Very Scary Situation - Vertebral Artery Dissection

[Chadd77]

I'm sure a big reason we may not hear much about this aside from it being rare is that it may be something that goes undiagnosed. Maybe some people get even more mild cases than chadd did and they never go to the doc. Hell, about a year ago I woke up with the room spinning and my vision blurry for about 2 hours. Who knows what exactly that was. Could have just been an inner ear type common issue but I cant say for sure. Happened once and never again.

A lot of people have them and don't realize it. Then they heal on their own. Just like mine... If I wouldn't have had double vision for 2 hours I would not have known my artery had a tear. Or it is misdiagnosed with something like vertigo.

[Bouncer]

how you dealing with being out of the gym chadd?

[jack tors]

Chadd I'm glad your still here with us. Get better my brother the gym isn't going anywhere.


Was this a freak occurance? Sorry this thread is hard to follow...lots of back and forth

[Chadd77]

how you dealing with being out of the gym chadd?

I'm doing great man. Obviously I wish I was able to go to the gym and return to normal physical activity but I'm trying to be extremely positive. I could either sit around and be a miserable prick or try my best to enjoy where I'm at.

My neurologist said I could do a fast walk to a slow jog and lift up to 5 lbs. My wife has 5 lbs dumbbells and I've been using them to do lunges, squats, curls, and tri extensions. I'm still trying to stay a little active I just need to make sure I'm not tightening my core and not lifting anything over my head. I really don't think the curls or tri extensions are doing anything at all for me :) but I'm sure the cardio (slow jog) and lunges and squats are helping some.

The hard part is I'm still feeling fine. I feel like I could go to the gym and start right back up. I'm trying to stay as active as I can without prolonging this injury.

[Chadd77]

Chadd I'm glad your still here with us. Get better my brother the gym isn't going anywhere.


Was this a freak occurance? Sorry this thread is hard to follow...lots of back and forth

Thanks man. Yeah, definitely something that doesn't happen to many people. I'm guessing I did it at the gym training back.

[lipripper]

I'm doing great man. Obviously I wish I was able to go to the gym and return to normal physical activity but I'm trying to be extremely positive. I could either sit around and be a miserable prick or try my best to enjoy where I'm at.

My neurologist said I could do a fast walk to a slow jog and lift up to 5 lbs. My wife has 5 lbs dumbbells and I've been using them to do lunges, squats, curls, and tri extensions. I'm still trying to stay a little active I just need to make sure I'm not tightening my core and not lifting anything over my head. I really don't think the curls or tri extensions are doing anything at all for me :) but I'm sure the cardio (slow jog) and lunges and squats are helping some.

The hard part is I'm still feeling fine. I feel like I could go to the gym and start right back up. I'm trying to stay as active as I can without prolonging this injury.

You'll be cleared to get back to it once they are sure you let that injury heal right bro..glad its going well and just do as they say my man..:thumb: itll be worth the wait:agreed:

[Chadd77]

You'll be cleared to get back to it once they are sure you let that injury heal right bro..glad its going well and just do as they say my man..:thumb: itll be worth the wait:agreed:

I hear ya! I've always been the one who pushes through pain or tough times but this is a little different. I'm trying to be active but smart. My wife thinks I'm slightly over doing it though. :D

[epix00]

Which blood thinner did they put you on?

[Chadd77]

Which blood thinner did they put you on?

I'm on a generic form of Plavix. It's actually a antiplatelet but I believe it also thins the blood some. I do know between that and the 81mg of asprin a day my blood looks like water! lol

[Bouncer]

hey chadd, i changed the title of the thread a bit to allow google to index it better. hope that's ok. could be a helpful thread for people with the same problem who have no idea what they are dealing with.

[dna9488]

Hang in there Chad. Glad to hear you're back to some form of exercise

[Scrumhalf]

How long do you have to take it easy, Chadd?

[Chadd77]

How long do you have to take it easy, Chadd?

Whenever the artery heals. I have an appointment the end of May and I'm hoping that they allow me to return to light training. Most the articles I read is that it takes 6 months on average to fully heal. Some longer some shorter.

Problem is it's not like a pulled muscle where you can feel it when doing activities. After I tore it the next day I trained chest and then the next I was getting ready to play soccer. The hardest thing is taking it easy when you feel normal. Trying my best. :D

[Bouncer]

bump. getting near that time you can get back in the gym real deal right chadd? looking forward to it? lose much size?

[Chadd77]

Can't wait for the appointment man. It's June 15th. Really hope they allow me to return to light training. Yesterday was 8 weeks since I was at the gym last. lol Funny enough, I don't look any different than when I'm off. It's pretty amazing how much I was able to keep. Not sure how much longer that will last. The biggest difference is I went up about 2% in my bf and my diet is the same. My weight really hasn't dropped off like I thought. Real curious how I will fell after I'm able to return. Either way I'll have to ease into it.