Coxsackie Virus

[Squirrel]

Has anybody had this virus before?

How long did you not train and what effect did it have on your fitness when you started training again??

 

I had it two years ago. I had 3 of the six strains. Was feeling very tiered and usually after 2-3hr training sessions ended with mild flu/colds. Not great when training for Iroman or Comrades.

 

Was out of action for 8 months. Can get very nasty and effect the heart. My doc put me on a cortisone based tab for a month and prescribed a schedule 5 multi-vit for the tieredness (Geri-Complex). Also dosed myself with Moducare as per his advice. ( All athletes that uses Moducare must get them from the local HIV Aids centers, pharmacies ± R30-R50 more expensive)

 

Was told that it always stays with us and that most endurance athletes have this with-out knowing. All you can do is eat right and know when to back off a bit.

 

I got back into training with the usual unfit feeling but for the last two years all fine. Ran Comrades last year again. Half -Ironman this year and Cape-Epic soon.

 

Best advice is get your doc to asses the situation. Did you have blood tests to confirm this?

 

Hope all goes well.

[EpicRider]

not intended as a joke, just think the name could have been a bit....user friendly?

 

[Wheelsuck]

@Reservechick...yep one of the extreme side affects is encaphilitis.

[ReserveChick]

@Reservechick...yep one of the extreme side affects is encaphilitis.

 

extremely scary - was so out of it for 2 weeks

 

the lesson I've learnt during this frustrating time + it was highlighted so clearly in January - your health is important + you've got to listen to your body when it's telling you to slow down, else you land up doing more damage! I've just started doing some moderate exercise again...going to keep things chilled for a while - enjoying the fresh air + sunshine...focusing on having fun and forgetting about racing this year!

 

@Wheelsuck... happy pedalling @ 60% ... @ least you are still doing what you love Once you fully recovered you can push the limits again

[avalanx]

Hey everyone,

 

I have had coxsackie now since June last year (2011). I have been off my bike since then and I'm still struggling with the virus . I was diagnosed with serotypes b2 and b5. At first it was basically like having the flu for about a month straight, then it just turned into extreme fatigue and weakness, eventually heart symptoms started appearing and have slowly become more prevalent. I was making steady progress in terms of the fatigue, but I am very sick again now.

 

The I went to see a doctor in Johannesburg, Dr Routenbach at NHC Bryanston, who is actually just my GP. He immediately diagnosed me with coxsackie which the blood tests confirmed. He also told me a wouldn't be able to do any training for another year(since August 2011). Although I have attempted some light non-cardio training which seem to only aggravate things.

Not sure if I should see someone else perhaps a cardiologist?

 

I am really desperate and frustrated at this stage, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Shebeen]

 

The virus is most frequently distributed via the fecal-oral route

my latin is pretty ***, but that's pretty gross.

[Wayne Potgieter]

Jees...rough.

 

Hope you all recover quickly.

 

What other symptoms are you guys experiencing?

[Caerus]

Hey everyone,

 

I have had coxsackie now since June last year (2011). I have been off my bike since then and I'm still struggling with the virus . I was diagnosed with serotypes b2 and b5. At first it was basically like having the flu for about a month straight, then it just turned into extreme fatigue and weakness, eventually heart symptoms started appearing and have slowly become more prevalent. I was making steady progress in terms of the fatigue, but I am very sick again now.

 

The I went to see a doctor in Johannesburg, Dr Routenbach at NHC Bryanston, who is actually just my GP. He immediately diagnosed me with coxsackie which the blood tests confirmed. He also told me a wouldn't be able to do any training for another year(since August 2011). Although I have attempted some light non-cardio training which seem to only aggravate things.

Not sure if I should see someone else perhaps a cardiologist?

 

I am really desperate and frustrated at this stage, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

So sorry to hear, a good mate of mine had it, he has not been able to ride for over two years now. I hope you come right

['Dale]

haha! Sorry but I thought u spelled c*$ksucker wrong.....think a few people will comment on that

 

You dirty mind you!

[willemiventer]

have you had it since November last year??

do you still get the chest pains as well??

I am doing the IM in 6 weeks!

 

Hi Epic,

 

Speak to your doctor or a specialist, this virus is quite serious, you might have to cancel your IM, the virus can cause permanent heart muscle damage, my doc told me not to exercise until my count decreased to a certain level, 2 months down the line and my count is down to 10.

[gogo@]

eventually heart symptoms started appearing and have slowly become more prevalent.

 

... light non-cardio training which seem to only aggravate things.

Not sure if I should see someone else perhaps a cardiologist?

 

I am really desperate and frustrated at this stage, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, this really sucks... what cardio symptoms are you experiencing?

I'm responding because I had myocarditis (acute but mild, but that's a pretty relative statement) after what was probably a cocksackie infection. It didn't mess around and went straight for my heart (or rather, it seems to be an immune response that 'mistakes' myocardial tissue for the virus) and did the chronic fatigue thing as well.

What happens is it's as if the heart muscle is 'strained' - cannot function properly so various types of overcompensation occur - like raised pulse and enlarged ventricles.

Took me some months to get over properly - the acute phase lasted about 6-8 weeks.

You obviously watch your resting heart rate... DON'T do any kind of exercise if that is significantly raised (5-10%) and watch it when you are exercising. Though, seriously, you should have an ECG to see what's happening. This will tell how well the ventricles are coping. There's also a blood test or two that indicates if you have any tissue damage. Your heart just HAS to rest...

I can go on a bit. This was a really horrible experience for me because I kept trying to go on as 'normal' but just not cycling. Weight lifting however light is totally out as it does load your heart. I found lifting things or walking was even too much!

My advice is definitely go see a cardiologist if you can and at the very least get an ECG from your GP.

The other thing is everyone is different. Sounds trite but docs try to apply a general picture to you but there will be variations so you have to use what you can observe about yourself along with what your doc can figure out... This is important when you're training because it's you who's monitoring your body. A heart rate monitor is an absolute must but I'm sure you're using one already?

Also, keep doing what you can to support your immune system, and REST.

Hope you come right soon.

[Delgado]

 

 

Hi Epic,

 

Speak to your doctor or a specialist, this virus is quite serious, you might have to cancel your IM, the virus can cause permanent heart muscle damage, my doc told me not to exercise until my count decreased to a certain level, 2 months down the line and my count is down to 10.

My brother picked it up which he presumes was in a hospital as he works there. He had an 8 hour heart op on Monday for repairs. Had he not stopped exercising he no doubt would have had an annuerism.

[Caerus]

My brother picked it up which he presumes was in a hospital as he works there. He had an 8 hour heart op on Monday for repairs. Had he not stopped exercising he no doubt would have had an annuerism.

 

Hectic, all the best for your brothers recovery

[avalanx]

Hi there, this really sucks... what cardio symptoms are you experiencing?

I'm responding because I had myocarditis (acute but mild, but that's a pretty relative statement) after what was probably a cocksackie infection. It didn't mess around and went straight for my heart (or rather, it seems to be an immune response that 'mistakes' myocardial tissue for the virus) and did the chronic fatigue thing as well.

What happens is it's as if the heart muscle is 'strained' - cannot function properly so various types of overcompensation occur - like raised pulse and enlarged ventricles.

Took me some months to get over properly - the acute phase lasted about 6-8 weeks.

You obviously watch your resting heart rate... DON'T do any kind of exercise if that is significantly raised (5-10%) and watch it when you are exercising. Though, seriously, you should have an ECG to see what's happening. This will tell how well the ventricles are coping. There's also a blood test or two that indicates if you have any tissue damage. Your heart just HAS to rest...

I can go on a bit. This was a really horrible experience for me because I kept trying to go on as 'normal' but just not cycling. Weight lifting however light is totally out as it does load your heart. I found lifting things or walking was even too much!

My advice is definitely go see a cardiologist if you can and at the very least get an ECG from your GP.

The other thing is everyone is different. Sounds trite but docs try to apply a general picture to you but there will be variations so you have to use what you can observe about yourself along with what your doc can figure out... This is important when you're training because it's you who's monitoring your body. A heart rate monitor is an absolute must but I'm sure you're using one already?

Also, keep doing what you can to support your immune system, and REST.

Hope you come right soon.

 

Thanks for the comprehensive response.

 

Basically I can feel my heartbeat all the time it feels like my heart is beating harder than it ussually does, at times my stomach and entire torso bounces up and down to my heart beat. Even pressing my finger down on a table or something allows me to clearly feel my heart beat. My resting heart rate went from 53 to about 74 and at a stage in December it was almost in the 80's. It is very inconsistent though, because even when I am sitting down it will jump from mid 60s to 90s even over 100 sometimes. The lightest exertion causes my heart to race and bounce(beat very hard). I also get pain in my chest which at times gets very bad, and breathing makes it worse(really freaks me out to be honest). Which is unussual because i have relativiely low blood pressure and normally a consistently low heart rate when resting.

 

I also tried to go on as normal in the festive season, except no cardio, it also didnt work out, seems to have made things worse.

 

I am not sure who I should see about it though, my GP says it just a problem with the electronic signals from my brain (vagus nerve) causing the irregular heart beat. He does however say that he is not completely sure.

 

Not sure who I should go see though, a sport physician or cardiologist? My GP never mentioned the whole viral count concept to me at all, i would really like to see a docter who has more experience in dealing with this kind of issue. Considering that I study at Stellenbosch, it would have to be a docter in Cape Town or around here somewhere.

 

Thanks for the advice.

@delgado best wishes for your bro!

[gogo@]

...I am not sure who I should see about it though, my GP says it just a problem with the electronic signals from my brain (vagus nerve) causing the irregular heart beat. He does however say that he is not completely sure.

 

Not sure who I should go see though, a sport physician or cardiologist?....

Your description of literally 'feeling' your heart beating too hard fits. I could see it!

It was difficult to find info on myocarditis but what I did find out was that it's most difficult to deal with in people who have a 'less severe' case of it. Some guys get a resting pulse of 220(!) and often land up in hospital but if they can avoid permanent damage they recover quickly and fully.

What worked for me was taking beta blockers. I think I was on them for a couple of weeks only and that mainly because I couldn't sleep due to jaw pain. Nuts, but the neural pathways that link brain to jaw and heart are shared. I didn't want to take medication but that was really dumb because the bb's slow your heart down and let it rest. I had the same erratic pulse you describe, in a similar range... and that went on for some months, but became less and less noticeable. Also had palpitations and very occasionally still do. I can now claim a HR 'max' of 240-something! Have it on my polar!!

Because you've had this for so long, I'm pretty sure you should see a cardiologist. The question I would think is whether what you're experiencing is due to an ongoing inflammation of the heart muscle (the underlying cause) or if it's compensation that can lead to long-term damage. Hopefully neither, and you just need to manage your recovery. Even your GP could do a stress-test ECG, or a resting one if he thinks that's safer. But this might not tell much either... that's the bummer. Sometimes there's not much for docs to go on except your description.

I was advised to start exercising again at very low heart rates - 50% HRR (using karvonnen formula) and building up slowly.

Definitely a good idea to go see a specialist physician if you can and get a referral to a cardiologist perhaps. Otherwise if money is an issue, try to find a GP who is interested in exercise physiology. I was lucky cos mine is a runner and has a strong interest in the heart. Even so, he kept saying it would take 6 weeks as if he was talking about a torn ligament - and it took MUCH longer... the issue is the underlying cause (the virus) and whether that's been sorted.

Please update on your progress... if you work out where the key problem lies, then you can make a plan for recovery. Immune support (try moducare?) and rest are key, I'd say, along with what a physician and cardiologist can tell you...

[Wheelsuck]

After having/living with this for 18 Months now here is my inputs:

Firtsly: Your Counts it should be below 40 to be acceptable.

The strains run from B1-B6 the more I press my Dr for explanantion on this the less Info I get, none of them are especially worse than others.

This virus just attacks anything that has weakness or is under stress, hence it's love for the heart.

My counts were at 640 for B2, B5, B6.

Decided I was not gonna stop and went to John Patricios for advice, training started at below 70% HRMax and I suffered, many days that I felt like just giving up. Ideally you should stop worrying and rest a lot but we all deal with things differently.

So I kept on Training and focussing on Building a super duper Immune system as this F#cker mutates and apparently hides in ur DNA, my GP who is quite clued up says that is why it so difficult for your body to destroy it, similarly if u have a stuffed up adrenal gland that does not help either.

 

So what did I do?

Kept on training at ;low intensity (Not advisable but that was my choice)

Got my Adrenal and Thyroid checked

 

Got the following medication:

• Colostrum Milk Chews (Similar to the Biestmilch that Macca usues)
  
• Adrenal Boost by Solal
  
• Co Enzyme Q10 for heart health, use Solal.
  
• Food Supplements: I use Aim Barley etc but there is also Green Vibrance
  
• Biobalance Immunova
  
• Sleep and rest as much as you can...nothing funny to clock 9hours sleep sometimes
  
• Monthly Immune Boosting Injection
  
• Eat Properly, lots of Veggies and the right food.
  

Finally if you are open to Complimentary medicine there is also SCIO.

 

When last checked my levels as down on one strain but the same on 2 others was still clocking 640's but I feel much better and did not get sick for 5 months.