Oh boy...

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Lifting for 3 years, first year was playing around, second year injured my back, did a lot of mobility work (before I discovered SS). Third year learned Low bar form Alan and did other things, in during Summer of third year I discovered Stronglifts 5x5. Started at 135 Bench, 95 Low bar, 135 Bent over row, 65 OHP, skipped Deadlift for a bit because of fear of injury. Got the numbers to ~170 Low bar, 165 bench, 145 Bent over row, 105 OHP, 225 sumo Deadlift (I know I know… but I got gained confident in deadlifting) in ~2-3 months. Was eating ~2000 cal on rest, ~2500 to 4000 cal on training (depends on how far into stronglifts I was, eating healthy, ate like Thrall) During that time of training I kept having asthma attacks during sleep, got that corrected with Advair. Stronglifts was to much on CNS, I discovered SS. Did SSLP for a few months got the number to 215 x 1 low bar, 225 x 1 Sumo (I know I know…) , 110 OHP, 160 Bench (wanted to max on squat before 2017 was over) (ate slightly less, was less hungry with SSLP)

I did Ogus 753 for a month in between Stronglifts and SSLP because I was burnt from doing powerlifting, Ogus 753 is a hypertrophy/powerlifting program.
Possible Sleep Apnea crossed my mind and Dr. Baraki mentioned “a sleep study sounded reasonable, given my symptoms” on another forum post.
I took an at home test and could not fall asleep for two nights in a row, could not get any juicy data and I had to turn the machine in, since then (been about 2 weeks) my energy level, motivation, and willpower has been horrible. I keep thinking to myself how the lack of gains, progression and being skinny fat was linked to having sleep apnea. I somewhat created a self fulfilling prophecy with this situation and started behaving like a victim, gained 6 lbs (little to no training 2 weeks), putting the blame on sleep apnea I may or may not have (sleep doc says my sinus congestion is very bad along with a long soft palate)

Besides waiting for the next available spot to redo my sleep study, how do I get out of this rut? If I sound like a “special snowflake” then please inform me.
Should I continue SSLP? Which program will get me back in the groove, would like to get some gains going. My strength drops quickly so I have trouble with 145 lbs bench.

P.S When I train, I go so hard that I sometimes get light headed, not sure if that is not suppose to be apart of SSLP lol
Sorry for a long post, thank you for taking your time for reading over this and possibly responding.

https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/forums/medical-q-a-with-dr-jordan-feigenbaum-and-dr-austin-baraki/3055-possible-sleep-apnea

That is a no on the treatment for allergic rhinitis, having internet connection apparently thought that had posted.
Thanks

2

I would again suggest that yet get evaluated for allergic rhinitis and get the sleep study done.

Do you have a history of anxiety or depression?

You may require additional evaluation for other things as well (e.g., thyroid), which should be discussed with your physician.

3

I am scheduled to take another at home sleep study this upcoming Tuesday. He practice Pulmonology as well as sleep medicine, he prescribed me Allegra as well as flonase to take before I sleep. He did not say anything about allergic rhinitis (which I’ll ask about), he did tell me however that I needed to see an ENT doctor. Due to not having insurance in the US I need to have these test spread out. Hopefully a CPAP can help bandage/correct these symptoms.
I have no written history of anxiety or depression, but I can tell I can have a good amount of negative emotions ie anxiety and anger (which I try to do meditation for), I will look into that after I can get my sleep corrected if that is the culprit behind all of this.
Thyroid? Will do.
This may seem unethical but is there something that I can do before my sleep study to induce sleep apnea besides gain a lot of weight? After having these nagging symptoms (listed in tagged link), and spending money for 2 sleep test and a doc consultation, I would hope to be prescribed a CPAP as he says I might have it which is why he suggesting an at home sleep study.
As far as training goes, what would you recommend?
Thank you.

4

The Allegra and Flonase are used to treat Allergic rhinitis.

It will only help if your problem is actually obstructive sleep apnea.

Yes, I am getting the sense that you have issues with anxiety and possibly depression.

This is ridiculous.

I suspect that you can make progress on the novice program. If all the standard recovery factors have been addressed and you are still not making progress, you might move on to one of the many intermediate programming options that we’ve discussed at length elsewhere on the site.

5

Had a strong feeling that was a pretty crazy question about the inducing lol. Thanks Doc, enjoy your weekend! :smile: