Knife in My Side

dezigirl · 01-30-2008, 06:46 AM

I have been doing cardio 5 days a week for a little over a month now. I am actually doing cardio morning and night to get this icky fat off quicker. I have noticed the past couple of days that as soon as I get my heart rate up and I am in my groove, I get a stabbing pain in my right side. It hurts pretty bad and is preventing me from pushing myself hard. I am getting frustrated because while I am breaking a sweat, I can't really go full force or I feel like there is a giant knife in my side. What is this? Did I do somthing to cause it? Is there a remedy for it? It is a little too intense for me to ignore. I have also noticed that the harder I push, the worse it gets, but once I slow down, it goes away. Ugghhh! Frustrating! Advise please? Thanks!

amateurbdybldr · 01-30-2008, 06:53 AM

This happened to me all the time in the past , i found out that when i did stretch exercices i didn't get any pain at all , but it worked for me , give it a try , it might help you ... i did the cross bench dumbell pullovers to stretch my rib cage , i guess thats the side you mean ..

fergaldownes · 01-30-2008, 08:36 AM

im no doc but aint that a sign of on oncoming appendisitious <---- i cant spell

dezigirl · 01-30-2008, 10:04 AM

Dude don't freak me out....

precisou2004 · 01-30-2008, 10:11 AM

actually crampings on the side is usually lack of carbohydrates (if im not wrong). It used to happen to me a few times in my running days. Just take a deep breath in a few times and SLOW DOWN... you are doing way too much for you are just starting out. You will burn yourself and if you do not eat enough to sustain allthe energy you put out, then dont ask why you dont have the energy !. you are NOT eating enough

JMO

Witter · 01-30-2008, 10:14 AM

Wow, appendicitis, are we serious? Actually it means you have Lupus. Talk about being pessimists. Diagnose a problem with a simple solution before jumping into something requiring surgery.

Could it be a plain old side cramp? Have you played sports that involve running? Most people involved in sports would be very familiar with side cramps, that is why I am asking. If it is a side cramp then it is your sodium/water balance. For me I cramp up if I eat something salty an hour or so before I run.

dezigirl · 01-30-2008, 10:30 AM

It very well could be just the side cramp, but I am not sure why it would start just now. I can tell how far I have come as far as building my endurance. I am really seeing the progress. I did not play any sports when I was younger, so I guess that would be why I am not sure if it is a side cramp or not. I drink water before, during, and after my workout.
As for the other comment about not eating enough to sustain my energy level, I feel like a fricking pig! lol Here is my meal plan... everyday...
after morning workout: 1/2 cup egg whites with spinach, mushrooms, and FF cheese
2 hours later I have organic oats (oatmeal) with one small scoop of sugar free strawberry jam so I can actually choak it down.
Then I have a snack of raw Broc, carrots, and celery with a low fat veggie dip, again, so I can choke down the veggies
For lunch I alternate fish/ckn/and turk with a side of veggies like squash, asparagus, zucc, broc, mush, and onion
then my afternoon snack is more raw veggies and dip
dinner is protien only, fish/ckn/turk with the eggwhites and FF cheese.
If there is something bad in this diet please do tell. I am open to all suggestions.
I do sometimes include brown rice in the lunch meal, but I have not been doing that lately. Maybe I need to start back with that.

precisou2004 · 01-30-2008, 10:33 AM

this all seems like alot of protein and I dont see much carbs in your plan to sustain you being able to do 2 hours of cardio a day. JMO

dezigirl · 01-30-2008, 10:36 AM

So do you think if I throw back in the brown rice for lunch that would be enough? I have heard from several sources that dinner should not contain any carbs at all. As you said, I am just starting out, so my knowledge on health and fitness is limited and comes mostly from the articles I read on this site.

precisou2004 · 01-30-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezigirl

So do you think if I throw back in the brown rice for lunch that would be enough? I have heard from several sources that dinner should not contain any carbs at all. As you said, I am just starting out, so my knowledge on health and fitness is limited and comes mostly from the articles I read on this site.

You have to go with trial and error and experience with yourself but yes Id say add a bit of rice maybe at lunch time instead of supper but cutting totally carbs at supper/not having any at all ? that's a myth I would say. It should be limited at night yes but to totally cut it off ? I don't agree with that.

Al Swearengen · 01-30-2008, 11:45 AM

they are called side stitches, google it.

dezigirl · 01-30-2008, 04:49 PM

Thanks Al...

Most of us experience them at one time or another. That sharp twinge of pain just below the rib cage usually on the right. It is particularly common in runners and has been known to slow some down to a walk until the pain subsides.

Up until recently there was no clear explanation for the cause of this annoying cramp, also called exercise related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). Now researchers believe that the side stitch is caused by stretching the ligaments that extend from the diaphragm to the internal organs, particularly the liver. The jarring motion of running while breathing in and out stretches these ligaments. Runners tend to exhale every two or four steps. Most people exhale as the left foot hits the ground, but some people exhale when the right foot hits the ground. It is the later group who seem more prone to get side stitches.

Exhaling when the right foot hits the ground causes greater forces on the liver (which is on the right side just below the rib cage). So just as the liver is dropping down the diaphragm raises for the exhalation. It is believed this repeated stretching leads to spasms in the diaphragm.

Stopping a Side Stitch
To stop a side stitch when running, stop running and place your hand into the right side of your belly and push up, lifting the liver slightly. Inhale and exhale evenly as you push up.

Preventing a Side Stitch
To prevent a side stitch, take even, deep breaths while running. Shallow breathing tends to increase the risk of cramping because the diaphragm is always slightly raised and never lowers far enough to allow the ligaments to relax. When this happens the diaphragm becomes stressed and a spasm or "stitch" is more likely.

Some other ways to alleviate the pain of a side stitch include:

* Time your eating. Having food in your stomach during a workout may increase cramping by creating more force on the ligaments (avoid eating one to two hours before a workout)
* Stretching may prevent or relieve a cramp. Raise your right arm straight up and lean toward the left. Hold for 30 seconds, release, then stretch the other side.
* Slow down your pace until pain lessens.
* Breathe deep to stretch the diaphragm.
* Drink before exercise; dehydration can increase muscle cramps.
* Massage or press on the area with pain. Bend forward to stretch the diaphragm and ease the pain.
* * If you continue to experience pain, see your doctor.

Al Swearengen · 01-30-2008, 06:44 PM

no problem Dezi, i figured it was easier than trying to explain all that. they are nasty, but as i remember when i ran in school, they seemed to subside the better in shape i got and all but disappeared by the end of season for me.