On the road to recovery

[Mick F]

......... but it's a long, slow road.

A few posts about my "malaise" on the Flue Jab section.
It's been months. October was the start.
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=133166

Antibiotics and steroids, a stronger inhaler, ears syringed, Sudafed .............
Been to the "health" centre twice, and another appointment later this morning.

Head feels like it's full of cotton wool. Ears are probably clear of wax, but it's inside that aches, and my ears pop when I swallow or blow my nose.
The cold I've been suffering from is almost gone, and I feel well. It's just the cotton wool that is horrible.

Tried a bike ride yesterday morning, and I set out with a will for a hilly 25miler. By the time I'd climbed out of the valley on the English side ........ which would normally take me 16 to 19 minutes .......... took me 25 and I felt knackered.
I changed my plans and headed for Tavistock less than five miles from home ......... normally takes 25mins ........... took me 35mins.
I sat down in Bedford Square for a while, then headed home, very very depressed.

I thought I was well.
I obviously am not, hence the appointment this morning.

Got the rollers out just now. Off I went expecting to do a 20mins session like I've often done, but 10mins was more than enough.

I know that many of us on this forum - especially we in the older age group - have had a tough winter. I know I'm not alone.

It's going to be a long road.

[Gearoidmuar]

When you're off the bike for a while this approach will best serve you.
Throw away the watch.
Go for really effortless cycles. Short.
Do this every day or every second day if too tired.
If you've a pulse meter keep pulse under say 110 until you start to get faster at this.
Ignore speed.
You'll get fit much faster taking it easy.

[Cugel]

......... but it's a long, slow road.

A few posts about my "malaise" on the Flue Jab section.
It's been months. October was the start.
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=133166

Antibiotics and steroids, a stronger inhaler, ears syringed, Sudafed .............
Been to the "health" centre twice, and another appointment later this morning.

Head feels like it's full of cotton wool. Ears are probably clear of wax, but it's inside that aches, and my ears pop when I swallow or blow my nose.
The cold I've been suffering from is almost gone, and I feel well. It's just the cotton wool that is horrible.

Tried a bike ride yesterday morning, and I set out with a will for a hilly 25miler. By the time I'd climbed out of the valley on the English side ........ which would normally take me 16 to 19 minutes .......... took me 25 and I felt knackered.
I changed my plans and headed for Tavistock less than five miles from home ......... normally takes 25mins ........... took me 35mins.
I sat down in Bedford Square for a while, then headed home, very very depressed.

I thought I was well.
I obviously am not, hence the appointment this morning.

Got the rollers out just now. Off I went expecting to do a 20mins session like I've often done, but 10mins was more than enough.

I know that many of us on this forum - especially we in the older age group - have had a tough winter. I know I'm not alone.

It's going to be a long road.

Consider the effects of the smoke and gases coming off your woodstove. Those things are highly injurious to the health, especially that of a gimmer! Folk don't realise that the leakage of gases and particles into the home are 20X as bad as the stuff in the outdoors from the chimney smoke, wafted up the nostril . The chimney smoke is diluted before it gets to your lung. The inside gases are not.

Some of these gases, particularly the CO, are odourless and only detectable by your feelings of malaise and confusion. Of course, being confused and tired-oot means you don't notice the cause. Have you got a CO detector in the room wherein lives the wood burner?

Cugel

Cugel

[Marcus Aurelius]

Make sure your wood burner’s chimney / flue is clear, CO is very sneaky stuff, but if it is causing you issues, it should be fairly obvious, by the appearance of your gums ( they go much red er than normal if you’re getting CO poisoning ). It sounds like the medics have covered most bases, regarding most of your symptoms. Obviously I don’t have your full history, but from what you say, mild sinusitis may be part of the issue as well. It sounds like the medics are doing what they can, I hope it gets better for you.

[Cyril Haearn]

Are there any easy fairly flat rides near you?
Best not to think about speed and time, or you could try upgrading to kilometres

[PDQ Mobile]

Mick your fitness level will have gone down after all that time. Throw in a respiratory problem and it's something of a "perfect storm" when you get back on the bike.
Age is a factor too.
The sad thing about fitness is that it declines somewhat more quickly than it builds, especially with age.

But.
You are robust and determined, love your bike and your lanes.
Your fitness will surely return I think.
Short rides to start with and build it up.
Days are getting longer and there are flowers in the verges (as well as litter!).

Mould spores are very bad for respiratory conditions. This mild damp winter is a perfect place for high concentrations.
Hard to avoid but inside the house is a place to start.

[mjr]

I wonder if you're noticing any deterioration after your fortnightly injection. I get the sniffles after every one and I've had my ears syringed for the first time ever this winter. I'd check the side effects in the leaflet and ask the specialist.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

Are there any easy fairly flat rides near you?
Best not to think about speed and time, or you could try upgrading to kilometres

Old Mick lives in a very steep valley, Welsh ones are nothing in comparison, I've driven through a few times went on holiday but I've never stopped there, Mick's probably the only one who gets out of the valley under his own steam

[Cyril Haearn]

I thought so, never been to Cornwall
Might be worth getting the train to somewhere easier to cycle

[al_yrpal]

Its about 4 weeks since the 'flu' virus or whatever got me. I have only managed one decent walk, one decent ride and a 5 mile electric ride this morning but I have a clear chest now with no cough. Longest illness ever I think.
I would think Mrs Mick would be out of sorts too if there was ever an enviromental issue in Micks place.
Loads of people have had this sort of thing this winter.

Perhaps the answer is Torremolinos Mick?

Viva España!

Al

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I'm not feeling 100% myself either
Managed to escape that three week cold over Christmas, Even though her indoors had it.
just this week I'm struggling to maintain 300 W on the turbo, last year I could do nearly 350.
I'm not right and I put it down to the medication, Nearly climbed off the turbo last night For the second time this week.
Just replace the bearings in the rotor, last night I checked and it was a bit tight, shimmed it a bit and is now better, but still feel like CR a P.

[Mick F]

Thanks guys!

Not the woodburner, or the solid fuel stove either.
It's the dreaded lurgy. Loads of people with it, but it's hit me harder than most.

Saw the doc.
Right ear has wax in it, but it's soft coz I'm drip-feeding it with olive oil. Got to keep on with that.
Left ear is clear, but the ear canal is very infected. Been given an antibiotic ear spray .....Otomize Ear Spray.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/22/smpc
One squirt in there, three time as a day for a week/ten days. If no better, or gets worse, go back and they'll probably refer me to an ENT specialist.

Meanwhile, my plan is the take the cycling easy. Little and often, and short sessions on the rollers.
Softly softly catchee monkey.

I need to emigrate to somewhere warm and dry. Benidorm is nice, and Malta too.

[Paulatic]

Sounds as if it could be sinuses to me. My solution has always been sauna/ steam room and funnily enough it’s always been January to March.

*****Warning*******
Gross alert!,


I do my own ears now and find I need to do them around 3x a yr. Did them last week and I hadn’t bothered softening with oil for a few days. Amazing I delivered two pea sized balls of wax one from each ear and I didn’t even think one side was blocked.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Never used to have a problem when I was younger but I put it down to being an old fart like the rest of us
Doesn't help that I sweat a lot and I am Using earbuds on the turbo, I normally just direct the showerhead into my ears with hotter water.
Sometimes something black comes out like said size of a P.

[Mick F]

Just been walking the dog. Couple of miles, so I’m not so ill that I’m house bound.
squashed.annoys.seemingly

Yes, I’m in a pub.
Just a couple and then home for lunch and another squirt into my ear.