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 My
heart would feel like it skipped a beat and then race out of control - over
and over again while I trained. I went to the doctor who did a basic
ECG and told me it was stress and signed me off work for a couple of weeks.
Initially I was only getting
symptoms in the gym and track so I was sure it wasn't stress. I called
my team doctor who immediately called me to the Olympic Medical Institute
for an exercise ECG. I met Greg Whyte and some of the CRY team and less than
two minutes into the test my symptoms started and the test was suspended and
I was rushed straight to hospital for an echocardiogram. A week later I was back in
London for more tests and an MRI scan. My ECG and symptoms were consistent
with two conditions - ARVC (a condition that can cause young sudden cardiac
death) and RVOT - and they had diagnosed which I had. I
was diagnosed with RVOT-VT.
The treatment was a
lifetime on betablockers, which pretty much ended my chances of continuing
with competitive sport! As soon as I took the betablockers I felt
great - my symptoms stopped and I could start to train. I just managed
to retain my place on the GB team for the 08/09 season but over the next few
months my fitness just got worse and worse. I ended up as a reserve for the
season and every time I tested my power, speed and strength, my scores were
declining at an alarming rate.
In March 2009 I came off the
medication as I was so unhappy with the effect it was having, and my
symptoms returned even more severe than before. I decided to try and
live with it, which turned out to be impossible.
I was exhausted all the time
- sleeping 10 or 11 hours a day - and at its worst I couldn't even walk
without feeling faint. I couldn't complete a full training session and
was devastated, I just felt ill all the time. I lost my place on the GB team
and with it my health insurance, so CRY stepped in and put me in touch with
Dr Sharma [now Professor Sharma] who has been monitoring me ever since.
 He
has explained the condition and the triggers which are not completely
understood, but for me appear to be a combination of adrenaline, exercise
and stress. RVOT-VT is caused by an extra natural pacemaker that starts
firing as well as the main pacemaker and causes the heart rate to shoot up
and all the symptoms I experience.
In December 2009, as
mysteriously and suddenly as my symptoms started, they virtually stopped. I
have been able to start training fully again. I decided to compete in Figure
Competitions (a type of women's bodybuilding) as I needed a goal to aim for
and I have placed 2nd in 3 competitions this year and qualified for next
year's British Finals.
My goal is to compete
internationally in 2011 in Figure Competitions. I have also decided to train
for the World Master Athletics Championships in 2011. In November this year
I was able to return to international Bobsleigh, competing in a European Cup
race and achieving a start placing top 10 in the field, which I was really
proud of considering I never thought I'd race for Team GB again!
I know my symptoms
can return at any time so I am enjoying feeling well and making the most of
being able to train again. I also now have the support of CRY and Professor
Sharma, so as soon as the symptoms return to the severity I had before, I
will have a radiotherapy ablation to cure the problem.
Although the thought of
surgery is a bit scary, just knowing that there is a cure if and when I need
it, means I don't have to worry any more. In the meantime I fully
intend to make the most of every opportunity I have!
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In February 2010
I competed in the British Masters Indoor Athletics Champs and won
Gold in both the 60m and 200m for my age group (W35). Now I'm
aiming to compete at the World Masters Athletics Champs in the
summer - as long as the condition doesn't get worse I think I could
do well! Its funny, a year ago I didn't think any of this
could be possible and although I know I could get ill again I know
it can be treated so I'm not worrying about it! Just enjoying life
and never taking my health for granted any more - just making the
most of every day! [Plymouth Herald, 01/06/2011 -
Hubbard bidding for Masters glory in US]
*
* *
Just wanted to
let you know I won a silver medal in the W35 100m at the
World Masters Athletics
Champs in a new lifetime best time of 12.44; and
I
am the new World Champion for 200m in the W35 age group!
Thanks again for your support, I don't think I'd still be competing
if it wasn't for CRY and Prof Sharma.
Even competing here hasn't triggered any symptoms so far, which is a
massive relief as I was a bit worried the adrenaline from competing
again might trigger it off - but so far, so good! |
I owe so much to the
CRY team, Greg White and Professor Sharma, thanks... you are all amazing
people x
Julia Hubbard
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