Light-headed halfway through workout

[NEFLRick]

So, some of you know I've lost a lot of BF recently (down 63lbs since January and shooting for another 30ish). I'd never had a problem with feeling light-headed when working out. Actually, I didn't used to eat anything until after my workout. Started doing a protein shake before workout lately though.

Anyway, recently, I've been getting light-headed about halfway through my workout. Feels like low blood sugar. When I get home I drink a little OJ and I feel better so it leads me to believe it's a blood sugar thing. Problem is, I've NEVER had this problem before. Wondering if it's maybe that I hit some thresh hold in my body and now I'm more sensitive to low blood sugar?

I tend to carb cycle (2-3 days with little/no carbs and 1 day of 100-150g carbs). Not eating much of anything with actual sugar in it (I know, everything gets turned into sugar) except my glass of OJ in the morning (that's my coffee). Eating 200-300g of protein each day (mostly eggs, chicken seafood and some red meat--maybe 2x/week).

I usually take my shake about an hour-an hour and a half before my workout. Wondering if I should take it closer to my workout or if I should add something to eat before I leave for the gym.

Any ideas?

[Beethoven]

Low blood sugar, dehydration, low bp are the culprits that come to mind. Maybe simply not enough carbs to handle the workload?

[hawk14dl]

I'd pack a shake with carbs for during the workout.

[NEFLRick]

Dehydration isn't an issue for sure. I drink water constantly from the time I wake up until about 2 hours before I go to sleep. I get at least a gallon a day in.

Low BP could be an issue. I'm on BP meds but I've lost a lot of weight. I also take liquid cia daily. I should get it checked again.

My question about a lack of carbs is, I've been doing this diet (almost exactly) since January and the issue is just popping up now.

[hawk14dl]

You also just started t3 correct?

[austinite]

You just need to breathe properly. Don't hold your breath when you push/lift.

[hawk14dl]

Also are you taking creatine before your workout? I had a similar experience when I was doing that

[hellomycognomen]

Could be one or a combination of what others have suggested.

Breathing is big, as well as rest periods in between sets.

Have you ruled out your medications?

If you think carbs are the culprit, take a banana with you and snack on that.

Or sip on a workout drink and see how you do.

The issue could be "popping up now" because you are getting more fit and thus can push your body harder.

[NEFLRick]

You also just started t3 correct?

About a monthish ago yes.

[NEFLRick]

You just need to breathe properly. Don't hold your breath when you push/lift.

Breathing isn't the issue. I'm a stickler for breathing correctly.

[NEFLRick]

Could be one or a combination of what others have suggested.

Breathing is big, as well as rest periods in between sets.

Have you ruled out your medications?

If you think carbs are the culprit, take a banana with you and snack on that.

Or sip on a workout drink and see how you do.

The issue could be "popping up now" because you are getting more fit and thus can push your body harder.

I haven't really ruled out any medications.

I can bring some fruit or something with me and give that a try. I'm thinking it may be a combination of a few things not the least of which might be me having lost enough now to feel the problem. But someone mentioned low BP, I'm wondering about that because, as I mentioned, I'm on BP meds and have lost a lot of weight. Maybe I've finally lost enough where my BP has dropped and the meds (BP and Liquid cia) are dropping it too low.

[austinite]

Dehydration isn't an issue for sure. I drink water constantly from the time I wake up until about 2 hours before I go to sleep. I get at least a gallon a day in.

Low BP could be an issue. I'm on BP meds but I've lost a lot of weight. I also take liquid cia daily. I should get it checked again.

My question about a lack of carbs is, I've been doing this diet (almost exactly) since January and the issue is just popping up now.

Cialis and BP meds is a big no no.

[Beethoven]

I haven't really ruled out any medications.

I can bring some fruit or something with me and give that a try. I'm thinking it may be a combination of a few things not the least of which might be me having lost enough now to feel the problem. But someone mentioned low BP, I'm wondering about that because, as I mentioned, I'm on BP meds and have lost a lot of weight. Maybe I've finally lost enough where my BP has dropped and the meds (BP and Liquid cia) are dropping it too low.

Rick I have had the same issues. If your high bp is weight related as is mine, you're probably ready to come off or cut down the dose, especially if you take a diuretic with it. Also as Austinite said, Cialis will also lower bp, so I would venture that it's your bp.

[NEFLRick]

I think that's what it is--low bp. I stopped by and checked it after working out this morning. Was 107/74--still, "normal," but lower than what my normal is (usually 120/80). So I think that's the culprit.

I researched Cia with bp meds and it seems you can take the two, however, I think losing the weight (63lbs since Jan) has made it so I shouldn't be doing them both. And yes, my bp med has a diuretic in it as well.

So going to figure it out.

Thanks!

[jimmyinkedup]

It could be a couple aforementioned things or combination of them. You can answer if it is dietary/carb related by looking at if it occurs during your high carb days of your carb cycle as well. That could include or exclude carb intake as a potential cause.

[Beethoven]

I think that's what it is--low bp. I stopped by and checked it after working out this morning. Was 107/74--still, "normal," but lower than what my normal is (usually 120/80). So I think that's the culprit.

I researched Cia with bp meds and it seems you can take the two, however, I think losing the weight (63lbs since Jan) has made it so I shouldn't be doing them both. And yes, my bp med has a diuretic in it as well.

So going to figure it out.

Thanks!

107/74 before working out is low normal. Once you workout it drops more. I remember feeling really light headed after a workout, checked my bp and it was 95/65. Came off meds and problem solved. I would cut out the diuretic first, if it's still low than cut the dose in half or out altogether. My personal process has been cut the hctz first, then half the dose, then cut the med.

[NEFLRick]

It could be a couple aforementioned things or combination of them. You can answer if it is dietary/carb related by looking at if it occurs during your high carb days of your carb cycle as well. That could include or exclude carb intake as a potential cause.

Happens every day whether it's a carb day or not.

[NEFLRick]

107/74 before working out is low normal. Once you workout it drops more. I remember feeling really light headed after a workout, checked my bp and it was 95/65. Came off meds and problem solved. I would cut out the diuretic first, if it's still low than cut the dose in half or out altogether. My personal process has been cut the hctz first, then half the dose, then cut the med.

Only problem is, the diuretic is included in the pill. So I can't just stop one or the other. And that BP was AFTER I worked out. I've never been that low no matter when I've tested it. I may just cut out the BP med and keep an eye on my BP. If it gets high--and my symptoms have gone away--maybe I'll just try a half dose. Of course, it takes a few days for it to get out of your system so I won't know until next week.

[Beethoven]

Only problem is, the diuretic is included in the pill. So I can't just stop one or the other. And that BP was AFTER I worked out. I've never been that low no matter when I've tested it. I may just cut out the BP med and keep an eye on my BP. If it gets high--and my symptoms have gone away--maybe I'll just try a half dose. Of course, it takes a few days for it to get out of your system so I won't know until next week.

I had my Dr write a new script but just halve the dose. You'll know about three or four days. I'm sure you'll be fine. It all depends on the individual. I've been at 120/80 on meds and felt light headed. I can be up to 130/85 without meds and feel fine as opposed to 120/80 with meds. Yet at 140/90 and I can feel it high and will medicate.

[RaginCajun]

i suggest going back to the doctor to re-evaluate your BP meds.

[NEFLRick]

i suggest going back to the doctor to re-evaluate your BP meds.

Nah, no need to. He'll just either cut me back or take me off and tell me to come back to check it. Don't need to spend the money and (more importantly) the time to have him tell me to do what I can do myself. I'll just keep an eye on my BP, if it creeps up, I can go back on the meds.

[austinite]

lol, then go see another doctor. You've overcome all objections...

[RaginCajun]

lol, then go see another doctor. You've overcome all objections...

This!

[NEFLRick]

lol, then go see another doctor. You've overcome all objections...

See another dr? For what? Again, I am fully capable of checking my blood pressure. If it gets high again, then I know I need to still be on the BP med. The dr doesn't do much of anything while I'm on it (3 different docs now). They want to have my blood tested once every 6 months (or so) but that's it. I think I can handle that.

So why should I spend the money on the co-pay and (more importantly) spend the time waiting in the waiting room then waiting in the exam room just to have him tell me what I already know because I'm checking my BP anyway? Not sure I understand.

[hellomycognomen]

See another dr? For what? Again, I am fully capable of checking my blood pressure. If it gets high again, then I know I need to still be on the BP med. The dr doesn't do much of anything while I'm on it (3 different docs now). They want to have my blood tested once every 6 months (or so) but that's it. I think I can handle that.

So why should I spend the money on the co-pay and (more importantly) spend the time waiting in the waiting room then waiting in the exam room just to have him tell me what I already know because I'm checking my BP anyway? Not sure I understand.

You could go see the same or another doctor and tell him that you already know everything he is going to say, and that you need to hear something different. haha.

[Bonaparte]

Cialis and BP meds is a big no no.

Pde-5 inhibitors are generally contraindicated if taking Nitro (or vice versa in emergency cases), but I would venture to say that the vast majority of guys prescribed cialis are also on BP meds.

[austinite]

I would venture to say that the vast majority of guys prescribed cialis are also on BP meds.

I wouldn't venture to say that. Not even remotely close in fact.

[Bonaparte]

I wouldn't venture to say that. Not even remotely close in fact.

Meh, this is a case of representative heuristic bias with no definitive answer (thanks, HIPAA). Regardless, I have seen plenty of prescription lists with Viagra/cialis and beta-blockers/ACE inhibitors, so they are not mutually exclusive.

[austinite]

nevermind...

[NEFLRick]

I did research it quite a bit before starting the liquid cia. Nothing I read indicated you couldn't take the two together. Otherwise, I wouldn't have started.

Besides, I've been taking the two together for about 6-8 months and this is just now popping up. So it makes me believe it's the combination of losing so much weight/getting in better shape and the two together. I'll know in the next few days anyway.

[austinite]

No one said you couldn't take them together, you can do whatever you want. It's just not recommended, and that is on every website that sells prescription Cialis and on Lily's website. Not sure where you researched NEF, but it's plastered all over, including legit websites like epocrates. Cialis in itself can be used to lower BP, while not drastic, it's also individualistic. This isn't just a "Cover my Company's Ass" statement by manufacturers, it goes for any 2 products that have proven to lower BP. I am the perfect example that the combination can bring you to poor levels, but again, it's individualistic and unless you monitor yourself heavily (Majority do not), it's in everyone's best interest to adhere to the warnings.

For me, BP I just don't mess around with, anything else I usually do.

Anyway, we might be getting off topic. Back on track.

[hawk14dl]

Does nobody else see the t3 as a possible culprit?

You recently started the t3 and this light headedness also just started. Maybe it's just me?

[Bonaparte]

Does nobody else see the t3 as a possible culprit?

You recently started the t3 and this light headedness also just started. Maybe it's just me?

Yes, if he were doing cardio and really breathing hard. T3 increases cellular oxygen demand and body temp, so it will cause you to become winded faster when pushing yourself hard (which would cause lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, etc).

[NEFLRick]

No one said you couldn't take them together, you can do whatever you want. It's just not recommended, and that is on every website that sells prescription Cialis and on Lily's website. Not sure where you researched NEF, but it's plastered all over, including legit websites like epocrates. Cialis in itself can be used to lower BP, while not drastic, it's also individualistic. This isn't just a "Cover my Company's Ass" statement by manufacturers, it goes for any 2 products that have proven to lower BP. I am the perfect example that the combination can bring you to poor levels, but again, it's individualistic and unless you monitor yourself heavily (Majority do not), it's in everyone's best interest to adhere to the warnings.

For me, BP I just don't mess around with, anything else I usually do.

Anyway, we might be getting off topic. Back on track.

Not to be a jerk but EVERYTHING I've read--even on the Cialis site--says, "consult with your doctor if you're taking bp meds (lisinipril mentioned specifically in some places--which is what I've been on)." NOTHING says you shouldn't or can't take it. They just say, "may cause low BP." Other drugs they do say do not take together. There are also many people who have been taking both with no problems. And I was taking it for months with no problems until recently.

I know it can be used to lower BP, which is why I did my research. It's something to keep an eye on--which I've done.

Just want to make sure you know I did my homework before starting this.

[NEFLRick]

Does nobody else see the t3 as a possible culprit?

You recently started the t3 and this light headedness also just started. Maybe it's just me?

Was taking T3 for quite some time before this started. Obviously it could be but I don't believe it is. Also, I've been feeling better and better in the gym since stopping my bp med. Going to check my bp after working out today. Yes, I said after because my bp should be a little higher. I'd rather check it worst-case.

[NEFLRick]

Just an update. Off the BP meds for about a week. Feeling much better at the gym. BP is coming in high normal. So I've done a lot to get it down but not quite low enough. I've started taking half-doses of the lisinipril. Will see how I feel next week. Keeping an eye on my BP.

[NEFLRick]

Since I started the half-doses of lisinipril, my BP has come down (quicker than I expected). Sitting at about 116/75. So seems I've been able to cut the dose in half successfully. Not complaining about it. Hoping to get off it completely by losing the last amount of BF I want to get rid of over the next month or so.