Feeling faint after exercise

[Jessnc]

I will be making an appointment with my doctor to discuss this before I exercise again (I was going to go as a walk-in today, but alas, they are closed for the holiday weekend). I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or if anyone knows why this is happening to me.

I did a little biking, walking, and jogging today (for a total of about 15-20 minutes) and immediately after I stopped jogging and took up walking I began to feel very faint, everything got a little bright and a little clear, I felt nauseous, shaky and broke out in a cold sweat. I was in my driveway and honestly did not think I was going to make it back to my house to lay down and grab the phone, but thankfully I did make it. I laid down and within a few minutes the symptoms began to subside. I still feel a little shaky and nauseous, this happened about an hour and a half ago.

Now, this happened to me twice nine years ago when I was working out at the gym. I had a regular routine, warm-up, weights then cardio. The first time it happened I felt all of the same symptoms that I felt today, just a little more intense. Silly me, I was too embarrassed to ask someone to get help. It happened again, not long after, during a work out and after that I quit going to the gym because I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was eating well, drinking plenty of water, and had a normal work out routine.

I will definitely try to see my doctor this week, but in the meantime, I'm curious to know if others have any insight on this.

[wallycat]

Of course, go to your doctor.

I know when I get hypoglycemia (which is why I am low-carbing these days), I would get shakey, sweaty, disoriented...like a drug addict needing a fix or something. I would inhale some food and within 5 minutes, the symptoms subsided.

Maybe you were dehydrated and it was warm out (it is sweltering hot in the midwest).

Hope it is just a fluke and you were warm.
Best to you.

[DeeK]

I have had similar symptoms when working out really hard with my trainer.

I've started drinking green tea with a little agave syrup instead of plain water to keep my blood sugar levels even throughout my workout.

So far, I have NOT had a repeat of the symptoms.

Hope you are feeling better soon and can find a "fix" as easy. Will be sending good vibes your way.

[Robyn1007]

Absolutely see your doctor just in case but here are some thoughts:

1) Heat. I had a horrendous 3 mile run yesterday where I ended up having to find shade and sit down for a bit because it was my first 95 degree run for the season and it hurt, big time.

2) Hydration. Not just while you're working out but all day long. I have a goal of 2 liters a day whether I'm working out or not. If I am I tend to drink more.

3) Too hard for your fitness level. It is really easy to go out hard because you used to be able to do whatever you're doing at that level. Back off, you're better off being able to go longer at an easier level while you increase fitness.

4) Nutrition. As others mentioned if you are already low on sugars in your body you might experience some hypoglycemia symptoms. However, in general 15-20 minutes isn't enough to deplete your muscle's glycogen stores.

5) Inner ear issues. I have some issues from so many ear infections as a kid so that if I'm going very hard or am pretty warm and I stop suddenly I'll get a little dizzy. I usually find it does it less if I slow down more gradually.

Good luck and good job on getting out there!

[Jessnc]

Thanks everyone for the input and thank you for the encouragement. I want to get in shape so badly, but this certainly presents a bit of a challenge.

I should have added that about six months ago I tried to start a relatively easy exercise routine and gave up after about 3-4 weeks because I was getting heart palpitations during exercise and they eventually would last all day and it bothered me and worried me too much.

I felt a little sick and weak all day, but I could easily attribute most of that to anxiety. I was pretty scared not knowing if I was going to make it back to my house or collapse in my driveway. I'll call my doctor Tuesday to make an appointment so I can get to the bottom of this.

I have run in 90 degree weather before and experienced what happens when it is so hot that you shouldn't be exercising outdoors, but that felt like an obvious reason for my cold sweat then. It was in the upper 60's, lower 70's when I was out this morning. Blood sugar could have been the issue, I didn't eat before I went out because I wasn't hungry yet. Too hard for my fitness level could be possible too, I haven't been very active lately. My fear is that it is a heart or blood pressure thing, but I have a tendency to think the worst.

[Robyn1007]

It's easy to think the worst and I'm often one of those people as well although getting in shape has helped with some of that because I'm now better able to read my body and when it's just an excuse and when it really is a serious issue. I recently had a foot injury that threatened to take me out for the race I have schedule for Memorial Day. I've trained hard for this race, paid a coach to do my plans, attended every single group workout twice a week since March 8th and this stupid foot injury threatened to screw me. Fortunately, I listened to my body, went on the injured list, saw the PA at my work and spent more time icing my poor cold foot than I could imagine and it's back to feeling about 98%. If I hadn't listened I probably would have damaged it further and been out for this race and potentially much of the summer. You are right to listen, have it checked and then given the all clear move forward.

Try to write down everything you can think of that might have affected your situation. Temperature, nutrition, hydration, sleep, stress, exertion level, alcohol consumption the night before etc etc so that the doctor has as much information as possible to work with. If it continues, journal it every single time. If I were a betting person I would give it to a combination of nutrition, hydration and exertion.

I am one who has, like you, done exercise stints where I do it for a 1-4 months at a time then something gets in the way and I stop. This time something different happened and I have exercised regularly (ie 3-6 times per week) every week with the exception of a month when I had surgery since May of 2008. It feels fantastic to have made it part of my life. You'll get there. Something will switch for you. Please feel free to join us on the Virtual Running Buddies thread!

[wallycat]

I'm glad you are going.
Heart palpitations can be normal (not sure your age, but common as women reach peri-menopause), but they can also be very serious (and cause the fainting you described).
I'm glad you are going.
Once you get the go-ahead you will feel so much better.

When I was in my 20's I would get pain in my upper left area after 10 mile runs. I finally decided not to dismiss it and went. Sure, they looked at me like I was strange (20s...heart...??) but I wanted to be sure.
Turned out to be nothing but weird cramps/"stitches" higher than most hit. I could let go of the worry with the runs and enjoy them.

Best to you. Post back to let us know how you are doing!

[Anne]

Have you checked your blood pressure? I'm on meds for mine and finally figured out if I take aspirin and then eat something my bp really drops and I get light headed. It doesn't happen when I swim in the morning but can happen when I am working in the garden, hiking, or working on the woodpile. Sometimes I have to get down and flat very fast. I monitor closely now and have it under control.

[bugmenot]

You should indeed have your doctor look at it. However, there are two innocuous things that may contribute to this.

Low blood sugar from not enough carbohydrate is one. Fuel up a bit more before your exercise.

I'm a distance runner and if I stop suddenly after a hard run I feel faint.

This is due to the blood vessels dilating in the legs to push blood to the muscles. When you stop running after going hard such as just after the finish line on a tough race, the heart slows but gravity keeps the blood in your legs. Not enough blood gets to the brain and you feel faint. This is nature's way of getting you to lie down so that gravity isn't working against you. After a minute or two you'll usually recover if you just keep moving slowly. Walking it off usually works.

In extreme cases lie down and elevate your legs over your head by resting them against a wall or tree. You'll come around shortly.