Thanks, Chest Pains, for Banning Me From Running
This Saturday, a certain marathon runner (that would be me) is not running 22 miles. Nope, no heavy mileage training runs for me.In fact, I'm not running or engaging in any form of strenuous exercise at all until further notice. As much as it pains me to admit it, it's the doctor's orders.
Why the doctored-ordered cessation of all physical activity?
Monday night I headed to the gym after work and I decided to put in a few easy miles on the treadmill. Mile one felt fine. Mile two was great... until around mile 2.5 when I started feeling dizzy and breaking out into a cold sweat.
I slowed down a bit, but by mile 2.8, I had to call it a wrap. I thought I was going to faint so I grabbed the bar in the front of the treadmill-which happened to read my heart rate. I clocked in at 173-which would be great if I was 10 years old.
I went and sat my behind down in the reception area. That's when the actor that played the Candyman walked in. Freaky!
I didn't even say "Candyman" three times but weird stuff started happening. I began having shooting pains going up my left arm, across my shoulder and, ta-da, sharp stabbing pains on the left side of my chest.
I felt so awful, I actually let my husband-officially known as the world's worst driver-take the wheel on the way home. Once home, the pain got worse-and I decided to go to sleep.
Why didn't I go to the ER? One, I hate going to the doctor or engaging with medical professionals of any time. Two, I was NOT about to pay for the cost of visiting an ER only to have them tell me to go home and chill out.
Nevermind that they could've possibly said, "Ma'am, you're having a heart attack." Nope, I went to sleep and promised myself that if things weren't feeling all that great on Tuesday, I'd take myself over to UCLA Medical Center and get checked out.
Sure enough, guess where I ended up on Tuesday? Yup, at the doctor's office, freaked out that maybe I really was having a heart attack since I was still having pains in my arm and chest.
I had an EKG-which would not be fun if you're a guy with a hairy chest. Ouch. The results are OK, but I have to go back and do a treadmill test since I experienced pain AFTER exertion.
Why couldn't I do the treadmill test yesterday? Oh, because I have an HMO and I have to get approval from the health insurance company first. Yup.
Raise your hand if you believe insurance companies don't control health care.
In the meantime, I'm banned from exercise. No 22 mile run for me. I'm pretty depressed over that. But, I guess it's better to be safe than dead at mile 11.5.
Sigh. Thanks, Candyman, for putting your evil curse on me! May it be undone soon.
Comments
It'll be a shame if you have to give up the distance-running, but health is more important than clocking up the miles.
Get well soon. You got running to do!
It is scary. I'm trying to schedule the test now but am getting the run-around over the authorization. It's VERY frustrating.
K.Rock,
He did! He did! See, I knew the Candyman did it! ;)
Remnants,
I hope it does too. I really really do.
Jen,
Well,it's been all week and the pains haven't gone away. BUT they haven't gotten worse. Thank you, God, for that.
Jameil,
I am glad too. I felt so awful I didn't even notice his driving.
Annette,
Trying not to stress is so hard for me. I'm stressed out trying to get the insurance authorization to the appropriate office! UGH!
Noooo to the wheatgrass! ;)
1969,
ugh, the short version is that last week I had almost every symptom of experiencing cardiac arrest. I have one more test to go through, and then they'll know for sure that I'm OK. Fingers crossed.