Search found 589 matches

by Claireysmurf
28 Oct 2017, 9:25pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hypertension
Replies: 41
Views: 5373

Re: Hypertension

I'm on 10mg Amlodipine. When i first started taking it last year, i felt awful. Really odd. Struggle to describe how I felt, but included dizziness and nausea. I seem to have a lot of back ache and a touch of sciatica and think it's party weight gain but do wonder if it's exacerbated by the Amlodipine.
by Claireysmurf
26 Oct 2017, 12:00am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hypertension
Replies: 41
Views: 5373

Re: Hypertension

I'm always late with replies, sorry.
I now take Amlodipine and Ramipril and my BP at the GP's surgery was 138/80 this morning which is ok but probably not as good as it could be.
I don't seem to cycle much if at all. A bout of depression has made it feel hard to get on a bike and a move to Bromsgrove in Worcestershire hasn't helped. Whilst the local countryside is amazing, many of the local roads aren't great for functional cycling.
I have just bought a smart-ish turbo trainer but am finding that very difficult. It's an Elite Real Muin Smart Turbo B+ and resistance feels high. So far, I have only managed 10 minutes at a time.
I feel very unfit and stuff. It seems such a shame that I have lost my cycling mojo, but am hoping
by Claireysmurf
22 Sep 2017, 10:37am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Coccyx Pain
Replies: 8
Views: 3371

Re: Coccyx Pain

I fell down the stairs a few years ago and occasionally have coccyx pain. I find it comes back with a vengeance when I haven't been exercising much. Squats and lunges really help.
by Claireysmurf
15 Jul 2016, 8:33pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hypertension
Replies: 41
Views: 5373

Re: Hypertension

I've really cut down on coffee.
My cholesterol is 4.5, blood sugar was 4.5 when tested. I am a stress head and overweight
I've just come back from an A&E visit for my partner's boy (broken finger) and my BP is 200/110 medicated.
by Claireysmurf
15 Jul 2016, 12:50pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hypertension
Replies: 41
Views: 5373

Re: Hypertension

My BP has come down and when I am relaxed it is about 135/75 in the evenings.
I took my daughter's friend home by bike today. I did the 1.5 mile return trip pretty briskly this morning and took my BP as soon as I got in - 175/107 with a pulse of 101. Should this be a concern-online stuff suggests the bottom figure shouldn't rise during exercise and whether this is symptoms deeper issues. I really want to get back to pushing hard on a bike.

I also have facial flushing, palpitations and feel exhausted. A change of meds may be on the cards.
by Claireysmurf
10 Jul 2016, 11:14pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hypertension
Replies: 41
Views: 5373

Re: Hypertension

I understand the ban is until my BP is more normal.

The information posted is very useful, thanks.

I am quite stressed at the moment as I am about to move home to a different area and my job finishes this week. I suspect that the cycling ban is self defeating as it seems to have been the main thing to cut through anxiety and mild depression. Clearly I don't want to damage myself or have a stroke so I will comply.

I have only recently started riding with a ladies' road bike group and have found it intense but great. I may have a bit of an issue truly ambling along, but maybe I need to learn.
by Claireysmurf
10 Jul 2016, 7:59pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Hypertension
Replies: 41
Views: 5373

Hypertension

I'm currently being treated for hypertension. I'm 46, maybe a couple of stone overweight. Morning BP is typically C. 200/100 and 190/90 in the evening. Highest I have seen on a home monitor is 260/160!
I am currently banned from cycling by the GP and she wants me to keep my heart to maximum 60bpm (resting heart rate is typically 50-55).
I have been prescribed Amlodipine 5mg then upped to 10mg but it hasn't really come down.
I have had loads of blood tests and an ECG and all fine.
I feel I have had the rug pulled from under me. Cycling is functional travel, a hobby and an amazing head-clearer.

Any wise words please?
Claire
by Claireysmurf
30 Oct 2015, 8:53pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Buying a Brompton - any bargain opportunities ?
Replies: 13
Views: 5965

Re: Buying a Brompton - any bargain opportunities ?

I bought a new Brompton last weekend. Je James had a small number in stock with only one reduced IIRC.
Brompton seem to be pushing towards built to order. My S6L in white with extended seat post and firm suspension block was a lucky find. I didn't fancy a six week wait
by Claireysmurf
13 Jul 2015, 1:11pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycling from Paddington to Hackney this Saturday
Replies: 9
Views: 3274

Re: Cycling from Paddington to Hackney this Saturday

Sounds like you did the Dunwich Dynamo
by Claireysmurf
13 Jul 2015, 1:09pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Morris Minors
Replies: 114
Views: 12878

Re: Morris Minors

I have had a Morris Minor. The 1956 (I think) onwards models are very useable and are cheap to run as long as you keep on top of maintenance. Bags of period charm, lots of spares available.
by Claireysmurf
22 Jun 2015, 4:46pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Carrera Crixus impressed
Replies: 10
Views: 2133

Re: Carrera Crixus impressed

I recently trashed the 5700 (105 10 speed) medium cage derailleur on my road bike and it cost me £22.50 to replace. I think a Di2 Dura Ace rear derailleur is £360...
by Claireysmurf
22 Jun 2015, 4:40pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Carrera Crixus impressed
Replies: 10
Views: 2133

Re: Carrera Crixus impressed

All my bikes are appropriate for me :)
I had never envisaged riding 64 miles on an inexpensive bike and having a reasonable time
by Claireysmurf
22 Jun 2015, 4:06pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Carrera Crixus impressed
Replies: 10
Views: 2133

Re: Carrera Crixus impressed

I understand that the frame is a Merida one. It will take mudguards and a rack.
The groupset is Claris 8 speed. A bit clunky after Ultegra and 105 but good enough. Stable at 60kmh downhill yesterday with a pannier and a bar bag and the 38mm tyres handled the ridiculously gravelly bit of NCN 4 closecto Severn Tunnel Junction station.
The 54cm.frame fits me well but the bars are too wide and the stem too long. I am an Amazon and man fit bikes normally do me fine.
I had a Kona Dew hybrid a couple of years ago that I bought for £300ish that underwhelmed me but I bought back after selling it.
Is it all too easy to get bogged down in bike snobbery?
by Claireysmurf
22 Jun 2015, 2:07pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Carrera Crixus impressed
Replies: 10
Views: 2133

Carrera Crixus impressed

My other half lives in Bristol and so I bought a new Carrera Crixus (a Halfords cyclo-cross bike that cost me £225) to keep there. As a spur of the moment thing we cycled to Cardiff yesterday. A 64 mile trip including getting lost. It was definitely a different experience to using my Croix de Fer or road bike but it did the job really well.
Have I been too much of a bike snob regarding it as a town bike only?
by Claireysmurf
28 Jan 2015, 5:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Dipping my toe into a tandem
Replies: 23
Views: 3232

Re: Dipping my toe into a tandem

Bonefishblues wrote:Can I ask whereabouts you are based?


Near Cardiff but am often in Bristol.