Dizzy 20 minutes after moderate exercise

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I am a 30 year old woman in generally good health. I am an ex smoker (quit 3 years ago) and am within normal bmi.
I generally go for a run of around 2-3km 3 times a week (for the last 2 months or so).
This has been going well, and I do not find the exercise particularly difficult. I always do a 5 minute warm up walk, and 5-10 minute cool down walk, followed by stretches. I am not normally particularly out of breath when the run finishes, and I feel recovered 2-3 minutes into the cool down walk.
However, last week I went for a run, cooled down as normal, and then was doing stretches in the house when I started to feel odd. I suddenly got incredibly dizzy, my vision got a bit blurred, and I felt boiling hot. I was not breathing hard though at all. I felt as tho I was going to pass out at any second. I sat down and my arms felt like lead weights. I realised I wasn't breathing much at all, so forced myself to take several big deep breaths to try to increase oxygen intake. This seemed to work and I gradually recovered over the next 5 minutes or so. I had sweat straight through all of my clothes during this episode.
Went to doctors, who said Blood pressure was normal, so it was probably vaso vago (sorry if I spelt it wrong). He advised to slightly reduce the duration of exercise.
So, I cut my run in half, and did a 15 minute cool down walk. Felt fine, until I went in the house. I was stood still for about 5 minutes before I felt the dizziness and heat come rushing in. I pre-emptied it this time so immediately started deep breathing and walking around for approximately 30 seconds, and so this time the dizziness never came on full force.
I don't know what to do. Clearly my doctor doesn't think
There's anything wrong, but this cannot be right! I would understand if I was severely exerting myself, or if it happened immediately while our of breath, but these attacks are happening 15-20 minutes after I finish the run, and have only busy suddenly started happening. I have never felt like this before.
There is no pain with the dizziness.
Can you help?

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Type: Question • Score: 4 • Views: 5,606 • Replies: 9

[+3] - jespah - 02/28/2014Oh, I'm glad this topic came back up again, as I have one more tidbit. For anyone who suffers from dizziness (and these really should be in all homes, truth be told), get a grab bar for your...

Do you do the run dry, or sip water or some kind of energy drink during the run?

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@JW667,

Are you eating anything before and after exercise? It could be blood sugar imbalance. Try eating some protein before and after exercise.

Could also be symptoms of stroke or diabetes. Ask your doctor to perform a complete physical or refer you to someone who will work with you to investigate it. At the least, you should have a lab work up to check the nutrient and chemistry levels to rule out thyroid, anemia, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, etc.

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@JW667,

Ah, I get vasovagal responses, too.

They're eh ... fun. Not.

So! A few things I do. I try to stay hydrated, as in more hydrated than I probably need to be. Yes, I know where every bathroom is, or at least it seems that way.

I try to keep my temperature not too hot, particularly when exercising. I also can get red-faced when I work out so this helps to control that.

I think blood sugar is related to this, at least a bit. I snack during the day, not too much. Even a few grapes or almonds can help.

Overstimulus also seems to be related to it. We got out of an exciting basketball game once and I just had to sit somewhere, where there weren't a lot of sounds and flashing lights.

Finally, I also keep a cel phone with me when I run. Hey, you never know. And I have a RoadID on my sneakers. That way, in the event that I do pass out (I haven't but it does worry me a bit), at least someone can call 911 and the RoadID has my doctor's info and a way to contact my husband.

I am 51, and I'm overweight. I suppose those things aren't factors but I did want to let you know, in case you wonder if they are, they just might not be (age and weight).

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http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasovagal-syncope/basics/symptoms/con-20026900

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@JW667,

Simply, it could be something basic and as simple as dehydration..or fatigue or side-stitch (I don't think so based on your description). It should be explored further. You might have to go beyond your primary doctor.

You have not indicated your weight (whether or not your carrying more than 10-15 lbs extra), your climate you run in (if extreme) or running in a flat terrain.

I'm a former runner and cyclist so I've got some experience with such symptoms. Under a relatively lower demand such as this, some minor quickly passing symptoms can and often happen - especially when getting into condition. As you're a former smoker, you might see a few more symptoms than those that don't smoke, but they should pass quickly. if you're on the BC pill or certain birth control meds, that can make things a bit symptomatic. Do you have currently any blood pressure issues? Diabetes or low blood sugar?

Also cutting out caffeine could help you a little a bit. Insomnia and lack of rest or distress and anxiety can contribute with such side effects.

Personally, I'd go further and see a specialist. You can't be too careful when it comes to longer-lasting side effects as you have described. Make an appointment with your cardiologist. This is not written to alarm you. Forewarned is forearmed,

However, your primary care doctor possibly might not be doing enough. I've been in this situation and it was good that I pursued it further. Ultimately, early medical exploration with diagnostic testing may have saved my life. Cardiomyopathy (and arrhythmia) was detected early. I'm not saying you have it or anything even close. But testing for any appropriate possibilities and ruling them out might be prudent in a full checkup.

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In my cycling days on long bike rides I got "The Bonk" a few times which is what cyclists call low blood sugar.
It comes on pretty quick out of the blue, you're pedalling happily along then you get a hissing in the ears, spots before the eyes, break out in a hot sweat and develop a raging thirst and hunger and weakness in the limbs, so you have to stop and flop out on the grass verge to cram food and drink down your gullet to stop yourself fainting.
I wouldn't say it made me feel dizzy, just light-headed and dreamy.
20 minutes later you're right as rain and ready to pedal on.
There's no excuse for cyclists getting the Bonk, they should eat and drink regularly while pedalling, not a big meal, just a banana or choc bar and swig of lemonade every 10 miles but I must have forgot, duh..

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@JW667,

Yesterday I started working out. It's been years since I was last in a gym so I decided to take it easy and just do some walking on the treadmill. I walked for 30mins yesterday and when i go off I felt really dizzy. The same thing happen to today. Why would this be? She it be a concern I need to speak to my doctor about?

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I recommend having a stress test done. 15-25 minutes on a treadmill while wired up will eliminate a lot of guessing.

Joe(go now)Nation

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Oh, I'm glad this topic came back up again, as I have one more tidbit.

For anyone who suffers from dizziness (and these really should be in all homes, truth be told), get a grab bar for your shower or tub.

In 2010, I had fairly major surgery. Got home and the day I first showered after coming home, I had vasovagal syncope while in the shower. Having a grab bar made it so that I didn't fall and hit my head, and end up with something far more serious.

Get a grab bar.

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Dizzy 20 minutes after moderate exercise

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