Tim71 Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Well, I was planning on hitting the bending again on Wednesday but those plans were interrupted. For anybody who knows me, I never go to the doctor and I pretty much tough anything out that comes my way but this was much different. Tuesday night I went to bed early but kept waking up from acid reflux (a real pain to anyone who experiences it) but it never went away. About 4 am Wednesday morning, I started getting nauseated and developing an extreme headache so I now know that I've got a bug of some sort. Kept getting worse and the headache got to very bad levels and just felt really weird all over. About 6 pm that night I was taking yet another bath to try and feel better and after that I was laying on the bathroom floor. My wife (a nurse) started checking my blood pressure and it was alarmingly high. We got a 114 reading on the low side and that's at rest on the floor. Of course this is making me more nervous and quite frankly pretty scared. Little side note, a friend of mine thought he was having a flu bug and went to the ER and come to find out, he was having a heart attack. Anyway, I tried to sit up on the floor and the room was spinning like you wouldn't believe. Over the next half hour I kept trying to get up and same thing, extreme dizziness and felt like I was going to black out. My wife called for an ambulance to transport me to the hospital. Normally, that would scare me in itself but they way I'm feeling, I just wanted to get to the hospital because when you have kids and a wife, you really start getting scared at the idea of leaving them alone without a Dad / Husband. The people at the ER and the ambulance were top notch and I'll say this, if you've never had an ambulance ride, they are a lot bumpier than you'd think. They started checking me for signs of a stroke and heart problems and they told me I was going to get a "cat scan" which scared me. Thank the almighty God that they all came back clear with no major problems. The blood work showed signs that my body was fighting a bug of some sort but they weren't sure what it was and evidently that combined with my blood pressure was the culprit. High blood pressure runs in my family and I know it but I've been negligent in my eating habits lately and my job has become very stressful which has added to this. This was an extreme wake-up call for me and I now have to decide if I like Salt and Sodas or life better. Also, we see that my cholesterol is way too high so I need to work on that. Be safe guys and don't neglect your overall health. The fact that I may have accomplished some of these big (for me) bends with an elevated blood pressure is really scary. I'll be adding some overall exercises and diet changes to my routines and I trust this will get my energy levels back up and I'll be bending even bigger steel soon. Most importantly, I'll be around for my family. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencrush Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Glad to hear you're okay, Tim! Sent you a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh O'Dell Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Man im glad your ok! Those rides are never fun but better safe than sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 So glad to hear you're ok, Tim. Of all strength pursuits I would say various types of bending are what you most want to avoid with high blood pressure issues or any other risk factors for a stroke or heart attack. But I'm glad you're listening to your body and taking a more holistic approach to your health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Thanks guys. I'm already eating better (well, actually not eating much) and getting better BP readings and whatever mean virus this was is on the down slope so once I consistently get better readings and my energy is back up, I'll kill the steel. I can use this time to cut some steel and maybe cut out some new wraps. Be safe guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stCoC Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 There is a rhyme and reason for all things ....you just have to look and listen. If it takes a kick or slap to the face for us mortals to know what is really important let it be so. I am so glad you are well and armed with a new attitude to forge ahead. Blood pressure....hah.. The doctors freaked when they saw me walk in with 247/142 the day before my operation. I told them it would go down that the thought of dying probably elevated my BP a bit. The doctor and I have been friends ever since. Good luck is made my friend! Be well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ Livesey Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Damn bro. Glad you're ok. Sounds like you caught it in time. Ever since I had a blood clot that landed me a week intensive care for a week, I go to the doctor for everything. May seem excessive but I don't want to die again. I also have high blood pressure and that scares me. I eat a lot of salads with balsamic vinegar, boiled chicken and lean red meat. Don't rush to kill steel, focus on you and getting better. Steel bending spikes the blood pressure pretty high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odin Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Wow, scary stuff TIm! Please consider spending several months hammering your wrists and working on any other grip/body weaknesses you've never got around to addressing. If you must bend, do light training-not max or near-max effort "testing" as Chris Rice calls it. Building a better base and addressing any weak links in the chain will allow you to rise to even greater heights later as your body rebuilds itself and you will have a great period of "reminiscence" when you return to bending, your strength will roar back and you will soon be surpassing all your previous bests. I've had several near-death experiences in my life and think it has made me have a clearer perspective re: what i want out of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshW Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Damn man that's a scary experience, all the best for the future stay safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Walker Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Life gets put into perspective real fast when the Reaper comes knocking. Suddenly all this stuff becomes insignificant. Its just too bad it takes a life or death experience to make us hold the important stuff closer. I workout to help stay fit and help me further enjoy life. Period. I used to live it sleep it and breathe it. Then the Reaper came for me and I woke the hell up. My beautiful wife and babies are my life now. They will never play second fiddle again! You younger bucks should take notice. No one is going to care about your prs scratched across your tombstone... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Wow, thanks guys. I'm definitely going to take it easy until this gets under control. All are great points and I appreciate the kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mitti Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Yeah you never know one day to the next. Very scary experience, Glad your okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Walker Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 When ever I start to think about lifting heavy again and gaining weight and going after big deadlifts all I have to do is close my eyes and imagine another man raising my kids and loving my wife. That is enough to bring me back to reality and keep me grounded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I hear you. I have a few bending goals I want to accomplish but it'll have to be done without getting totally crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alawadhi Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Glad you are fine. Always health comes first. When you are healthy you are a king. Other wish to have one sec of peace while you are healthy and happy, have a family and food to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellswindstaff Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Why not cycle in some conditioning work? Running, high rep kettlebell work, skipping rope... things to strengthen the heart and bring the blood pressure down over time. I don't bend but I've done some max effort isometric work on the big lifts while dropping conditioning work and have seen my blood pressure go up 20 bpm! From a rough 60 to 80. Why not just cycle it in and out, but walk everyday! I don't know you and am not telling you what to do, but I'd hate to see a grip brother bite the dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellswindstaff Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Also, Sorrel flower or Hibiscus flower [whichever you want to call it] lowers blood pressure and it's really easy to make as a tea... tastes good and cools you down in the summer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Thanks. I might look into that. So far I'm recovering nicely but I need to get my energy level back up. I guess my body's not used to a "normal" blood pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 PRs for trips to the hospital are highly over rated. Take care of yourself - annual physicals - bloodwork and all the other things I always thought were so stupid when I was young and ten foot tall and bulletproof are important - really. Learn from the mistakes of others - you can't live long enough to make them all yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 I love that last line. My BP has been very good and I've even had to back down to 1/2 a pill. I even had a reading of 82 over 56 so my goal of getting totally off the medicine will be realized. I've not had a Coke in almost a week (big thing for me) and I've cut back drastically on the salt and am eating better overall. Also, learning to deal with stress on the job much better. I've bent one time since then but kept it light and topped out at a 1/4 inch square at 7 inches. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Keep sugar intake as low as practically possible. Smarter people than me say if you cut only one thing make it sugar. The reasons are endless, but personally, I've never felt better. And eventually, not only do you not miss it, just the thought of a sugar high makes you nauseous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king crusher Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Yeah diet is number one. I was not aware lifting heavy caused death? Maybe if you're the top echelon of strength sports and taking more then just protein if you catch my drift. But a natural athlete being the best he or she can be is cause to worry about another man raising your kids? Wha?? I'd be concerned with the way people eat these days, very concerned. As far as bending, or any maximal type effort you want to breath right during the lift. I never hold my breath during any lift. I've been training pretty heavy for half my life and have had full blood work done when we got new insurance and everything was good. You see a lot of early deaths in strongman and body building but all of those are attributed to lots of vit S. Among other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 Had a nice bending workout and even did some intense ISOs last night and checked my BP right after and it was fine. If anything, maybe a little low. I agree about sugar although for me I believe caffine is pretty rough too. I've actually gotten used to drinking unsweet tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 (edited) Yeah diet is number one. I was not aware lifting heavy caused death? Maybe if you're the top echelon of strength sports and taking more then just protein if you catch my drift. But a natural athlete being the best he or she can be is cause to worry about another man raising your kids? Wha?? I'd be concerned with the way people eat these days, very concerned. As far as bending, or any maximal type effort you want to breath right during the lift. I never hold my breath during any lift. I've been training pretty heavy for half my life and have had full blood work done when we got new insurance and everything was good. You see a lot of early deaths in strongman and body building but all of those are attributed to lots of vit S. Among other things. The Vitamin S as causation is not the only (and may not even be the main) thing involved. The extremes of weight lifting are pretty hard on one's system. Add in being (or becoming) extremely large weather by muscle or possibly later in life with obesity and you can have a fairly deadly combination without ever seeing a drug of any kind. I have been trying to find the actual things that Steroids cause that leads to early death or problems - and so far it appears as much to do with the other training and lifestyle factors as the drugs themselves. The changes in heart stoke volumes and wall thickness development from maximum lifting can be pretty detrimental sometimes. Edited May 7, 2014 by climber511 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Went to the doctor today and they want to try me without the blood pressure medicine now. Thank God. This whole experience has been a wake-up call for me concerning my nutrition. I'd much rather eat right then have to take medicine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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