This summer, I made the decision to hike Kilimanjaro. I paid and started training for the hike that I’m thankfully leaving for in 2 days. However, in the months following booking the trip, though training hard, my stamina and endurance seemed to be getting worse, instead of better.
I was having trouble walking up the stairs to my office. Simple, 3-hour hikes turned into 5 1/2 exhaustive hauls with constant stopping to cool down and slow my heart rate. One of the guys going on the trip said he could see steam coming off my back on an early-December hike only 200 feet into the trail. I was trying to wait until my appointment for a physical that I had scheduled for January. Unfortunately, while trying to get some altitude training out in Colorado, I hit a point where I needed to go see a doctor – and it couldn’t wait until January.
On December 22nd, 2 months before I was supposed to hike Kilimanjaro, I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease and given a 50% chance of hiking. A common cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ Disease causes shortness of breath, increased heart rate, intolerance to heat, hand tremors and muscle weakness – all of which would hinder my ability to hike. I think it all started around the time and was the cause of me passing out at a Thievery Corporation show at Aura in September. I had felt excessively warm, and couldn’t believe that people around me were still wearing jackets – I was drenched in sweat. I turned to Chris – told him I was going to drop – and dropped – right in front of the stage (that was embarrassing). When I came to, the cop had already called the ambulance, and could thankfully see that I was not drunk or strung out on drugs (I was probably the most sober person there)!
My thyroid levels were off the charts. My doctor told me that I needed to stop all excessive physical activity until they were under control as I ran the risk of cardiac arrest. I went into a Google frenzy, reading about recovery times, buying travel insurance and trying to figure out my chances of actually hiking and what I could do to increase those chances. Most message boards had people saying it took 3-6 months for them to begin feeling normal again. I had 2 months to my hike.
After a few weeks taking 8 pills a day (six 10mg pills of methimazole and two 10mg pills of propranolol), I was starting to feel a little better, so I started up again with some training hikes. They were slow going to keep my heart rate down and I was often in a tank top or sports bra – but I was finally starting to feel better. Every two weeks I had my blood tested and my doctor would tell me to cut my meds – from 6, to 4 and to the current number of 2.
6 weeks after the initial diagnosis my endocrinologist gave me the clear to climb. While that has only given me a couple weeks to really train, I’m confident enough in my physical abilities at this point for this type of climb. Huge thanks to Dr. Brodsky at Maine Medical Partners Diabetes & Endocrinology for understanding my goal and providing and opting for an aggressive treatment! And while we don’t know what causes Graves’ Disease and it will likely be something I have to deal with for the rest of my life, but now knowing, and keeping my thyroid in-check will allow for more adventure and travels!
AmyWhere But Here 
So happy you’re on the mend and I can’t wait to read about your adventures! You have an incredible ability to persevere, and I admire you for that! Sending love and health your way!! Be safe !
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Thanks Hannah! 🙂
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You go girl!!
On Thu, Feb 22, 2018 at 8:33 AM, AmyWhere But Here wrote:
> amyirish1 posted: ” This summer, I made the decision to hike Kilimanjaro. > I paid and started training for the hike that I’m thankfully leaving for in > 2 days. However, in the months following booking the trip, though training > hard, my stamina and endurance seemed to be g” >
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So glad you have the Graves under control. Really enjoy your writing Amy! Have a great trip!
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Thanks Grace!
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Yo go, Amy! Best wishes for a successful climb. Cindy and Steve
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Thanks Cindy!!
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I am so glad you have the Grave’s under control enough to go on your incedible hike as planned! And as usual I am grateful for your sharing your adventures wih us. Have a great time! Very exciting.
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Thanks Carol!
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