Its been a few weeks since we've written, which gives us something pretty important to write about.
As you may recall, Jamie and I weight train. We love it. Two hours six days a week, including cardio.
That is, until I hit a wall.
Not a real wall, but a proverbial wall of complete and utter exhaustion.
Speaking of walls, within the walls of my body lies an auto-immune disease. I rarely speak of it, and few people know about it. It is a pesky little virus that mutated, called Chronic Epstein Barr Virus (or, for brevity's sake, CEBV.) I had been diagnosed approximately two years ago by an immunologist.
It is a very rare disease in the United States and Europe. It occurs more frequently in Asia and South America. It was found in my T cells, B cells, and NK (Natural killer) cells in my blood. While there is no cure, there is some concern that the outcome can be nasopharyngeal cancer or Burkett's lymphoma.
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| Epstein Barr Virus |
At the time of my diagnosis, I had already lost 60 lbs and my doctor made it clear that I needed to lose the remainder of my weight (80 more lbs) and exercise every day until I sweated. He started me on supplements and vitamins as well as four injections per week to boost my immune system.
The CEBV activated allergies I didn't have before. Testing showed I was now allergic to every grass, tree, mold, mildew, and even my favorite fruits and vegetables. I had to purge my home of all chemicals, including home cleaners, shampoos, and soaps. Prepackaged, processed foods-gone. Sugar and sugar substitutes all gone because they could cause an inflammatory response.
Three years prior I had made many positive changes losing my weight slowly and keeping it off, but now I had to make more changes to extend, and in reality, save my own life.
I had to change almost every aspect of my life, and I did.
I lost the weight, and kept going. As I lost the weight, ate healthier, and avoided those things I was allergic to, my CEBV went into remission. Unfortunately, I took it a bit too far. I became underweight. I was obsessed with the scales and with exercising. My family and friends prompted me to see my family doctor and I agreed to go into treatment for an eating disorder. A team including my general practitioner, immunologist, and nutritionist, helped me.
However, as I struggled to comply with my nutritional needs, I still had the mindset that with exercising, more was better. Pushing my body through the pain only showed I was doing what I should be doing. I would lift weights, do cardio, and take additional classes 6 days a week. No pain, no gain, right?
I never stopped once to consider that I was pushing my body to the brink of madness. Over training led to over use injuries, but that was normal, wasn't it? Its not like it was permanent.
Then, BAM, it happened. The wall.
I could not get out of bed. I couldn't lift my head, couldn't move my legs. My body ached as it never had. I developed a severe skin rash. The fatigue and deep muscle pain never left. Nausea would surprise me at a moments notice. My right upper abdomen hurt terribly.
My worst fear.....my CEBV had re-activated and then some.
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| This rash covered a large portion of my body |
Weeks of testing, doctor visits, emergency room visits followed. Everything was tested. Full abdominal CT scans and ultrasounds, chest x-rays, thyroid x-rays, thyroid ultrasound, blood work, bone density scans, mammograms, a diagnostic colonoscopy with a 14 day prep. (14 DAY PREP!!!). All in all, I saw eight health professional (doctors/therapists/nutritionists/immunologist/gastroenterologist/nurse practitioners, yada, yada, yada).
In the end, we found that I had done permanent damage to my body. My liver is now enlarged. My colon is permanently damaged and I will have to be on medication for the rest of my life. The road to recovery is long. I am still exhausted. My employers, The Greater YMCA of Kingsport, who have been more than supportive, are allowing me to return to work slowly. I worked one day this week (as I will next) and came home and slept for hours. A long recovery, indeed.
I will soon start back on the injections to boost my immune system. I will probably have to be retested for food allergies. My doctor has limited my training to four days a week. My diet has had to change again.
I have learned the hard way the ill affects of over training and now I want to share it with others. I don't want anyone to go through what I experienced the last several weeks.
Exercising more than four days a week does not allow the body to heal or muscles to grow and eventually it can lead to some serious problems. Even without my CEBV, I know I would have hit this wall. It was only when I hit that wall that I activated my CEBV. Now I must live with that.
I'm determined to follow my doctor's advice, eat as my nutritionist suggests, and listen to my body.
Exercising is important for a healthy life. However, we only have one body. While it is healthy to have goals to reach for, its important to allow your body time to reach those goals and incorporate rest into your training regiment. I hope you can keep an open mind when examining your own approach to exercise. Be kind, gentle, and compassionate: please listen to your body.
Jamie and I returned to the gym this week. Jamie hit her own wall during this time coming down with a fever of 103 degrees and then later injuring her back. We took turns taking care of one another. She was exhausted from the emotional roller coaster of it all as well.
It felt good being back in the gym and I was somewhat relieved knowing that I didn't have to push myself as hard as I had been pushing. I can still have the muscle gains with the four day a week program I have chosen and still be good to my body at the same time.
I only wish I had realized that sooner. I'm still a beast in the gym, just a much wiser beast than I was before.
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