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Flu-like symptoms after exercise

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?
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Avatar universal
Just an additional comment to my previous post:

My impression is we can group these into two general categories:

1) Those with allergy symptoms (upper respiratory) for 24-48 hours following cardio are likely experiencing excessive histamine release.  Any non-drowsy antihistamine may be helpful, as well as an anti-inflammatory (tylonol) to reduce inflammation of the muscles.

2) Those experiencing stronger flu like symptoms for several days might be related to more complicated immune related issues.  I still think an anti-inflammatory taken before or after should help because it's effectively reducing the stresses put on your muscles/body.

I've heard this theory about "toxins" mentioned a lot in this thread. For those following science/evidence based medicine and nutrition, it should be noted there is currently no supporting evidence of so called "toxins" building up in the body- in fats, liver or muscles.  Lactic acids do of course, but that is something different.    
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very good
Avatar universal
Wow, all I can say is I'm really happy to find this thread (just as many others have said).  I've weight lifted for ages and not had much problems, but this year I started getting into cardio and then I came the constant "mini-flu" like symptoms in the days following a good exercise.  There is just no way I can justify a good cardio workout with what I can expect to follow.  Obviously very frustrating as I'm trying to be healthy and that's actually making me unhealthy.

I found this interesting article about histamine release in cardio type exercises.  It seems the best science based explanation I could find so far.  I noticed a lot of people in this thread mentioning taking an antihistamine before or after a big workout, and having some results.  Anyway, this sounds like the best first step so I'm going to try it for the coming month and see how the results are.  I know Benadryl will make me too drowsy, so is there any recommendations for non-drowsy antihistamines OTC?

To summarise the article below: some people have large releases of histamine from cardio, which causes the allergy like reactions.

Exercise-induced allergies: the role of histamine release.
Silvers WS.

Source: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.

Abstract
Exercise is a physical cause of allergic reactions, including exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAna), exercise-induced urticaria (EIU), exercise-induced asthma (EIA), and exercise-induced rhinitis (EIR). Since its first description in 1979, EIAna has been reported with variable clinical manifestations, with exercise alone, and in combination with food ingestion. Elevated serum histamine levels and cutaneous mast cell degranulation have been noted. Exercise-induced urticaria appears as small, punctate lesions that differ from the classic coalescent type seen with EIAna. Variant forms of EIAna with cholinergic urticarial lesions manifesting systemic collapse and/or respiratory distress have been studied. Exercise-induced urticaria and cold-induced urticaria may cause elevated plasma histamine levels coincident with the onset of pruritus and hives. Theories accounting for EIA include respiratory heat loss, water loss, and mast cell activation. Although some studies have shown increased plasma histamine with EIA, others have not. Recently, bronchoalveolar lavage in atopic subjects with EIA has been evaluated preexercise and postexercise, with no significant differences in histamine or tryptase, suggesting a pathogenesis of EIA independent of the mast cell. Exercise-induced rhinitis, with varying degrees of rhinorrhea, congestion, and sneezing, has been increasingly recognized in athletes who run, cycle, and ski. Cold-air-induced rhinorrhea in laboratory challenges displays a mediator release pattern similar to that produced by allergen-induced nasal challenges. Therapeutically, H1 antihistamines are recommended for EIAna both as pretreatment and acute therapy. H1 antihistamines may be helpful in EIU, but are recommended for EIAna both as pretreatment and acute therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
PMID: 1371041 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Avatar universal
I run obstacle course races and I train a lot.  I do several different types of workouts but the one that have been giving me the most post workout issues is Bikram Yoga and I get this way after a hard core race.   I have these symptoms...extreme lethargy, bloating, joint pain, minor headache, light sensitive eyes, fogginess in my mind and feel cold all the time. The symptoms go on for about 3 days.  This is not normal for me.  I have crazy amounts of motivation to get to my training but when this happens I am out of control.  I have been researching this adnausium.  I have tried several different holistic approaches and changes to my diet.  Nothing has helped. I am trying one thing I just read.  Something about your body releasing large amounts of histine/histamine (?) when your body in distress due to other processes having to go into overdrive for recovery; so they suggesting taking an antihistamine. I took one last night and then this morning.  I feel A LOT better.  

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Avatar universal
I am so glad I am not the only one, my head was going places already.

I am 28 years old and I'v started taking care of my figure 2months ago, but 2 weeks ago, I did the rawing machine
1km in 5min and my nose started right there, it was so painful but I kept going, but I had the flu already.

The next week I did the same routine on cadio day n flu again, 2 weeks later I did a  group class "zumba" for an hour and I was in bed for the following days, with heavy flu.
Why is this happening? Am I allergic to exercising?
Please help
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Avatar universal
So glad you have found an answer. I have been suffering very bad malaise after exercise, and have gone from running road races to only able to do gentle walking, and have had this for many years now. I am trying gluten and dairy free and will post back later with results.
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Avatar universal
Same symptoms as most people here. They were triggered by exercise but also by alcohol, food + drink containing sugar. I read that sugar creates acidity which fosters the growth of bad bacteria. Altered diet to be mainly vegetables, little fruit, meat, rice, no bread, no sugar, no booze and took an antacid. Helped hugely. I can now do light exercise and sleep properly which I could not do before trying this.

Hope it helps.
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