Body building/exercise

Does anyone here body build..Also,did you do it while you were on the peg/rib?How did it affect your performance?I am thinkin about tx again...When I was on the nterferon I couldnt run a Block...

[strator]

I had been exercising and lifting fairly regularly before tx, although I'm not talking about 2 or 3 hour workouts with real heavy weights. I also wasn't doing any running though I swam in season and did rope jumping. The last 8 weeks before tx I spent holding a 2inch carbide blade, scraping 5 layers of old paint off an 1800 sq ft concrete wall in an old church, 6 hours a day, stroke by stroke.
On tx: I don't do 'workouts'. I still do a lot of physical working crawling through attic spaces, pulling wire or remodeling work. Carrying sheetrock an lumber sometimes. Even this week I spent 8 hrs one day raking leaves, landscaping and pulling a weighted down, cover off a 16 x 32 pool.
But cardio vascular exercise like the rope jumping or running are out. The arm shoulder strength was diminished even by a few weeks into tx. I feel it the most there, might have something to do with the blood counts and circulation. That's more noticeable now, since xmas I lost 25 lbs. More strength has gone with it. I can still manage to do some heavy work but where I notice it the most is in repetive action(My shoulders were screaming within minutes when I raked), and any time I have to hold my arms up above heart level, like to hang flourescent lights. I've learned to adjust the way and order that I do things like lifting.

The important thing though is I still feel better while I'm doing the physical stuff than on the days where I'm doing paperwork or hanging out. i think it actually helps with the fatigue because of the stimulation of exercise. Til of course works over for the day and I get in the carto go home. Then the fatigue just overcomes me.
I'd say try working out but keep it simple. Don't need a back injury or something while your body's impaired, evevn off tx you don't over do it when your tired right? If the tx and aches are really getting me I still try to twist and turn or do workout bytes, like pop down for just a few pushups, a few times a day.
I think the exercise helps but it's a balancing act.
Be well, be safe,
don

[amirtracy]

Just wanted to say hello to you and i'm hoping you're doing well...tracy

[amirtracy]

I keep telling myself that it'll be over before i know it, but it does seem long doesn't it? i don't know how you work like you do and do this tx. i get exhausted just thinking about it. anyways, i always love your posts. you have a wonderful way of looking at life and it always makes me feel better just reading your thoughts on things. you were a big inspiration for me going into this whole ordeal and i feel like we have much in common other than the obvious. the boys, the booze, the bars....i just wanted you to know i value your wisdom and insight and i hope you get some rest and are able to take some time for yourself. you take care PLEASE and post whenever you can. I know i'm not speaking only for myself when i say WE MISS YOU around here.   tracy

[amirtracy]

oh, btw, your son is one lucky boy...

[strator]

tmangeles - I should  add that one guy I met at a support group worked out at the gym 3days a week on tx, built like a bull but he was upset he was 'down' to benching 300. So remember performance may go down but unless your in competions,look at it this way...you're still working the body at the best IT can handle. Take care of it safely now and you may help your body be able to perform even better in the long run. There are athletes who come back slowly from bad injuries but sometimes are even better than before once they heal. Keep a big eye on your hemoglobin and lab work. Overstressing will do more damage than good. Balance.....

Tracy - nice of you to toss the hello. I enjoy seeing you post a lot more since the beginning of tx. I hope your doing well with treatment, life and all. You sound like your handling things like we knew you could.
Lately I had to stop posting as much though I still read a lot. Just a lot of physical work to do for spring/summer and trying to get more rest. Often I only have time to post at night but sometimes the eyes are too blurry from fatigue and I just know that sleep is calling. Course that's cause I'm always so long winded like my post to fishdoc last night. I sit down thinking I'll check in and get off to bed in 10 minutes, and after I read and blabber away, I realize I've been dazing away here or all over the puter, up past midnight or 1 and have to be up at 6:15. Especailly when I know I wake up every 2 hours.  Sometimes I think I'm just trying to avoid bed cause when I wake up I feel so crappy. Duh, Don. Maybe if you went to sleep...
The best to you Lady,
Don

[dyce]

Hello , lifted alot before tx , now , no way . I work at a physical job, do some stretching but can't lift weights right now . The drop in hmg makes for some charley horses  , the muscles have to have good supplies of o2 to maintain during exercise something I don't have with hmg level at 12.3 . Not a real low level during this tx but I'm usually at a level of 15.5 (pretreatment) just makes it to hard to do right now .

[Pdilly]

I guess the key is to stay as active as you can.  Probably helps keep your mind off of how bad you are feeling.
Not sure if I could run laps but maybe a treadmill watching a movie would do. I will have to wait and see how my body reacts to the meds.

[Pdilly]

I guess the key is to stay as active as you can.  Probably helps keep your mind off of how bad you are feeling.
Not sure if I could run laps but maybe a treadmill watching a movie would do. I will have to wait and see how my body reacts to the meds.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I was diligent in pilates, yoga, and tai bo prior to treatment but had to stop when the anemia kicked in at about week 4.  Though not weight lifting, strength building was a definite part of my workout.  The best way I know to describe my problem was lack of breath and inability to breathe with the poses, postures, and with the cardio.  Now, almost thru (38/48) I resumed the pilates a couple of weeks ago when sx subsided some.  Physical exercise makes the treatment much better though.  

I put Rocker's name out here - I believe he lifts 3x a week and attributes his lack of sides to diet and exercise.