Flu-like symptoms after exercise

[Jaune]

I love running, using aerobic equipment and lifting weights; however, I ususually experience flu-like symtoms for days, sometimes weeks, later. For years now, I have felt as if a virus surfaces in me everytime I exercise.
My PCP is unhelpful.
My ENT recommended L-Lysine which I have been taking with a multi-vitamin everyday for a year.
Any suggestions?

[Hella_Helly]

I have been experiencing the same thing. I have been working out routinely for 2 years. There was no break or anything - no change in the workouts I'm doing - just out of nowhere I get really bad pain in my abdomen, headache, weakness and fatigue, some nausea. (No sore throat or coughing though.) The first time it happened, the pain was pretty severe, so I went to emerge. They found nothing wrong. It went away after a couple of days. It happened again two weeks straight, for a 2 to 3 of days each time. Then after taking it easy for a couple of weeks (first week doing nothing, second week doing yoga) I tried to work out again this week. I was ok after Monday, but after yesterday (Tuesday) I'm feeling awful again. And Monday's workout was more intense than yesterday's. Nothing makes sense!

I already take probiotics and multi-vitamins, etc. Maybe it's all just due to dehydration... gonna pick up some hydralite on the way home.

I just want to say one thing to people who commented they're eating yogurt. Yogurt is not an effective source of probiotics. It's no where near enough of a dose to do anything at all. If you think this might work for you, go get some pills. Also, different pills will effect you differently. Align made me horribly ill. But I have found the Jarrow brand 'Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS' 5 Billion Cells Per Capsule have really helped me with other digestive issues. So don't expect to be able to buy what someone else has bought and have the same thing work for you. You might have to try a few different formulas before finding success.

Good luck to us all! :)

[Pfipn]

I've had these symptoms and I may have a another cause: mold.  I was working in my basement quite a bit and I realized that there is mold there.  Then, through research, I was led to mold in autos.  Where is the first place I go after working out? My car. And my sinuses are wide open.  Adding the time in the basement may be part of it.

So I started driving with the windows down and it has helped.  Then, I bought an ozone generator and ran it in the car.  Detail shops use these as do hotels. FYI, the ozone is dangerous.  (I'm dealing with the basement separately.)

So far, I haven't gotten sick after working out. I bookmarked this site and that's how I came back to it; I'll write more if I find more.

[DWS2441]

I have the same symptoms. I am 49 years old and in very good shape.  I was just about to give up with all the advice I have read on line until I got lucky.  I mean very lucky.  Let me list what issues I have after a good workout.

1. Body aches, not sore muscles. Especially in the back and the muscle that was trained. Just like the flu is hitting me.
2. No energy at all.
3.Swollen, soar throat.
4. Glands in throat are sore.
5. Sometimes a headache.
6. Twitching muscles, especially in the triceps. Sometimes so bad it keeps me up at night.
7. Run down for days.
8. Memory seems to be getting worse.  Epically short term.

I have had this for 6 years.  5 days ago I was talking to a coworker about this and a Navy Seal friend  over heard us. He proceeded to give me some advice. It worked that day instantly. He told me that I was deficient in Magnesium.   He told me it is common with the intense training that they do.   He told me to get a good Magnesium supplement that is in a gel cap so it dissolves.  He also said to  take it on an empty stomach and don't eat anything for about another hour or two.  He said that Magnesium does not dissolve and absorb like people think when mixed with food or anything else.  

So I went on line and instantly started to do the research on magnesium.  Well most of the symptoms fit me so I though oh well one more supplement to try and throw away it  does not work. I purchased gel caps of Magnesium Glycinate 400mgs from the local supplement store and took two in the parking lot with water.  I waited about an hour and went to Golds gym to hit a chest workout.  I did a good pretty intense workout and headed home.  I was waiting for the symptoms to hit but it never happened.  I just about cried.  I have not cried in 35 years.  I could not believe I just had a work out and was not headed home to eat then lay on the couch like I always do.  I had energy, and believe it or not more mental clarity.  

The next day I still felt fine. I could feel my old friend, real muscle soreness.  Only muscle soreness.  I was amazed and though it was a fluke.  Next day I did the same thing.  Waited about 2 hours after I had some food then took two soft gels equaling 400 mgs then went to the gym for leg day.  I had to test this so I went all out.  All the way up to 3 reps at 405 on squats then worked hams and calves along with abs.  Went home.  No sickness, nothing.  Again I about cried I was in total shock.

The next day I was sore in my legs and calves but no sickness at all.  I  took off Thanksgiving day and relaxed.  Today I went to the gym and worked back and arms, still no flu like symptoms. As I type this I hope it helps someone else.  I truly feel your pain.

The only other thing I take I read on  is a decent probiotic.  Besides the magnesium listed and the probiotic that is it.  

Good luck.  I hope this helps.  Thank god for someone listening in to my conversation.  It has been a 5 day life saver for me.

Oh I would also like to add that he told me that Lyme Disease seems to lower magnesium levels.  I have a family ranch and my own.  I am out working on it all the time.  I will get tested for Lyme next week.  My wife has it and has tested positive 2 times.

Dave

[DWS2441]

This is now week 2.  I am feeling better every day.  My energy is going up every day.  This has been a miracle.  The best thing is how it is effecting my wife.  She has Lyme and no telling what else. He r joints are always stiff and her tendons ache all the time.  She is not able to swallow capsules so I bought her some powder magnesium glycinate she had the same results I had.  She can barley get out of bed but the next day she got out of bed and walked to the bathroom.  I asked her how she was feeling and she stopped in her tracks.  She said "nothing hurts" and she was completely taken by surprise.  Today I spoke to an emergency room doctor.  He was big into fitness and told me that in his opinion 99% of people are low in magnesium.  He sees it all the time.  He went on to tell me that I need to ad Zinc to the magnesium.  They work together.  I will try his advise next week.  for right now I am in a honey moon state with the way I feel.  So far so good and getting better.

Dave

[mackes]

Just ant to vomment, in my case it showed up to be lead poisonin from the drinking water. Something my doctors did not find out, I have to do it myself.

So check what you put into your body.

[specialmom]

I think it is really fascinating that there are well over 300 comments of people having this same issue!

[kkristy48]

when you workout,your immune system gets suppressed waaaaaay too much to explain,but it has to do with hormones/adrenals/etc.These are some way to do better of this situation :
lots of vitamin c everyday.
probiotics in the morning on an empty stomach
try to stay warm