Recent Medical Issues

imported
#1

In May-09 I went to the hospital for Atrial Fibrillation. I was planning on a thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail Jun-09. I had to cancel those plans. In Mar-10 my goal was to hike the PCT. On two occassions since the A-Fib issue, I trouble had with altitude in Desolution Wilderness & Lake Tahoe aborting the hike due to dizziness & shortness of breathe. I am really depress about this & have scheduled a consultation with a Cardiac Specialist.

My question is; is there anyone who can give me hope & share their experience with A-Fib who are long-distance hikers?

l gapinski

#2

Advice from non-MD’s who haven’t examined you is worth zilch. The fact that you’re having troubles strongly indicates that you have underlying conditions and need to work with the cardiac specialist to get a thorough diagnosis and, hopefully, treatment. If you can find a specialist who sympathizes with your need to get back on the trail, so much the better.

Best wishes for a full recovery–but it might take a while!

grannyhiker

#3

He wasn’t asking for advice. He was asking for hope and experiences.

I hope your consult with the cardiac specialist goes well and am wondering if high elevation makes your condition worse. That would be a good question to ask. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Apple Pie

#4

I have had this problem, the A fib, the dizziness, the weakness, and many other symptoms. These are symptoms of hypoglycemia which leads to low blood pressure, which causes the dizziness. You may need to eat a better diet, cutting back on the high simple carbs. Billy Goat and I both eat a complex carb diet, he for borderline diabetes, I for hypoglycemia. Check my journal 2005 April 16 to see how the Billy Goat eats on the trail. He never gets the junk from convenience stores. He gets salmon, chicken and lots of fresh vegies when he hits town. A basis for his meals are beans, high in fiber and protein both of which slow down the entry of carbs into the blood stream to prevent an episode of hypoglycemia. Try eating healthier. PS. A medicaal doctor does not believe in and will not be able to diagnose hypoglycemia. Been there, done that,

Meadow Mary

#5

There are all kinds of fears that we should be working on to overcome, death, hiking, etc. One day you will leave here, so just get out there and do it. You might get better.

Hoka-hey