Exercise and treatment

[COMPTO]

I started treatment friday night, 1 shot down and 27 more to go. My question has anyone noticied changes after working out. I went to the gym Monday night I was feeling good all day monday, after working out, my flu like systoms reappeared. And are still with me today. Does anyone know much about trying to exercise while on treatment?

[missy60051]

I only had to read the first 2 responses to start laughing.
I envy anyone who could exercise during tx.
going up and down my stairs kill me.  
Would if I could!
The only exercise I can handle is walking from one end of the house to the other and then rest, then eventually get enough energy to get up the stairs.

Do what you can for as long as you can.  

Missy

[lab-rat]

Wow, that's too bad that the Procrit isn't doing the trick.  I would be extremely depressed if I couldn't remain active.  I'm sure that once you're done tx'ing you'll be able to get back into it fairly easily.  It sounds like you were in great shape prior to treatment so that has to make a difference in the ability to rebound afterwards (I believe).   Hang in there!!  Hopefully this will all be over soon.

[merlino]

I am on Procrit. Anemia had been such a battle for me. I am also very very thin. I just hope after being away for such a long period of time I can get back to where I was. I am not a youngster (51) but always took care of myself.My brother owned a gym so I started working out when I was 23. I can't believe in 6 months what this tx can do to a person.

[lab-rat]

Thanks...I don't think I really deserve any credit - it's probably more due to luck than anything else!  I sometimes feel guilty when I post that I'm feeling well when others are having so much difficulty...but I did want to share another side of the story.

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been able to keep up your usual pace during treatment.  Are you on any rescue meds for the anemia?  That might make a difference in getting your energy back  (as I'm sure you already know).

I was also very concerned about potential muscle loss (I'm on the thin side to begin with) - so that has been another motivating factor for me.   But I can certainly relate to those missing brain cells - I don't know what to do about those (besides ignore it)!  I hope some of them come back when treatment ends.  We'll find out when it happens.  Good luck to you!

[merlino]

Wow, I give you lots of credit to be able to do this. I wish I could! I have been a gym-rat (I like that) for most of my life but once I started tx it ended. It is so depressing now all my muscle tone is gone. I can hardly catch my breath walking up a flight of stairs. I was hit with anemia very early in tx.I am on week 28 ( I think). Along with muscle loss some brain cells have passed on! Good luck with the rest of your tx.

[merlino]

Wow, I give you lots of credit to be able to do this. I wish I could! I have been a gym-rat (I like that) for most of my life but once I started tx it ended. It is so depressing now all my muscle tone is gone. I can hardly catch my breath walking up a flight of stairs. I was hit with anemia very early in tx.I am on week 28 ( I think). Along with muscle loss some brain cells have passed on! Good luck with the rest of your tx.

[Proactive]

"by excersise do you mean like tying your shoes" ROFL!!!!!!!!!!! ain't it the truth.
You put a smile on my face and a laugh in my belly, thanks I needed it..After hybernating all Winter I'm am starting up a job Monday and feel like I may have to hire someone to tie my shoes!!!!
PRO

[traveler65]

I exercised every day prior to tx and up to about week 5 when the anemia hit me good. I am at week 13 now and after 6 weeks on procrit I am still not able to do much more than a good flight of stairs or a short walk. I guess it hits everyone different. Also, I have read that being anemic means that your getting enough riba which gives a better chance of SVR. Maybe it's just BS, but who knows. I was UND at my 4 week PCR.

[lab-rat]

I just wanted to offer another perspective...I'm really more of a gym-rat than a lab-rat, and fortunately I've been able to continue my workouts during treatment.  Another poster (theflyjd) has actually run a few marathons while treating - so it depends on the individual.  Don't give up just because you believe you're supposed to feel sick.  

I make sure to work out every day because I want to keep my hgb up (the study nurse said it would help).  In the first few weeks of tx, I did have to lower the resistance and use less weight on some of the equipment.  But by about week 10-11 my workout was back to pre-tx levels and may be even more intense now (It seems I have to work harder to break a sweat than I used to - currently week 33).  

Others may tell you not to stress your liver with too much exercise, but just listen to your body.  I always feel better if I get up and move around...No doctor has ever told me to stop exercising so much - (and I've been to quite a few).   Good luck!!

[merlino]

Prior to tx I was in the gym at least 3-4 times a week. I couldn't even imagine lifting right now. I know there are a few members who were able to continue their workout during tx. My exercise now is getting up, dressed and going to work. I look forward to going back but NO WAY till tx is done.

[bobbyullc]

by excersise do you mean like tying your shoes. i usually had to rest after that one.
most of my gym equipt was in the basement so i did no excersise as i could not manage the stairs, down was ok but up?