"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Attack of the Coxsackie Virus...or not?



In September 2003 I have the following entry in my running log: “Strange little blisters on my hands and feet. Skin feels weird and back muscles funny.” Two days later: “Headaches and upset stomach continues – diagnosed with Coxsackie virus that I got via Rohann’s Kinder Garden.”

In October 2004 I have the following entry in my running log: “Small blisters are back on my hands and feet and skin feels weird again. Is Coxsackie back?” A week later: “Stomach not well…I’m sure it is the Coxsackie virus again.”

In November 2004: “Down with Meningitis! Doctor positive it was caused by Coxsackie virus.”

October 2005: “Can’t believe it! Little blisters on my hands and headaches with upset stomach! Coxsackie virus!”

November 2006: “Upset stomach really bad. Skin feels very weird and back muscles ache. Headaches not too bad this time.”

2007, 2008 – Nothing!

December 2009“Skin weird with small blisters…I can’t believe this! Hospitalized with very bad stomach and dehydration. Headaches not good but surviving.”

2010, 2011 – Nothing!

November 2012 – “Only noticed small blisters on my hands today. Skin weird and headaches quite bad. This must be why Sunday was such a terrible run. It seems Coxsackie is back. Can this be? It sure feels like it.”

The above are all extracts from my running logs.  This thing has really been very irritating and annoying. It drains my energy completely and puts my running back a few weeks every time. I thought I was rid of it but I am not so lucky. Whether it is the Coxsackie virus or not I don’t know. I just know I am really sick of it.

As a result I am not running the Sani Stagger Marathon this weekend. I am just not ready to drag myself over that huge mountain.

I will however run a half marathon on Saturday instead. A real tuffy. The Tom Jenkins Half Marathon at the union buildings in Pretoria. This would be a nice little test in itself. The profile shows why…

 Tom Jenkins Half Marathon

So Sani is out of the window but all is certainly not lost. I have to look after myself. I have enormous goals for 2013 and can’t afford any setbacks now. I'm also not nearly done with 2012 as well.

Have you ever battled some illness or condition for multiple years? 

Happy running all!

21 comments:

Teamarcia said...

Oh JOhann I'm so sorry. How weird that this is almost an annual thing. I don't blame you for not wanting to do the marathon. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Jill said...

I've never heard of that virus, but it sounds like a nasty little guy! Odd it creeps up on you at the same time of the year. I'll have to Google it just to find out more about it. In the mean time, I hope you feel better soon and don't push yourself if it will delay healing!!

misszippy said...

Crazy! I'm so sorry you are dealing with it, yet again. I hope the half goes well for you. Take it easy out there!

KovasP said...

Wow, what a bummer about the virus! But very cool you've kept those running logs.

On the Right Track said...

That is crazy!!! After all these years you would think there is something for you to do to combat getting this...do not blame you at all for not wanting to run, and i can't believe how many years yo have battled this same virus...the same time of year!

Please feel better...and don't over do it!

Unknown said...

Wow, sucks buddy.

Know what you are going through and as you know rest and down time is the only cure.

Good luck and hope it passes quickly.

Char said...

Have I battled with illness for some time? Three years and counting now and still not quite satisfied with the diagnoses. I was just up at the pathologist having another round of tests today and praying for an answer that makes sense and is treatable.
I hope you find out what's making you sick. Not having an answer is frustrating - especially when it's affecting your running.

Jerry Smallwood said...

Yuck, keep that one over in Africa! I hope you recover well and quickly, it sounds horrible.

Jerry

MCM Mama said...

That sucks! Odd that it hits you about the same time each year.

That half looks wicked hard. Good luck!

ajh said...

Wow! You do a hard half like that when you are under the weather. You are one tough dude!

Amy said...

Oh man, that sucks. I hope you are feeling better for your half. That virus picture sure brought back memories of my biology degree!

Robin said...

That sounds horrible. I can't say that I've had anything multiple years. Does this mean that it stays in your system dormant? Is there something that triggers it? It's too bad about your marathon but great that you are still doing the half. Hope you feel better.

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Sounds terrible! I hope that you don't have many symptoms this time and that your next race goes well.

Lauren said...

Wow Johann. I hope you recover quickly. I had to google Coxsackie virus because I've never heard of it. If we have it in the states, perhaps we call it something else. Seems like when someone's got a virus here, we say "he's got a bug," and don't call out the virus. Get well!!! And get rest! : )

XLMIC said...

I hate that you are having to deal with this. Yes, I've had an illness or condition for years...and didn't know what it was until recently. Fortunately for me, mine is treatable and curable once properly diagnosed...so yay there. I really hope you're able to find a way to clear your system of whatever it is that is wreaking havoc. I found successful diagnosis and treatment in alternative medicines...naturopath, acupuncture, and other. I wish you all the VERY best.

Raina said...

How interesting that your notes show that almost every fall (spring for you)you have had these same symptoms. I have a virus that comes almost each november. I haven't put it in a journal, but it has coincided with my birthday for the last 3 or 4 years and I had it BAD last year- ran a half marathon anyway, though. THis year I think I am carrying it around, but it isn't full on because I am sleeping so much more.

Get some rest, Johann. Good call on the shorter race. Stay hydrated!!

ultra collie said...

strange. some viruses lay dormant then can be triggered to reappear. sounds like this bad boy may be one of those.hope you get better soon

Giorgio said...

Sorry to hear that since 2003 you have been dealing with the same thng every year. I hope you recover quickly!

In summer I sometimes have an enteric problem related to rehydration. It adversely affects my running shape and I have learnt to deal with that health problem ... I hope :)

Have a nice week!




Anne said...

How strange that this virus keeps recurring. I'm really sorry to read about how the symptoms affect you. Of course you are right to take it a "little" easier for this month...hopefully, it will not come back ever again!! Good luck on your crazy tough half-marathon :)

Kate Geisen said...

I read this on my phone when you posted it, but I was in the middle of being sick, myself. It stinks that this keeps coming back and hitting you over and over again, but it's really cool that you've got the info all recorded in your running log.

I haven't had a recurring illness like this, but my goodness, even having been sick for a full week seems awful, so having it reoccur over and over again would be very frustrating.

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

That doesn't sound like fun at all!! :( You do need to take care of yourself and get better quickly!!