So I realize I should see a Dr., but since I can’t do that for 3 weeks I figured I’d take the time to get some input.
I have a problem with going lightheaded whenever I do overhead work. Specifically, when doing push presses or military press, after I rack the weight, a lot of times I fall down. The last time I did military press I passed out after racking it and fell into the rack. Nasty bruise on my shoulder.
Anyways, this week I’m lifting at home and out of a rack, last rep of push press, soon as I lock it out… Wake up and the bench behind me is thrown back and my leg hurts like shit. Figure I must’ve dropped it on myself, lucky my leg didn’t break.
I’ve heard of strongmen competitors doing this before with the log press.
Only happens with overhead work, used to a few years ago when standing up.
I wasn’t dehydrated, and I always eat enough prior to lifting.
Seems to happen when the pressure is taken off, ie racking the weight, locking it out…
How is your breathing? I think your breathing completely wrong. Also when it comes down make sure it doesn’t roll to close to your neck, if it puts enough pressure on some sort of nerve or something you just pass out. I’ve seen it happen with Olympic lifters after a Clean, they have it near neck too much and they just pass out.
Look up how to breathe properly, also make sure to get blood pressure looked at.
Edit: By breathing wrong I mean your holding your breath in your head too much and passing out because of it. Look at your avatar for example, you seem to be holding your breath in your head not stomach.
well, it could be holding your breathe and pinching the windpipe there or a nerve or artery or something, if your holding the bar too close to your neck. But I doubt thats the problem, I think its something less technical and more related to you personally.
I wouldn’t wait three weeks to see a doctor. If you’re having this problem continuously, you need to get it checked out and most doctors will make room for you on their schedule if the problem is serious enough, which this does sound like a serious problem.
I don’t think it is because I am pinching a nerve, because when I military press I barely touch the collarbone, and it also happens if I do standing military with dumbbells.
Prior to my last few reps, I take in a big breath into my stomach, contract my abs, and bring the bar down before I press, just like if I was squatting.
It happens when my lockout takes a while. Sometimes 4-5 seconds for just the lockout, and another second to get it off my chest. How would I know if I was compressiong my carotid?
No supplements. Fish oil and protein are staples, but if I take a multivitamin regularly that’s extreme. I take in a good deal of food, and don’t always have money left for supplements after groceries, rent, and text books.
Oh, and the last time I had my blood pressure taken was back when I was cutting weight, so naturally it was rather low. I figured this could be it, but it’s rather easy to rule out once I get back home, so I’m still looking into other possibilities.
It’s normally only my last (maybe 2) reps that takes me that long, but I didn’t think that it might be more beneficial to bring the weight down and start from the bottom when doing a push press. Now that you say that it makes me think. Thanks.
[quote]threewhitelights wrote:
It happens when my lockout takes a while. Sometimes 4-5 seconds for just the lockout, and another second to get it off my chest. How would I know if I was compressiong my carotid?
[/quote]
Try to hold your arms up in an extended position as if you were locking out weight. Hold it there for 5-10 seconds. How do you feel?
The upper part of your chest may be big enough to squeeze your carotid arteries.
I agree that you should see a doctor, but be careful there.
A lot of doctors will tell you to stop weight training and take up a pussy activity, like croquet.
Sounds to me like it’s your breathing. I sometimes go overboard on holding the breath to stabilize my “core”
and feel a little spacy afterwards.
You’ve probably vagal�??d yourself so hard that you pass out. It’s all the pressure in your abdo and chest when you bear down. A little strange but next time your on the shitter check your radial pulse when you bear down hard. Notice how it will slow down.
Shit dude, you weren’t fucking around huh. The so-called Valsalva Maneuever is dangerous for just this reason and I think that Joeab is probably on the money with this one. Of course, none of us are qualified doctors or anything so you should probably go see the doc, at least when you’re back on campus.
I am coming back up for classes on the 2nd or the 3rd. Let’s lift some heavy shit.
P.S. I want to do an oly meet that’s coming up, in Buffalo. What’s the deal with platforms/weight sets in the Clark Arena Gym as opposed to Gordon Field House? Lemme know kid, peace.
while you are probably experiencing vasovagal syncope (syncope=passing out), there exists a real possibility that you have any one of a number of serious cardiac problems or bilateral carotid stenosis (less likely).
As two of those serious cardiac problems (idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/subaortic stenosis and aortic stenosis) can result in sudden cardiac death, you should get your ass to a physician and suggest that an echocardiogram (and possibly carotid dopplers based on the rest of your history and exam) would greatly ease your fears over this. If you can’t get your physician to do an echo based on this presentation and a polite expression of worry, get another doctor.
I agree w/ AndrewS. If you are indeed passing out, I would stop exercising until you can see a physician. As well as potential life threatening cardiac issues, another potential is “subclavian steal syndrome”. Google it and find out more.