Any Powerlifters or Bodybuilders here?

[PDR]

.. 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?

[meandhepc]

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.

[madbyron]

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.

[Galen]

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.

[madbyron]

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!!

[DH Bill]

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.

[madbyron]

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.

[TravisB]

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

[oldhippiechick67]

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

[harley dude]

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

[TravisB]

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

[Revenire]

I can barely mow the lawn without being winded these days -- week 31.

[quak]

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

[mofo]

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

[fullofhope]

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!

[DiveWrite]

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

[PDR]

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.

[layla]

It's great to hear all of you keeping up with some exercise. I am also sorry for those of you sick enough that you can't. I struggle to keep it in my life also. Running is my favorite but some days it's a real killer on tx. I keep going though. I just take a break and walk for a minute if I have to and I don't go for many miles any longer. It really helps me get through this. For the days when I am tired I bought some abs/butts of steeel tapes I can do sitting on the floor at my own pace. I can crack nuts in my but cheeks now. Kidding!! lol. But like you said any little bit help. I chose not to do AD's and the activity is what gets me through it. There used to be days where I cried while running cause I couldn't run like before but in the end I always feel much better than when I don't work out. Once again I am enjoying it. LL

[oldhippiechick67]

I am on my 6th wk of treatment and I havent lost any weight, I think its cuz of the NO exercise routine (I got a stationery bike and treadmill so I could exercise in the house but 2 min on one gets me winded, dizzy & nauseated).  I am getting nauseated much of the time now so maybe my appetite will wane and I might lose a lb or 2.  I was worried the first few weeks  about getting some pain pills (strong ones like Percocet) from the doc for the early bone/muscle/nerve pains, fortunately for time being they have eased up.

DiveWrite good to see you back again, I remember you from when I first came to this site.  Now I understand your name! I've become a BigButtReclinerDiner!  LOL, oh me! oh my!
PDR - misery loves company and its comforting for me to hear that a bodybuilder couldnt get outta bed on Pegasys, I was fearing I was being a wuss.  
Take care all!   OHC67

[ral]

I worked out in Tae Kwon Do at least 3 times a week  and played drums profesionally before tx (week 6) now I am out of breath and have lost about 15 lbs. I guess we have to just be patient,

ral

[PDR]

Boy, what a sorry crew we are !! (just kidding all).

I'm glad that I stumbled on to this forum. I've picked up a lot of good information here.

I wondering if I can ask my doctor if he can prescribe a "pick me up"   Maybe Procrit? Are docs usually open to doing something like this?

[oldhippiechick67]

Procrit is for low platelets/anemia.  Its not a "pick me up". If it is antidepressants that you are thinking of, the docs are usually quite willing to give us those.

[Galen]

At over $500 per injection (I do 40,000U/ML every other week)I sincerely doubt it's use as a "pick-me-up".  My doctor did offer me Ritalin, though.  I declined to put any more drugs into my daily mix as I already take Acyclovir twice a day(kept getting cold sores in my nose), Lexapro for Interferon induced depression, and Neupogen shots once a week for low white counts. Oh, yeah, I also take Ambien about every other night, too.  You might want to try it, tho.

[ral]

What happend to the gentlemen that started tx about a month ago when I did? He said he had raputured a disk at a Black Belt Test. I was just wondering how you are doing?

Sincerely,

ral

[PDR]

folks, when I say "pick me up". I'm reffering to hopefully something that will help give me some strength/vitality/energy back.

[AK - Hepper]

I could use some of that too, every other day or so. If you find it, let me know :-)

[Galen]

When athletes talk about "blood doping" to increase the available oxygen in their blood to boost performance, they are using Procrit illegally.  I thought that is what you were refering to given the title of this thread.  Sorry

[HorseJudge]

I am 51 years old, was diagnosed in 2000. I am 1b stage 3-4 with bridging fibrosis. I am also a horse trainer and riding instructor.  I used to lift weights and many people thought I was a body builder. After starting tx, I lost muscle, stamina and breath! I have always worked like a banshee and finally had to admit that I couldn't do it.  It was very hard to try to pace myself (as I never had in the past!) After 6 months, I still had a significant viral load although it had gone from nearly 700,000 to about 150,000. They took me off tx and I have now been in a clinical trial at UCLA for the past 2 years.  My energy is back (not quite normal, but oh so much better!) and my hair is back, I am working full time again and feel pretty good. Still have to be careful and pace myself, but I am learning! Don't have the strength back, and the muscle tone is not what it was, but I still can do most of what I need to.

[alone and scared]

I was recently diagnose with HEP B.  I came across this old post from August 2003.  I was wondering if any of these people were still logging on medhelp.  If so, could you please provide me with an update.  Has life return completely to normal?  Did you do tx or not?  How are you coping in 2007?  I hope to get some responses.

kappa98 aka alone and scared

[pigeonca]

I used to lift weights for an hour 3 or 4 times a week, and walk briskly for an hour or thereabouts on the other days.  On tx I did manage to walk around the block once a day, and climb a flight of stairs here and there as needed, but my main exercise became making the bed. (Can't stand wrinkled sheets.)

Right before tx I'd had my body fat measured.  Did the math - it turned out that the rest of me (i.e. skin, bone and muscle) weighed 98 lbs.  So after finishing tx, I had the blubber measured again.  Despite losing 14 lbs., the body fat percentage remained the same.  Did the math - the rest of me now weighed 92 lbs.  So I lost 6 lbs. of muscle.  On a smallish woman, that's a heck of a lot of muscle to lose.  

About two weeks after stopping tx, I resumed going to the gym.  Where I used to be so proud of bench pressing 65 lbs., I found 40 lbs to be quite difficult.  Leg pressed 165 before, could only do 110 after. (Those numbers represent 10 reps per set, approximately.)  Now, 4 months later, I'm finally back at my former strength.  But other issues remain, including total amount of energy on a daily basis.  I just cannot make it through the day without an hour or two napping in the afternoon - not exactly conducive to full-time employment.  But it keeps getting better, so I have high hopes.

[dogsledder]

I do not consider myself a "health nut" but I used to work out 2-3 hrs per day, 4 to 5 days per week....cardio...weights...nautilus machines, etc. I also used to do 3 week wilderness dog-sled trips in the Brooks Range and ANWR for the last 9 years. I used to love -40F weather..now air conditioning is too cold (I guess it is the anemia). I definitley need the self-motivation to get to the gym. When I do go, it is for about 1-2 hours, low impact, reduced weights and reps, etc. Travis B has the right idea. When I do go, I feel better afterwards. I definitley have reduced stamina and energy levels. I'm in week 23 of tx (25 to go!).

[alone and scared]

Thanks for sharing.  I laugh because beside from chating on medhelp most of the day, I took an 1 nap her at my desk.  It does help alot.  However, I want to get back in the gym but I have already lost to much weight.  I used to be 198 lbs and now I weigh 183 lbs.  I did re-mulch my front yard last week.  I had to press myself to continue.  I think part of my problem is mental. LOL!  

[wyntre9]

meandhepc

PMG!  ROTF!   Tooooo funny!

PDR,

I can't work now.  I'm at week 36.  I force myself to do 10 minutes of stretches/yoga per day so i don't SHRINK!!!!

Also do the very wimpie gazelle glider for 20 minutes 5 times per week.

That's it!!!!

I am so weak now sometimes i can't believe that this time last year i was carrying AC's up and down 3 flights of stairs and installing them.  (i'm 5'3 135 pounds0

But SOME activity is better than none, unless it makes you nauseaous, dizzy, faint, sick . . . .etc.

On those days you should do NOTHING coz doing too much will wreak havoc for days afterward.

WyntreI

[Magnum]

I did my 3 times a week weightlifting while under TX. It was brutal, but I got through it. Breathing was the hardest part. Naturally, if it's hot in the place you're working out at (like a garage in Summer), I would wait until it cools. The combination of TX and heat while lifting, is too much to bear. Otherwise, the doctor said if I could lift and work out, it would help a lot. Your body and common sense will tell you what to do. Be careful...

Magnum

[lab-rat]

I'm no body-builder, but I am in the gym huffing & puffing every day. I was lucky during my 48 wks of tx and was able to continue throughout.  During the first few weeks of treatment, I did have to decrease the intensity of my work-out (i.e. use less weights on the bench, squat-rack, etc. and a little less tension on eliptical, stairs).  I became winded easily in the very beginning.  However once my body got used to the meds I was able to ramp up my workout and eventually surpassed what I was doing pre-treatment.  I was a fanatic about it since I'm in a clinical trial and Procrit was not an option.  (I was obsessed with my HGB and felt the need to keep moving!)  Maybe you'll be lucky like me.  As others have suggested...at least try to do some sort of activity.  I always feel better if I get up and move around.  

BTW - there was a poster on this forum (theflyjd) that ran a few marathons during treatment (including Boston) - so there's an inspiration for you!  Good luck!

[pigeonca]

I became very depressed when my fitness declined during treatment.  Part of that was reading about all of you admirable people who just kept chugging along, maybe a bit less energetically but doing it nonetheless.  I just couldn't.  If anybody reading this finds themselves in my boat, I just want to say that the energy will return after the meds start leaving your system, and that it's true: muscles have a memory, and building them up takes about half the time required to gain the strength the first time.

[GoofyDad]

Squat-rack? Hmmmm..... sounds intriguing...maybe I'm gonna need to check out a gym after all

[Frank J. Perrotta]

Another cyclist here. I started single speed fixed gear road riding in San Francisco and was pretty proud of myself being able to ride the hills of SF on a fixed gear. I also ran a couple miles a day usually from my city center apt thru the hills of SF to Golden Gate Park.

I am the opposite of many here in that I gained a ton of weight thru treatment! Even though I continued to run/ride thru treatment and full body cramps, even thru a balanced diet. I would gain a pound or two every month up to a grand total of nearly 50 lbs.

I had a bad case of diarrhea where I could not even keep water down for a week but, yeah, I gained a pound that week too. It seemed that my metabolism had completely stopped working!

Now my body has stopped working and I can barely do any exercise now two years after ending treatment! I am taking in about 1200 cal and still cant lose weight! My body is in chaos.

I have finally found a doc who seems to understand whats going on and he doesnt seem happy.

Good luck all,
frank