Why does swimming make my body freak out?
December 9, 2010 12:50 PM Subscribe
90% of times I go to the pool I experience something akin to a panic attack/shock. What is going on?
I am not a good swimmer, or rather I can barely survive in water at all, and I think it's because of this: most times when I go to the pool I start shivering uncontrollably and by brain/body acts like I'm in shock (like after a violent accident, for example). I also get dizzy, nauseous and often experience diarrhea and/or a strong urge to pee. This doesn't happen right away, but after maybe 10-15 minutes in the pool. Like I said, I'm not very good at swimming, and I sometimes swallow some water, but I doubt that's the cause of this. I really am not (consciously) afraid of water, and I can get from one end of the pool to the other on my back or doing breaststroke, but it's pretty hard to control my breath when the whole of my body is shivering and just altogether freaking out. I should mention that this usually gets even worse after I leave the pool, and doesn't go away for maybe an hour or two afterward. Any suggestions as to what might be happening to me and how I might be able to get over this?
I am not a good swimmer, or rather I can barely survive in water at all, and I think it's because of this: most times when I go to the pool I start shivering uncontrollably and by brain/body acts like I'm in shock (like after a violent accident, for example). I also get dizzy, nauseous and often experience diarrhea and/or a strong urge to pee. This doesn't happen right away, but after maybe 10-15 minutes in the pool. Like I said, I'm not very good at swimming, and I sometimes swallow some water, but I doubt that's the cause of this. I really am not (consciously) afraid of water, and I can get from one end of the pool to the other on my back or doing breaststroke, but it's pretty hard to control my breath when the whole of my body is shivering and just altogether freaking out. I should mention that this usually gets even worse after I leave the pool, and doesn't go away for maybe an hour or two afterward. Any suggestions as to what might be happening to me and how I might be able to get over this?
Very very wild guess, if not something emotional, some sensitivity or allergy to chlorine? Does this happen at the beach or lake as well, or just in pools?
posted by mermayd at 12:56 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by mermayd at 12:56 PM on December 9, 2010
Is the temperature of the pool very cold? Do they have a warm children's wading pool or hot tub that you could dip into to see if you get the same panicky feelings?
Does this happen at say, the beach on a warm day? Or in the bath? Or only at the pool?
How much water are you swallowing? Pool water is not the best, germ-wise. Are you trying to keep your face all the way out of the water? Or do you put your face into the water periodically and blow bubbles? Fully exhaling under water is a good way to regulate one's breathing. If you're trying to strain your neck muscles to keep your face out all the time, the turbulence from nearby swimmers (or your own thrashing) could lead to waves flowing into your mouth.
I'm stumped.
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:57 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Does this happen at say, the beach on a warm day? Or in the bath? Or only at the pool?
How much water are you swallowing? Pool water is not the best, germ-wise. Are you trying to keep your face all the way out of the water? Or do you put your face into the water periodically and blow bubbles? Fully exhaling under water is a good way to regulate one's breathing. If you're trying to strain your neck muscles to keep your face out all the time, the turbulence from nearby swimmers (or your own thrashing) could lead to waves flowing into your mouth.
I'm stumped.
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:57 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, what is your after-pool routine? Do you leave your hair wet and go into the cold night? Do you shampoo your hair and/or shower with soap?
And do you eat/before after these experiences?
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:59 PM on December 9, 2010
And do you eat/before after these experiences?
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:59 PM on December 9, 2010
take swimming lessons and let them teach you how to swim properly.
posted by sweetkid at 1:02 PM on December 9, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by sweetkid at 1:02 PM on December 9, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'm with mermayd on this one. Does it happen at other bodies of water? Other pools even? The shallow pool at the old Y near where I grew up used to make me all chokey and shakey, and it was because I'm a little more sensitive than others to chlorine and there were higher levels in that pool than in the big one.
posted by phunniemee at 1:04 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by phunniemee at 1:04 PM on December 9, 2010
I think cranberrymonger is on the right track and this is hypothermia related.
You may be having trouble generating heat, and you should therefore consider metabolic issues such as thyroid and diabetes, if you are eating normal amounts of food.
posted by jamjam at 1:13 PM on December 9, 2010
You may be having trouble generating heat, and you should therefore consider metabolic issues such as thyroid and diabetes, if you are eating normal amounts of food.
posted by jamjam at 1:13 PM on December 9, 2010
Response by poster: I do remember one incident around when I was 3, when I almost drowned in a lake at a picnic. If that's what this is, what options do I have of getting over it?
It does happen in open body of waters to some extent, although it's nowhere near as pronounced as in the pool. It doesn't happen in the bathtub. It could very well be a temperature thing (I basically have 0% body fat), except this is an extreme stress response, way more serious than anything else I've ever experienced from cold alone.
I try not to eat for two hours or so before going to the pool. When I get out, I just kinda stumble around in a daze, shower, put my clothes on, etc. I shiver pretty much constantly through this and my jaw muscles in particular are tight. I can't even consider food until this passes.
Also, I couldn't swim at all until a few years ago, when I took adult swimming lessons in college. It was probably the hardest class I've taken, on account of this reaction, but I managed to learn to stay afloat and not drown.
posted by vlsd at 1:17 PM on December 9, 2010
It does happen in open body of waters to some extent, although it's nowhere near as pronounced as in the pool. It doesn't happen in the bathtub. It could very well be a temperature thing (I basically have 0% body fat), except this is an extreme stress response, way more serious than anything else I've ever experienced from cold alone.
I try not to eat for two hours or so before going to the pool. When I get out, I just kinda stumble around in a daze, shower, put my clothes on, etc. I shiver pretty much constantly through this and my jaw muscles in particular are tight. I can't even consider food until this passes.
Also, I couldn't swim at all until a few years ago, when I took adult swimming lessons in college. It was probably the hardest class I've taken, on account of this reaction, but I managed to learn to stay afloat and not drown.
posted by vlsd at 1:17 PM on December 9, 2010
I do remember one incident around when I was 3, when I almost drowned in a lake at a picnic. If that's what this is, what options do I have of getting over it?
Not to discourage you from all the other options, but I feel very strongly that you've got it here.
Now. If you are averse to therapy-right-away for solving this issue (which I would be), get a pen and paper and try to retell the event. Several attempts, as many details as possible, including reactions of surrounding people, the weather, whatever, (this comes while writing). Monitor your emotions around this exercise, and try to find out whether there's a connection to your question. If not, dismiss it as a red herring.
posted by Namlit at 1:26 PM on December 9, 2010
Not to discourage you from all the other options, but I feel very strongly that you've got it here.
Now. If you are averse to therapy-right-away for solving this issue (which I would be), get a pen and paper and try to retell the event. Several attempts, as many details as possible, including reactions of surrounding people, the weather, whatever, (this comes while writing). Monitor your emotions around this exercise, and try to find out whether there's a connection to your question. If not, dismiss it as a red herring.
posted by Namlit at 1:26 PM on December 9, 2010
Have you tried eating more before going to the pool instead of not eating anything for two hours before hand? As far as I know, the only reason why people tell you not to eat before swimming is so you don't get a stomach ache. But I don't think it'll do anything bad to you if you try it.
posted by Ashley801 at 1:30 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Ashley801 at 1:30 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If it was me, I'd want to rule out physical causes as best I could. For example, if you go to the same pool and just sit or stand chest-deep in water for 10-15 minutes, does this happen? Do you have access to a saline pool, which does have some chlorine but not in the concentrations you'd experience in a chlorine pool, where you could also experiment?
Shivering, in particular, is the reaction that's catching my eye. Yes, people can get shaky from adrenaline responses, but you specifically said "shivering uncontrollably," which I'm reading as more than "shaky," and that's a real flag.
If you can rule out hypothermia and chemical sensitivities, you can certainly start pursuing therapy - you can probably find a cognitive-behavioral therapist willing to get in the water with you - but it would suck if you struggled through therapy first and then found out later you were actually in physical distress.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:37 PM on December 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
Shivering, in particular, is the reaction that's catching my eye. Yes, people can get shaky from adrenaline responses, but you specifically said "shivering uncontrollably," which I'm reading as more than "shaky," and that's a real flag.
If you can rule out hypothermia and chemical sensitivities, you can certainly start pursuing therapy - you can probably find a cognitive-behavioral therapist willing to get in the water with you - but it would suck if you struggled through therapy first and then found out later you were actually in physical distress.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:37 PM on December 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
Zero % body fat does not sound good if you mean that close to literally, not just that you are thin. That in itself could make you very sensitive to cold and there may be other health issues related to being underweight, if in fact you are. Yes, try to rule out physical causes, then look at the psychological possible causes which could also be the problem, given your experience at age 3.
posted by mermayd at 1:49 PM on December 9, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by mermayd at 1:49 PM on December 9, 2010 [2 favorites]
Do you feel cold? What colour is it under your nails? if its not pink, maybe the hypothermia angle is correct. Try a wetsuit in that case, I did this when i was taking swimming lessons. I'm fine if i get in and keep moving but once i get out i need to get dry.
You don't really need a whole 2 hours without food. a small snack or mean up to 30 mins ahead of time will probably make you feel better. Do chlorine cleaning agents make you sick? It could be a combination of both things.
Or maybe you need therapy.
posted by captaincrouton at 2:00 PM on December 9, 2010
You don't really need a whole 2 hours without food. a small snack or mean up to 30 mins ahead of time will probably make you feel better. Do chlorine cleaning agents make you sick? It could be a combination of both things.
Or maybe you need therapy.
posted by captaincrouton at 2:00 PM on December 9, 2010
mean = meal
posted by captaincrouton at 2:01 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by captaincrouton at 2:01 PM on December 9, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you all for the suggestions. It seems like there are mostly three opinions:
temperature sensitivity seems the most likely to me, since I can't just sit or stand chest-deep in water for more than a minute without getting very cold, shivering and needing to either start moving or get out. I don't have any metabolic problems that I know of, but I could go and ask for a check-up. I obviously can't change the temperature of the pool, so I'll try eating a little closer to when I get into the pool.
chlorine sensitivity is a little bit of a long shot. I don't experience any of its symptoms apart from a slight shortness of breath (no itching, dry skin, etc.). I also don't know how I would test this until summer comes around and I go visit a place with a warm body of water.
an emotional reaction is something I hadn't really considered. I will bring it up with my current therapist whenever I get a chance and see what she thinks about it.
posted by vlsd at 2:02 PM on December 9, 2010
temperature sensitivity seems the most likely to me, since I can't just sit or stand chest-deep in water for more than a minute without getting very cold, shivering and needing to either start moving or get out. I don't have any metabolic problems that I know of, but I could go and ask for a check-up. I obviously can't change the temperature of the pool, so I'll try eating a little closer to when I get into the pool.
chlorine sensitivity is a little bit of a long shot. I don't experience any of its symptoms apart from a slight shortness of breath (no itching, dry skin, etc.). I also don't know how I would test this until summer comes around and I go visit a place with a warm body of water.
an emotional reaction is something I hadn't really considered. I will bring it up with my current therapist whenever I get a chance and see what she thinks about it.
posted by vlsd at 2:02 PM on December 9, 2010
It sounds to me like a combination of temperature sensitivity and skill level. You don't sound comfortable in the water. I feel like it's hard to get warmed up doing breaststroke or backstroke. Those are slow strokes. Do you put your face in the water when doing breaststroke? If not, you're going even slower.
I'd try a couple things. Eat a little closer to your workout time. With temperature sensitivity plus the other stuff, I think that a little more fuel for your fire might be helpful. Give yourself twenty to thirty minutes to digest before getting in the water but no more than that. Especially if you're not pushing yourself very hard.
Grab one of those kickboards and do a 100 kickset to warm yourself up if you're not comfortable doing the crawl stroke. If you're not comfortable with crawl you can use the kickboard to help you get your face in the water and practice your side-to-side breathing. Getting really comfortable with breathing techniques while swimming will lower your blood pressure and take away any "panic" feelings that might be due to general uncomfortableness with water.
Your leg muscles are big and burly and four 25-yard laps with a paddleboard should warm you up. Then try the swimming sets -- some breaststroke, some backstroke, if that's what you're comfortable with.
Also, I don't know if your pool has water aerobics classes but maybe you could do that, get warmed up with the class and then try swimming some laps for additional exercise.
One last thing on the temperature issue. My husband is a life-long swimmer and swam competitively in high school and also later in life. He cannot stand for his feet to get too cold. Wading in the ocean is like torture for him. I asked him how this could be since he has spent so much time in the water and he thinks that when he was young that he got near-frostbite on his feet and has always been more sensitive to cold water there. Who knows? But, maybe if you've had an experience like that, you're just more sensitive in general and with low body fat anyway, you just need to ramp it up, I think. And work on the crawl -- it's a great, efficient stroke that works your whole body.
posted by amanda at 3:33 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd try a couple things. Eat a little closer to your workout time. With temperature sensitivity plus the other stuff, I think that a little more fuel for your fire might be helpful. Give yourself twenty to thirty minutes to digest before getting in the water but no more than that. Especially if you're not pushing yourself very hard.
Grab one of those kickboards and do a 100 kickset to warm yourself up if you're not comfortable doing the crawl stroke. If you're not comfortable with crawl you can use the kickboard to help you get your face in the water and practice your side-to-side breathing. Getting really comfortable with breathing techniques while swimming will lower your blood pressure and take away any "panic" feelings that might be due to general uncomfortableness with water.
Your leg muscles are big and burly and four 25-yard laps with a paddleboard should warm you up. Then try the swimming sets -- some breaststroke, some backstroke, if that's what you're comfortable with.
Also, I don't know if your pool has water aerobics classes but maybe you could do that, get warmed up with the class and then try swimming some laps for additional exercise.
One last thing on the temperature issue. My husband is a life-long swimmer and swam competitively in high school and also later in life. He cannot stand for his feet to get too cold. Wading in the ocean is like torture for him. I asked him how this could be since he has spent so much time in the water and he thinks that when he was young that he got near-frostbite on his feet and has always been more sensitive to cold water there. Who knows? But, maybe if you've had an experience like that, you're just more sensitive in general and with low body fat anyway, you just need to ramp it up, I think. And work on the crawl -- it's a great, efficient stroke that works your whole body.
posted by amanda at 3:33 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've had something very similar to this - uncontrollable shaking/dizziness/nausea for an hour or so at a time - only for me, it happened in the middle of the night rather than in the water.
It happened almost every night for months, and I was a zombie from lack of sleep and lost a LOT of weight. I also assumed it must be a physical thing because I wasn't actually panicky at all during the episodes, but my doctor couldn't find a cause. I was a little taken aback at first when she suggested that it might be panic attacks, but a low dose of an anti-anxiety med did the trick, so that must have been it. (I tried therapy first, but it had no effect at all - it was hard to talk about anxiety I wasn't conscious of feeling. The whole trying-to-find-a-treatment process went on over several months, it's not like I just jumped right into medication.)
I wanted to share because your experience has so many elements in common with mine - definitely see your doctor first, but don't rule out anxiety completely.
posted by ella wren at 4:32 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
It happened almost every night for months, and I was a zombie from lack of sleep and lost a LOT of weight. I also assumed it must be a physical thing because I wasn't actually panicky at all during the episodes, but my doctor couldn't find a cause. I was a little taken aback at first when she suggested that it might be panic attacks, but a low dose of an anti-anxiety med did the trick, so that must have been it. (I tried therapy first, but it had no effect at all - it was hard to talk about anxiety I wasn't conscious of feeling. The whole trying-to-find-a-treatment process went on over several months, it's not like I just jumped right into medication.)
I wanted to share because your experience has so many elements in common with mine - definitely see your doctor first, but don't rule out anxiety completely.
posted by ella wren at 4:32 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
maybe you have an easily triggered Mammalian Diving Reflex
posted by jrishel at 7:07 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by jrishel at 7:07 PM on December 9, 2010
I tried swimming in the pool at University after years of growing up thinking that any water temperature under around 85 was cold. It was not nearly as bad as your experience, but I do remember being a little shaky and dizzy, having that raw nasal-drip-y feeling and being generally unhappy. Indoor pools are definitely not my favorite.
I would also shiver on being forced to swim in a lake in Michigan, and never managed to have fun until the year where I convinced myself I was going to Swim and Enjoy It. It actually worked. Also I may have had more body fat by that point. I was pretty much a walking (running, jumping, climbing) twig as a wee one.
I suggest swimming in Florida (possibly also Arizona or New Mexico) in the summer! It's so much better when the water is warm.
posted by that girl at 8:13 PM on December 9, 2010
I would also shiver on being forced to swim in a lake in Michigan, and never managed to have fun until the year where I convinced myself I was going to Swim and Enjoy It. It actually worked. Also I may have had more body fat by that point. I was pretty much a walking (running, jumping, climbing) twig as a wee one.
I suggest swimming in Florida (possibly also Arizona or New Mexico) in the summer! It's so much better when the water is warm.
posted by that girl at 8:13 PM on December 9, 2010
I swim in a neoprene wetshirt and it really helps with the cold. Maybe something like that would help if cold is the issue. Also swim socks.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 11:32 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by a humble nudibranch at 11:32 PM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Namlit at 12:53 PM on December 9, 2010 [2 favorites]