Post TX and exercise

[capealava]

I am 1 month post TX 24 weeks Genotype 3.  Undetected from week 4.  I exercised regularly before treatment and it was the first activity I wanted to resume after TX.  Exercise has been difficult and sometimes it seems to make me feel ill later in the day. Regardless of that, if the virus is gone or not gone I do not see how exercise can be harmful even if one exercises to much and gets the opposite reaction one expects. Exercise it good right?? If the virus is gone exercising to early or to much will not bring it back-Right? If one's liver is damaged then exercise may bring fatigue instead of well being or possibly  exercise is always helpful no matter what. I have read posts that exercise reduces your immune system. So what--if the virus is gone -it is gone. I do expect post side effects, but I feel I can just exercise my way through them and not harm myself. Also went to the beach and for a few days and got some sun after 6 months that also made me feel a bit off. These are probably all post tx related.. So I feel bad-so what. How can I harm my liver with exercise and a bit of sun. Any comments appreciated. My doctor has given me no warning about exercise or just enjoying myself at the beach. I would rather work myself through the side effects than just do nothing or take another pill. Any comments would be appreciated.

[capealava]

Thank you for all the posts

[Cory255]

Exercising through the fatigue will be challenging.  Eliminating alcohol, eating a healthful diet, avoiding stress, finding time for relaxation and performing moderate exercise are ways to fight the virus.  There is usually no restriction from exercise for people with hepatitis C, but your choice should be discussed with your doctor. The type of exercise you choose will depend on how fit you were before you became ill, how your body reacts, and what you enjoy. Appropriate activities for beginners are walking, swimming, cycling or low-impact aerobics. T'ai chi and yoga are good for reducing stress and calming the body and work well for those who suffer from anxiety and irritability. However, some yoga techniques are very rigorous, so ask beforehand to determine whether they are appropriate. Don't forget to include resistance training a couple of times a week to maintain or build muscle. Beginners should start slowly with lower weights, gradually adding weight as they get stronger. If you have questions, consult an exercise professional who has experience working within the parameters of HIV and HCV and who understands the limitations and modifications associated with both diseases.

http://www.hepcprimer.com/nutri/nutri-19.html

[capealava]

My immune system did not recognize the virus from the beginning. It is the magic of the virus that keeps it replicating new forms and that is why we have to be poisoned to kill it. My immune system has  probably been compromised by the treatment meds. I fail to understand how exercise can possibly bring back the virus. If some remains then I am screwed anyway. If it is gone it is gone. It has been poisoned along with me except I survived and it did not. I may catch a cold or something else by lowering my  weak treatment affected immune system through exercise,  but that is another story. But as for the exercise making a bringing the virus back -I must disagree. I do appreciate the posts however and there precautionary theme.

[Bali05]

I am an avid excersiser and I agree with NYgirl.
High performance athletes are very prone for infection because their immune system
is lowered.It can be very tricky because excersise can make you feel real
good by producing endorphins but it can lower your immunity if over done
and it is not that easy to see when that starts.
I read this all the time people reach EOT and can not wait to get back to normal.
EOT in my view is a very misleading term. All it means is you stop taking the meds.
When you run your SVR PCR is when you reach the true end of tx because that`s
when you get your result.

[nygirl7]

Well the only downside I can think of is at one month post you are not technically SVR. Part of the reason we take interferon is so that when we stop treatment if there are any stragglers left around it has them  taught our immune system to get them and kick their butts. So perhaps that is what you mean about your immune system being lowered.

Once you are definitely SVR I'd say go nuts but thinking of it this way - I wouldn't really want to lower my immune system all that much right away.

Of course personally I think once it's gone, it's gone but knowing the function of interferon...you gotta really make sure it's gone.

So I agree with FLG build your body up slowly (as you should do anyway) that way you won't hurt yourself physically by doing too much at one time and you won't risk lowering your immune system at all.

Either way you are probably 100% fine - but you asked and this is just the precautionary answers I think.

[FlGuy]

There is no reason why you should not be out getting some exercise on them bones.  Be sensible in working up to you desired level of effort.  Kill two birds with one stone, get out in the fresh air and sunshine and take your life back.  Good luck.