Hi Catherine--very sorry about the trouble you had. I would ask my doctor, if I were you, what he/she recommends before you go outside to do any kind of work that will provoke a sweat like the one you just had.

I am pretty sure 1-2 8 oz glasses of water and an 8 oz glass of gatorade would help, along with a piece of fruit, before you go out. That would cover all your water, electrolyte and sugar needs for at least 45 mionutes gardening (I THINK--but ask your doctor).

Hi Catherine --

Newbie here (very excited!).... anyway, just wanted to let you know that I've always had the same problem. I'm fairly young and have been like this for as long as I can remember, and at all weights. Some of us are just cursed with the sweating bug. Ugh!

Brandy

Thanks susan,
I tend to get a bit behind in hydration, and I think that happened today. Unfortunately, when I do hydrate myself well ahead of time, I seem to spend all my time running back into the house to pee!
I think the gatorade and fruit might help keep the fluid in me. Thanks for your suggestions susan.

Hi Brandy,
We must have been writing at the same time.
I guess its just we some of us have to do to keep from getting overheated. I can honestly say I've never seen anyone sweat has much as I seem to need to! I haven't really worked much outside yet this year because of all the rain, but I guess I really forgot how much I need to drink ahead of going out.
I sure felt horrible.........almost thought about calling an ambulance.
I've been inside drinking for about 2+ hours now and I still feel bad. I think once we get behind like this, it takes awhile to catch up. Plus, I think the older we get, the less we can tolerate the stress of getting behind.
Thanks Brandy.

I agree Catherine. Once you get yourself dehydrated like that by sweating.... it takes a good while for your body to put itself back to "normal". Definitely start out with a banana and a Gatorade before you head out next time! :) When I'm out gardening I have to carry a towel to wipe my face with. Once I get out there planting and weeding, it just starts.

That said.. it couldn't hurt to see the doc, just in case, you know? I had a full cardio work up and got an A-OK, so I don't worry much about it.

Take care,
Brandy

No but I am having a problem with no heat.

It's cool here...some love it but warm weather crops do need mid 80s heat and warm nights.

No heat here. Coldest weather on record as far as I've heard. I just saw the long-range summer forecast for the 48 states. Only one area was forecast to be below average in temperature. Right here. West of the Cascades between the California border and southern British Columbia.

I have a similar problem with heat. My doctor said I need to hydrate better (and not just right before or after I go out) She also said water is OK, but really, gatorade or something with electrolites is necessary. I went out and bought some gatorade powder, and have been mixing that into my water bottle, and it helps! Maybe this will help you too!
Meg

new to this forum (having sneeked in from garden junk) but my friend has the same problem. as a nurse let me say this- eat a light snack (fruit, cheese and crackers) before going out. take some gatorade or proper water with you. rest frequently and you can do a lot of weeding in the sitting position. either use a plastic chair or sit on a mat on the ground for as much as you can. when you get to feeling that - OMG! i feel weak, nasty, lightheaded, whatever, get in the shade and drink that gatorade you have handy. last but not least have your cell phone or cordless in your pocket.

Thanks everyone,
You've given me good suggestions.
I'm still feeling pretty bad today. I woke up with a migraine aura and had another one later.......so I think its a mixture of dehydration/menopause/migraine. What fun! I think I'm going to live, but unfortunately, when I look out at the garden, I get a very unfriendly, scary feeling! I think I'm going to have to slowly work back into being friends with the garden!
But it has been a strong reminder to prepare my body well in advance of going out in this weather.
Thanks again!

sounds like you are having heart problems. I would see a doctor. You may have cholesterol blocking up your veins and arteries. It sounds like you came close to dieing. I am serious here. You better get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. and it is serious.

I had something similar and wound up almost dead in the night. Do not be stupid like me. I was self diagnosing myself just like you are doing. But this time it is serious.

You do not give the important info. like where you live, your age, your weight, your health conditions etc. You definitely have a serious problem. This is nothing to ignore. Get to a doctor immediately and get fully checked out.

If the veins are plugging up from cholesterol then you get all the systems you mention. Tim Russert on TV died from this last week. The blood does not flow and get oxygen and you get hot and tired and weak. etc.

PLEASE GET TO A DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND GET FULLY CHECKED OUT.

MY EMERGENCY Helicopter ride to the operating table was $6000. If I had gone in early, I could have saved a most expensive ride to the hospital and also saved damage to my heart etc.

Have you been checked out for diabetes?