exercise, hep c and tx?

[shastri20032003]

Hi friends,
Hepatologist has advised gentle exercise like stretching while on tx....presume this is to avoid fatigue and to stop our AST/ALT levels from rising

The information on the different websites seem to be conflicting on this issue of exercise while on tx. Some suggest to go for it while others recommend to go slow

Is it ok to play strenuous sports like tennis  within  our limitations, without getting fatigued, or is that a no no?
Any comments would be welcomed
Regards

[Deb_c430]

Some really good comments on here from you all.  Good advice.
So much depends on your RBCs and such.

But I do agree,  laying around to much I think makes you feel worse, (ok somedays that is all YOU CAN DO)

I try and do light stretching at minimum everyday, walks even shorts ones.  Access to a pool is good and also comforting to achy bones.

I also have a tai chi and the other one I forget the name, I find it relaxing,  You would all day llaughing seeing me try and do it! I am a clutz!

But it is good to keep your blood and oxgen moving through your lungs and liver.  

As long as your body can keep up it is a good thing, you may have to change what you do, walk instead of run,  go to lighter weights, it is good to confuse your muscles anyway.

Like jamima said heart monitor a good tool.

[jamimapuddle]

I recommend using a heart rate monitor if your going to exercise on tx.
That way you can stay away from the high intensity stuff that lowers your immune system, and stay in your lower end of your cardio zone, which helps your immune system.  The biofeedback is awesome also!

[orleans]

Some of HRs comments http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/357427

[SenorD]

it's good to hear that u r able to ride.  May i ask how often did u ride before as compared to now, and how long can u ride these days? and how do u feel after each ride?

i dont race but swim, run n bike are the sports i do daily with intensity.  i am about to have my tx, and my friends suggested i should take it easy with my training.  they were concerned that i might exhaust all my energy and cause more harm.

thanks!

[pigeonca]

That is awesome, cycling during tx.  Kudos!  Expecially with low HGB.  You are a role model for all of us.  OTH, some of us can barely climb a flight of stairs, and in that case, we need to do what we CAN do and just sort of stay in practice.  It's very easy during tx to just molder in bed with the remote control and a stack of detective novels.  Then all we need is the bon bons, but they taste like Revereware.

[traveler65]

Prior to TX I exercised every day. Brisk 3 mile walk or 9 mile bike ride followed 4 times per week with weight training for 30 minutes. By the 3rd week of TX I could only walk about 1.5 miles or bike 6 miles, and could not do weights on the same day. I'm starting week 7 tomorrow, and yesterday after my walk I had to lay down because I felt like I was exhausted. I am now exercising every other day as every day is to much. I will be starting on procrit this week as my hemo is at 9.9. Hopefully I will be able to get back to exercising every day once my hemo goes back up. You can only do so much, and if you overdo it could get you in trouble.

[shastri20032003]

So the general consensus is that the level of exercise is inversely proprotional to how badly we are hit by the sx
It is basically a balancing act which though must be done at the most in moderation
Thank you guys for your opinions which have been helpful
Regards

[pepelowpost]

I completed tx about 2months ago,but while treating i was able to play b-ball 2 or 3 days a week up until my 15 week. after the 15 week i was to tired to do any exercise.I am now walking about 3 miles a day and feeling good hope t too get back on the hardwood soon.

[SandyBreeze]

I am not in treatment and only recently diagnosed.  My exercise routine was brought up this week in my consultation.  He advised that I would know when, if necessary, to slow down, etcetra.(If treatment was decided upon).

I am not qualified to answer, not understanding treatment myself,  however believe that some activity (if possible) is important to maintain.  I would continue as much as possible.   We understand our own limits, and those are bound to change under this powerful combo.

[SandyBreeze]

A warm thread with sincere responses from all participants.

pidgeonca -  A nice work out (and not just for an 'unathletic 63 year old' - bravo!)  Although feeling exhausted it is refreshing to read that you've decided to go around that 'block' 2-3 times a week.  A fine attitude and good for you!  It is pushing when you don't feel like it or think you can't that counts the most.  I'm not treating yet, however reading your words shows a perservering person.  You give good advice though in still keeping it light on this strong meds - - I would think a person would need a lot more rest than normal, as rest and sleep are also healing and strengthening.  

Stick with that plan of hiring a personal trainer upon completion - a great end of treament gift for yourself, indeed!

[redsaleen97]

I've been wondering about this too. I'm in week 6 of tx and seem to be adjusting to the point where I can resume cycling again. Last year I was doing 100 mile rides in around 5 hours. I'm weaker now, w/ hemoglobin of 10.7. I seem to run out of gas much quicker, but for anyone who is considering tx, I would strongly recommend getting an exercise program together BEFORE treating and building up as much strength as possible before tx.

[shastri20032003]

I am only on wk 2 and I guess I will take it easy

As you clearly described, maybe at beginning of tx we do have the stamina but progressively as we go further into tx our capacity gradually reduces

Wishing you the best for yr tx

Regards

[pigeonca]

Before tx, for most of the past 25 years, I used to lift weights for 30 minutes three times a week, and walk or powerwalk (intervals) for 30 mins three or four days a week.  In nice weather I would hike in the hills once or twice a month.  I was in pretty good shape for a basically unathletic 63 year old.

Almost instantly after starting tx I felt too exhausted to do much of anything.  Driving to a movie theater, sitting upright for two hours and then driving home - which I did today for the first time since beginning tx - I find myself completely wiped out.  But last week I decided to walk around the block a couple or three times a day and then do one set each of three exercises with weights every day but Sunday.  Yesterday I did my arms (triceps and biceps) and then my shoulders.  Oh my God.  I am sore from that little bit, and this was with half the normal weight, just one set.  

I think our bodies tell us what they want to do, and then we need to do a LITTLE bit more to build ourselves back up.  Keep it light, but keep it up, unless your body tells you can do more.  When I'm finished with tx I may hire a trainer for a few months to help return to my former condition - hope that's possible.

[hippygem]

I would recommend some light exercise depending on how you are feeling on the day, usually we all tend to over do it on the days we are feeling good and suffer for it for the next few days.
It is important to do some form of exercise because once you stop treatment the muscle loss/weight loss that happens returns and is in the form of fat, flab.  I was very thin during tx, I didnt exercise and the weight returned as fat.  Exercise is also good for depression and anxiety.
Go for walks, drink plenty water, whatever you do dont just lie down all the time, stay active when you can, and rest when needed.
Some still work on tx, and those that were athletic continued their sport activities, but if you didnt play tennis or strenuous exercises before tx, well I wouldnt start now.
Hope I made sense and this helps.

Linda

[Aurora1]

I don't think I would have made it through treatment if I had not exercised.  I went to the gym regularly, especially on Monday.  I felt better for it.  My doctor did not encourage me but allowed it as long as I took it easy, which I did.  As time went on I felt strong and now I am in better shape than I have been in in 10 years.  I am also clear of the virus 2 months after finishing treatments.  I say go for it in moderation.

[Tri-guy]

I think the level of exercise you do is dependent on how well your system is handling the sx.  I was fortunate and was able to continue exercising through my treatment.  My doctor thought the exercise helped to curb sx and encouraged me to go for it and for me I think it did help.