My GERD and running

In my previous post, I mentioned about me having Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the acidified liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. 

I have tried to run several times around our village and have continued to experience chest pain that hinders me to run continuously. The burning sensation on my chest even radiates to my back and shoulders. I also felt some numbness on my head. It was really frustrating that I cannot even sustain a 500m continuous run. I just have to be contented in doing a brisk walk. In this manner I reduced the tightness that I felt in my chest. Have anyone of you experienced the same?

Last Saturday, 12 May 2012, I finally consulted a Gastroenterologist for medical intervention. I am now on my third day of taking Omeprazole daily 30 min to an hour before breakfast to control the acid reflux from my stomach. I will be taking this for at least a month before going back to my doctor. And as the doctor says, if symptoms persist endoscopy will be needed.  There’s also some diet restriction which includes tomato based foods, citrus fruits, chocolates and most especially coffee.  Eating small frequent meals is also suggested.

Hopefully, my conditions will be better in time for the Unilab Run United 2 which will be held on June 17 at SM Mall of Asia. Swthrt and I will run the 21K category which starts at the Bonofacio Global City and ends in SM MOA.

See you guys this coming June for the 2^nd leg of the Run United Series!

Running Nose

With just a week to go before the Condura Skyway Marathon, I’m here teary-eyed due to running nose. Yes, my nose took off ahead of me. For the past two days I have been video documenting a conference of GIS (Geographic Information System) users not only in the Philippines but with the countries in the Asia Pacific. It was held at EDSA Shangrila with about 800 stakeholders. I must have acquired those colds viruses, or the cold temperature at the session hall and at the exhibit area of the conference and fatigue must have lowered my body immune system. Anyway, I just hope and pray that this cold would not last long.

Green light to Run

One reason why I turned into running as a form of exercise is that, I was previously diagnosed of having ischemic heart problem. This is due to a very high cholesterol level which may cause blockage in my arteries. Another cause could be my sedentary lifestyle. Though I sometimes do field work, I spent most of my work in front of the computer. Since I started running in 2008, there were some changes in my daily routine. Physically, I have reduced in weight and inches in my waistline especially in the early stages of my running experience where I peak on my trainings. I made significant increase in my HDL (good cholesterol level) and lowered the bad ones. But recently, I experienced some heart palpitations and easily get tired again. This sent alarming signals which push me to visit a cardiologist. Laboratory test have been made to set a new baseline data and my doctor recommended me for a complete work-up to assess my heart condition. This includes ECG, 2D echo and stress test.

Stress Test result:

The results indicated a high cholesterol level, high triglycerides and even though my good cholesterol was high, it was not enough to counter the bad ones. It’s a good thing I’m not diabetic. I still need to watch on my diet. I was guilty of indulging into fatty foods having a very bad justification of “I’ll burn them in running anyway”. 2D echo gave a good result but the stress test had otherwise. The stress test result was that I had an inducible ischemia. This worries me as I might not be able to do again strenuous exercises such as running. The good thing was that my doctor did not agree on the findings. According to her, she cannot fully commit that there was abnormality based on her own interpretation of the tracing (graph). For her, it could be an equivocal finding and further test should be done.

To validate this, she recommended me for another stress test with sestamibi (Myocardial Perfusion Imaging) at the nuclear medicine department. Sestamibi was a radioactive substance to be injected in my blood which allowed the doctors to trace oxygen flow in my heart through a scanning machine. This may be likened to an MRI. I was scanned at rest, and right after a treadmill workout, I did the stress condition. The result was I have a normal myocardial perfusion imaging and a good cardio respiratory fitness. No scintigraphic evidence of inducible ischemia.

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Result:

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God is great, God is good! I praise Him for restoring my health and giving me a good heart (literally). So with all the results in, my doctor and I will only be working now on lowering the bad cholesterols. And with Christmas just around the corner, I remind every runner to better watch out your diet with all the merry-makings and mega-loading meals serve at every party you attend and keep on running! God bless!

To run or not to run?

That is the question. After finally deciding on running a distance of 15k race, I’m again in a dilemma of whether doing it or not with my present condition. I have been under the weather since last week. My cough and colds which I posted earlier has developed into flu. This makes me feel weak and my whole body aching. I’m into medication right now that will end until Friday night. Further, I was not able to run this weekend. My last run was last Thursday night, a recovery 5K run. Now I felt that I’m not in my tip-top shape to do a 15K. Previously, I have ran four 10Ks and I thought this is the perfect time for me to move up. Questions are running into my mind. Will I be able to do it? Will I be putting myself at risk? What should I do to have a fast recovery from flu? Or maybe I will just run the 5K instead.