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MedHelp Member's Question

Any Powerlifters or Bodybuilders here?

by PDR, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
.. Or avid fitness enthusiasts?   Just wonndering how your getting along with training and diet while on Interferon.



I started treatment 2 months ago and have been on a huge downhill slide ever since. It is very depressing. Anyone care to compare notes on trying to hang onto training while on treatment?
Member Comments (37)

by meandhepc, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
Yes, on your bad days lay on the couch and use both arms to hold pillow over head and lift up and down, repition 10 times and REST.  Repeat every 2 hours. Also, you can use gallon jug with gatorade and drink from it every 5 minutes with elbows straight out until empty. Then Refill and repeat.  As you walk back and forth to the bathroom, try jogging instead. (If you are like me, you will  'always' be jogging to the bathroom.

Hope this helps.....seriously tho, keep your humor and learn your own limits. Hope this comment gives a smile to you.

by madbyron, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: PDR
I guess as a cyclist I qualify as a fitness enthusiast, but for now I'm taking a break from it. I ride a little just to keep all the parts working, but I know I can't go like I like to without springing leaks so I've put it aside for the year. Like meandhepc said, I think it's best to accept your temporary limitations with good humor and use the time to be productive in other ways.

by Galen, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: madbyron
Oh, was I supposed to be productive this year.  Rats!  I managed to stay working fulltime and use my eliptical trainer at least 3 times a week, but that is it.  I exercise my fingers on the phone buttons, remote control buttons and my computer keyboard.  I used to do Hatha Yoga 4-6 times a week, some weights, and cardio too, but I've accepted the fact that I am no way going to look and feel like me this year.  I accept that surviving this sh*t is what I am doing this year and the rest can wait.

by madbyron, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: Galen
Yeah, I guess sticking with the tx program is as productive as one could hope to be. I thought about taking up yoga, but it never amounted to anything more than a nice thought. You're right, it can all wait. But my remote control fingers are stronger than ever!!

by DH Bill, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: Madbyron
Do you mean cyclist as in roadie? I used to be until I got hooked on dirt. I had to quit DH MTB racing this spring because it was wearing me out. I have been xc riding but I just started tx last Thursday so I keep waiting for the hammer to fall. It will be very hard not to be able to ride if it comes to that but I am hoping for the best.

by madbyron, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: dh bill
I wondered if "dh" was for skiing or riding. yeah, I'm a roadie most of the time. I ride off-road a little, but I mostly like to log the road miles. 30 weeks into tx, I now just ride the mtb around the block when I'm up to it, which is not everyday. I hope you fare better.

by TravisB, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: PDR
I did 24 weeks of TX and worked out two hours a day 6 days per week.  Some days I went in tired, weak and depressed but almost always managed to get a good work out in.  No matter how I felt going in I ALWAYS walked out feeling better.  The only good thing I did during TX was work out.  After the workout the day was all down hill both mentally and physically.



The one thing I had to give up 4 weeks into TX was running.  I just didn't have the juice for it and didn't want to break down too much.  But that was an individual thing.  Some people keep up there cardio work for much of the TX.



Try to drag yourself into the gym unless you're really feeling sick.   A lousy workout is better than no workout at all. You'll lift less weight, do less reps and all that. But in the long run, what does it matter as long as you get in there,see some friends, work your body and get some endorphines going.  Good luck and hang in there.  Travis

by oldhippiechick67, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: Galen § all
Galen, she said Productive in other ways!! You are a saint to be working full time, I dont know how ya do it...I cant stand for longer than....well I guess I can stand long enuf to do the grocery shopping, but that poops me out for the day!  My mind wanders and fogs so I cant work in the profession I used to, plus the fatigue is intense.  An "atta boy/girl" and hats off to those able to work.  OHC67

by harley dude, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: PDR
My first 5 weeks on pegasys-copegus was very hard, couldn't even go to work, slept most of the time, and the other times just laid there and watched the tube, ok- week 6 for some unknown strange reason I started feeling better, went back to work, 10 hour days outside mind you in nearly 100 degree weather (LA.), and I also lift weights in the morning before work and in the evening after work, don't know if I'll be able to continue this, but as for as right now I feel great. I'm on week #8, so that's 3 weeks I've been without hardly any sides, who knows if this is going to last. I'm no big time body builder, I just like to keep my muscles toned a little. I believe like everyone has always said on this forum- (evrybody is different, no one has exactly the same sides, some come and go, some stay throught tx, some diminish completely during tx at different times, so everyone has to deal with this tx in there own little way- Good Luck-- HD

by TravisB, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: Mofosr
I stayed with exercise not so much out of mental strength but more as a way of maintaining some semblence of the fun part of my life.  I lost interest in sex and for the most part lost interest in seeing friends.  So working out was a way of staying in touch with some good things.



I worked part time and also lived on savings.  I could have worked those few hours I spent at the gym but I figured it was important to keep working out and get some enjoyment out of life.  I'm glad I did it even if my savings went down a lot.



I didn't use Procrit, Nuepogen or anti-depressants.  Not having to use Procrit and Nuepogen was just luck, the no on antiD's was choice.



I agree that people over do and end up getting wasted or sick especially on TX.  It's really important to keep doing it but also remember that you now have new (lower) limits while on TX.  I know for sure that if I had kept running, I'd have gotten sick with at least a cold maybe more because of the TX.  Anyway, hang in there and good luck with TX. Travis

by Revenire, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
To: PDR
I can barely mow the lawn without being winded these days -- week 31.



by quak, Aug 11, 2003 12:00AM
I love to exercise -- run and lift weights 4 times a week.  I was truly in great shape.  Now I can bearly lift a ten pound weight to do a curl.  I've just had to let it go and when I have strength I'll go to the gym and unfortunately after I feel sick.  I'll be done soon and get back to it.



Lori



by mofo, Aug 12, 2003 12:00AM
I'm still trying to surf. Mostly, I'm just paddling-out.  I think it really helps to try and add some physical activity. I don't have the energy I normaly do. I think this stuff turns us into vampires. The sun really is hard to take, and when I get into the water, sometimes I start to chiver. My body temp is all messed-up. Good luck

by fullofhope, Aug 12, 2003 12:00AM
To: Travisb
You are really an inspiration to everyone!  I am not even on TX and I don't go to the gym like that.  Used to - but got lazy.  Now you made me feel like I have no excuses!

by DiveWrite, Aug 12, 2003 12:00AM
I wasn't in good shape to begin with, and if the truth were known, I had become one big-butt recliner-diner. I'm a writer, and a friend told me that if I wasn't going to exercise, I should at least go out and buy a heavier pen. Instead, I went out and bought a computer. Many people live lives devoid of exercise, but I was getting by without movement. Well, that’s not quite true. I did manage to make my rounds between the refrigerator, recliner and toilet, albeit with an ever-decreasing pace.  



As my movements became slower and slower, my computers became faster and faster. Not so long ago, however, I did move fast, 120mph fast, but that was before an injury caused me to give up skydiving. As an athlete in high school I lettered in three different sports and won several awards. But as the out-of-shape lazy person I had subsequently become, I was severely limited in the sports I could play, which is why I took up skydiving. You need not be in top condition to simply fall through space.



I would like to be able to blame my obvious lack of discipline on, “ the treatment.” However, my degeneration had begun long before I was even diagnosed with hepatitis. In any case, I am actually looking forward to treatment, which is scheduled to begin this month. There is a good chance that I might shed a nice chunk of weight. Who knows? It could even be the first step on a road to rejuvenation. Get out of my way Armstrong, Hep-man is on your tail.    



DW, otherwise known as RJ

by PDR, Aug 12, 2003 12:00AM
I think that trying to keep up with workouts is,like travis said, a way of keeping a positive in your life. And I know that it helps me keep some piece of mind. However, these days I seem to be only able to go in spurts.  I'll stict with the program for a week then suffer 3-4 days of fatigue and nausea. And have to take some days away from the gym. Exercise has always been a huge part of my life. And if I had to stop completely I would surely go insane. My workouts are no were near what they used to be. I have half the strength and stanima I used to.



I think I can only manage 4 days per week of weights and some cardio now. I can't even seem to eat enough to maintain any great level of exertion.



I was (am) a state level powerlifter. Before starting treatment. I weighed 260lbs. I lost 20lbs during my first 3 weeks of treatment. And literally could not get out of bed.



Someone told me that your body would gradually get use to the Pegasys and the side effects wouldn't be so bad.  I'm 2 months into treatment now, and still feel very, very bad. This week was really tough for me.  



But I suppose I will try to make it back into the gym when I feel up to it. I may cut workouts down to 3 times per week.



I just wanted to see how others were coping.

by layla, Aug 12, 2003 12:00AM
It's great to hear all of you keeping up with some exercise