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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
Hello all,
I am painfully aware of all the research that shows how exercise is beneficial in many areas, including mental health.
My beef with exercise is that it makes *me* feel like crap! This is why I have not been able to stick to an exercise plan - I seem to get a surge of anxiety and panicky feelings a couple hours after running or lifting weights. I have often wondered if this is due to lactic acid buildup occurring after exercise, as lactic acid infusions have been used experimentally to induce panic attacks!
I look pretty decent, not at all overweight, so I'm not interested in exercise to lose weight. It's just something I'd like to work into an overall lifestyle.
But it doesn't seem worth getting panic attacks over, as these are detrimental to my mental health as well (which, to me is more important than my physical condition).
Anybody else get this? I feel like the oddball, because exercise is supposed to make you feel so good. Any stories, suggestions? Any response would be appreciated. I don't want to live a couch potato lifestyle if there is any way around it.
Thanks!
Matt
Posted by galkeepinon on October 5, 2003, at 21:31:01
In reply to Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
Hi Matt, I get the same feelings. When I exercise, I almost feel 'ill' like maybe the toxins that are built up are trying to get out through my sweat! I get more anxious too, heart beats fast...I know it's *supposed* to but I don't like the feeling because I already deal with anxiety and feelings like that sometimes.
I know, I thought exercise was supposed to make one feel good too! Guess it makes me an oddball too.
Just my story...
Hang in there:-)
Kristen
> Hello all,
>
> I am painfully aware of all the research that shows how exercise is beneficial in many areas, including mental health.
>
> My beef with exercise is that it makes *me* feel like crap! This is why I have not been able to stick to an exercise plan - I seem to get a surge of anxiety and panicky feelings a couple hours after running or lifting weights. I have often wondered if this is due to lactic acid buildup occurring after exercise, as lactic acid infusions have been used experimentally to induce panic attacks!
>
> I look pretty decent, not at all overweight, so I'm not interested in exercise to lose weight. It's just something I'd like to work into an overall lifestyle.
>
> But it doesn't seem worth getting panic attacks over, as these are detrimental to my mental health as well (which, to me is more important than my physical condition).
>
> Anybody else get this? I feel like the oddball, because exercise is supposed to make you feel so good. Any stories, suggestions? Any response would be appreciated. I don't want to live a couch potato lifestyle if there is any way around it.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Matt
Posted by Emme on October 5, 2003, at 21:41:26
In reply to Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
Here's a story. I went on a hiking/camping trip a while back and over the course of about 2 and a half days I hiked 20 miles or so in the mountains. After I got back I was miserable for a week or so with really nasty physical anxiety symptoms - feeling very revved up, anxious, fast pulse, and generally cruddy. I went to my internist and she couldn't find anything to explain it. My blood sugar was slightly low, but that was okay next time it was tested. Regular workouts aren't a problem for me though. But I was interested to see your post because I haven't seen anyone else mention panicky feelings as a result of exercise.
Emme
> Hello all,
>
> I am painfully aware of all the research that shows how exercise is beneficial in many areas, including mental health.
>
> My beef with exercise is that it makes *me* feel like crap! This is why I have not been able to stick to an exercise plan - I seem to get a surge of anxiety and panicky feelings a couple hours after running or lifting weights. I have often wondered if this is due to lactic acid buildup occurring after exercise, as lactic acid infusions have been used experimentally to induce panic attacks!
>
> I look pretty decent, not at all overweight, so I'm not interested in exercise to lose weight. It's just something I'd like to work into an overall lifestyle.
>
> But it doesn't seem worth getting panic attacks over, as these are detrimental to my mental health as well (which, to me is more important than my physical condition).
>
> Anybody else get this? I feel like the oddball, because exercise is supposed to make you feel so good. Any stories, suggestions? Any response would be appreciated. I don't want to live a couch potato lifestyle if there is any way around it.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Matt
Posted by poop'd-out on October 6, 2003, at 14:51:06
In reply to Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
I don't get anxiety, but it sure stirs up my rage when I start to exercise. I feel your frustration, exercise is supposed to calm you and make you feel better!! I have had some luck with starting extremely slowly.
Try brisk walking for a week or so and then move up to running and more intense work-outs. If you are like me you will still feel some discomfort but it should be less and less the longer(period of time) you work out. I 'think' if you stick with it for at least 30 days or so the anxiety will get better! Treat it like SE's from meds, you just work through it to get to the benefits. My problem is that as soon as I start to feel better I end up getting sick or some other crap like that, and I have to start all over again!
Yea!!
Just a thought, it has worked for me, hope it works for you!Beth
> Hello all,
>
> I am painfully aware of all the research that shows how exercise is beneficial in many areas, including mental health.
>
> My beef with exercise is that it makes *me* feel like crap! This is why I have not been able to stick to an exercise plan - I seem to get a surge of anxiety and panicky feelings a couple hours after running or lifting weights. I have often wondered if this is due to lactic acid buildup occurring after exercise, as lactic acid infusions have been used experimentally to induce panic attacks!
>
> I look pretty decent, not at all overweight, so I'm not interested in exercise to lose weight. It's just something I'd like to work into an overall lifestyle.
>
> But it doesn't seem worth getting panic attacks over, as these are detrimental to my mental health as well (which, to me is more important than my physical condition).
>
> Anybody else get this? I feel like the oddball, because exercise is supposed to make you feel so good. Any stories, suggestions? Any response would be appreciated. I don't want to live a couch potato lifestyle if there is any way around it.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Matt
Posted by johnj on October 6, 2003, at 17:29:55
In reply to Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
Hello Matt:
After a long absence I am back on the net, and your situation is exactly what I have been working on. First, if you are lucky, your pdoc will agree that excercise can bring on anxiety/panic. If he/she is like mine, they will look at you clueless because they have stopped doing their homework.
After starting to go to the local university's anixety clinic they gave me literature to read about panic. My first question was about excercise causing my anxiety and the counselor said it was not uncommon in the least bit. I have only managed to do tai-chi and we are working on slowly getting my system integrated into a workout routine and then, we hope, I will start having the positive effects of excercise which will help eliminate stress.
It is so easy to let yourself make a connection from the physical feelings from excercise and panic. I think it is a long road, but doable. Just don't workout to the point of getting sore. Baby steps are in order for people like us. With tai-chi I am getting excercise but not getting my heart pumping so much...that will come later. I have had some setbacks, but I try to see them for what they are, and for me, that is very very hard.
I miss my old hard workouts and it gets me really down when I cannot do them like I used to but I have to work at what I can, not what I can't. Hope I can return to my martial arts roots like I did 15 years ago really tugs at my heart. My old teacher from Japan was here recently and it really made me long for those days. Some day I will be back, but not just tomorrow. Go slow and don't fight the feelings. Even if it is only doing 10 situps to start with. I think the body can be reintroduced and kind of hardened to it eventually. take care and keep us posted
Johnj
Posted by craig allen on October 6, 2003, at 19:41:17
In reply to Re: Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by johnj on October 6, 2003, at 17:29:55
i too have experienced a noticable increase in my rage and irritability during exercise. it doesn't always happen, but it happens enough that it is a problem. when i've mentioned that to docs or friends, they don't get it. like it's an excuse to not exercise. i've never heard anyone else mention it though, so, thanks.
Posted by mattdds on October 6, 2003, at 22:44:01
In reply to Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
Hello all,
Thanks for all the suggestions, stories, and support! I came back to a nice surprise after starting the thread.
I have gathered a few good pieces of advice. I liked what johnj said about it being like a medication (and studies show it certainly acts like one).
This being so, perhaps I have, in the past, started at too high a "dose", and not endured the
"side-effects".I forget who said it, but I liked the idea of doing small, but consistent exercises - even 10 pushups, even though that would not be considered a workout to most. Heck, even if you don't become totally ripped off 10 pushups, at least it's a start and perhaps more importantly, an exercise in "putting the horse before the cart", as cognitive therapists might say.
But yes, I miss being able to go into a gym and start out bench pressing at 190 or 200!
For now, I'm off to do my 10 pushups, situps and jumping jacks! LOL. Maybe after a week, I'll raise the dose to 11. Over a lifetime, perhaps I could buid up to 50 or so!
Thanks again everyone!
Matt
Posted by Patient on October 9, 2003, at 12:25:36
In reply to Exercise-induced anxiety? Any suggestions?, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 20:51:23
Hello,
The anxiety may be from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Make sure you eat a balanced breakfast at least 3 hours before exercising, drink lots of water during exercise, and afterward, eat a complex carbohydrate snack like WASA crispbread, homemade popcorn (not microwave kind), and also include raw seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and soy nuts. If you feel better after drinking a sugary drink when these anxiety feelings occur after exercise, then suspect hypoglycemia. Make sure you eat several quality small meals a day instead of 2 or 3 traditional large meals a day. Nutritional yeast or brewer's yeast taken a half hour before exercise may be very helpful as well. I like nutritional yeast for it only takes one tablespoon mixed in a glass of water, and it tastes better than brewer's yeast. Spirulina tablets or powder may also be taken half-hour before workout. Take it easy, and don't work out too vigourously. A bowl of cereal with milk a couple hours before a workout isn't enough for the demands of excercise.
I wouldn't waste money on a glucose tolerance test (GTT) to indicate hypoglycemia-many people have symptoms of hypoglycemia even though the results of a GTT are within normal limits. Hypoglycemia is most commonly caused by an inadequate diet that includes eating large quantities of simple carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks, and insufficient amounts of complex carbohydrates and quality protein.
This is the end of the thread.
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