physical activity on riba?

[attagrl]

Hi all. I start a new all-oral study next week that includes riba and non-riba arms; I'll find out the day I start the drugs which arm I'll be in. I'm starting to get very nervous about the risk of anemia with ribavirin; for obvious day-to-day reasons, but also largely because I'm a runner and training for my first half-marathon in October. The more I've read on this forum, the more I'm getting scared that I'm not going to have the energy to walk up the stairs, let alone run 13 miles. I'm hoping to find out if anyone has been able to keep up with an exercise regimen while on ribavirin, and if so, how much it impacted you. In the end, if I have to walk some or all of the race, I will, but d****it, I really really want to run it. :/

[attagrl]

Thanks everyone for your candid responses. I'm hoping in the end I'll be able to continue with karate (I do ~3 classes a week) and then play it by ear with the running. Worst case, I either drop out of the race, transfer to the 5K, or walk the damn thing. There's always next year, I guess. :P

[joemc34606]

Ive been on triple therapy for 4 weeks now, ive made it to the gym about 4 days a week after working all day. Some days like yesterday you just cant but most days I make it and feel much better when I do. If I just lay around doing nothing I feel worse, you just have to get there thats the hard part. I do notice I have to rest longer between each excerise but thats not to bad at all. Good luck
Joe

[James10500]

When on Chemo best to worry about getting through it.  Do what you can but don't stress about what you can't.  I like flcyclist am a cyclist, I just didn't feel safe last fall on tx and riding .and the anemia made me a bike path guy, just did what I could.  

Good luck

[flcyclist]

There are several runners on this forum that have undergone trt that might pop in to comment.  I've seen many comment they've been able to maintain some exercise such as walking and going to the gym, but don't hear anyone talking about running.

As I began trt, I continued my cycling routine 3-4 days per week, longer 40-60 mile rides on the weekend, often with the faster group.   I began to feel the Riba at about week 3 and noticed an effect of my breathing and heart rate.  Where I was normally at 150 bpm, I was well over 165, where I know I can't maintain for long.  As the weeks progressed, keeping up with the fast group wasn't an option, but I'm still going 2x per week to try to maintain some fitness.  Spinning at a slower pace isn't a struggle and at least allows me some for of exercise I'd probably go more often, but the FL sun/heat/sweat tends to turn the itch into a rash, which can be a bugger to calm back down.  

Unless you are an avid runner and do the long distance frequently, this probably isn't the best time to be training for something you're not used to.  If you're able to continue and keep up the routine, great, but don't be surprised if you have to back off.  And don't beat yourself up over it, since its not your choice.  Just do what you can and listen to your body.

Best of luck to you as you begin.

[curiouslady1]

Why don't you ask your doctor?  There may be other reasons to be frugal about exercise for the next 12 weeks.  This is a Phase IIa study correct?  Part of the question the study wants to answer has to do with absorption, tolerance, safety.  They dont know much about these drugs yet.  

[zufa12k]

I think you should read up on the effect a very intense workout has on your immune system. I don’t pretend to be an expert but I’ve read short term effect is not all that good. You might find it is good, I read it wasn't great.

Everyone is different, I still exercise 3x a week, but my stamina (re lower HCB count) is not what it was. I still manage to do 45min of light weights, it takes me longer and is harder. I used to then do 40min on a tread mill and 30min on an elliptical. I now do 20 to 30 min. I monitor my heart rate, I had to cut down on my speed as my heart rate was getting to high to fast.

I am at week 7 of a quad treatment of two DAA and the standard SOC.
I suggest if you listen to your body you’ll do the right thing.

[belle19]

riba made me anemic in my 6th week.  my study nurse lowered my riba and i have more stamina.  i've been doing cardio classes 3x a week although i sometimes only last 45 mins instead of the full hour.  good luck with your tx and i hope your side are minimal.  stay in touch.  belle

[beeblessed]

It's been encouraging to see how many people are keeping up with some portion of their exercise routines, even 4-5 days per week (at least in the beginning).  Someone recently posted that they were able to run or walk 4-5 miles, which surprised me and is encouraging.  Still.....a half-marathon seems like it might be hard if you are fatigued.  Any chance you can start right after, instead of before??  Hope you get more comments from runners.  I am a couch potato.