Too much exercise ?

[jamimapuddle]

I just started treatment, at four weeks into it my WBC is 2.3 (down from 5.8 at start), my HCT is 34.4, and my RBC is 3.73. Besides the hep c I am a health conscious 31 year old who loves to exercise. My question is...could the exercise be having an adverse effect on my blood counts? Before treatment I did one hour cardio (sometimes more)  5 days a week. Now I do one hour cardio 4 days a week. Besides the day after I do my shot I feel great, barely any sides, and there has been no reduction in appetite, I eat great.

[copyman]

the only thing i can see wrong with you is your mind is not right. get on anti d's FAST. you can not be right to make a name like that!  after this name is deleted and if you come back, make a new name without the profanity. you can get a lot of good help here.

[alagirl]

I think exercising actually helps with some of the sides so as long as you can physically tolerate it, its great.  I had to stop when my blood count got too low because I'm pretty much horizontal and barfing at the moment.  Sad to say.  BUT.  My low blood count and yours is very probably hemolysis due to the ribavirin.  Procrit can help if your blood count goes to low and drugs like neulasta can help if your white cell gets too low.  Your white cell count is depressed to the same level (actually a little higher) than mine right now, and I haven't started neulasta yet.

Some people suggest that its good to try to do without neulasta if you can but I am not certain why.  Is this due to sx folks?  Procrit does cause sx at first but they go away after the first few weeks.  You didn't mention your hgb?  Hard to say if you are quite at procrit level yet.  Ask your doctor.

As copyman mentioned, many of us are on antidepressants.  For whatever reasons, the interferon has a huge effect on the psyche.  Its a personal decision though.  Personally, I take two different a.d.'s LOL

[copyman]

just in case anyone is wondering about my response,  it was made before MH removed the "F" word from the end of jamim's name.

[tedinoregon]

I am 39 yo male and I just started 4th week of TX, did my 4th Pegasys shot yesterday.  Flu like symptons as usual, but feeling better as time passes.  I may go do some cardio a little later (45 mins on stationary bike w/ HR of 126-132).  I had blood work done last week and doctor said he would call if there was anything of concern.  I have not heard from him so I assume all is OK.

I have continued working out 4-5x/wk, 2 of which is lifting for 30-40 mins w/ 20-30 mins of cardio.  I benched 295 yesterday for 4 reps so it hasn't hit my strength yet.  The rest is 45 mins of cardio when I can.  I have been feeling good, relatively speaking.  I can feel the SXs of the Riba (brain foggy, hard to concentrate) but it hasn't kept me down.  However, I would imagine over the course of 24 wks (Geno 2) I will have to take it easy at some point.

Just be prepared and listen to your body.  I would imagine the saying "no pain no gain" with respect to exercise doesn't apply to persons taking interferon and riba.  I'm sure HCV TX would knock the majority of top atheletes in the world on their butts.  

[JodyLynn]

WOW you can exercise on these treatments......kool. I'm lucky to even walk to the shower lol.

[merryBe]

yah, on a good day, I actally might even get IN the shower!!!!
big difference at double the age, and/or if already dimished capacity.

to answer the questioner, some excersise helps sme people. you have to balance it against whether it taxes or benefits the systems you are trying to heal. Obviously some amount may help boost immune response and aide rest. However be careful how to overdo as this then ALSO puts stress on the body. An hour hard workout may take more out of you than it puts back and anarobic type workouts definite tax the systems.  20 minutes 3 times a week is considered pleanty for cardiovacular health so putting out huge exertion doesn't mean your heart and body will neccessaruly fight this virus any better, or avoid depression etc.

I knida look at it like...ok...you get sick...your body keeps telling you, lay down and rest....problem is, do we listen....maybe...just maybe the signals are there to help us heal, could we just get past our preconceptions and our age defying imagries.........just a thought...

[alagirl]

At any rate, you and I are at about the same place in tx, so keep checking in, let us know how it goes.  Misery loves company ;)

[frijole]

Never in my wildest dreams have I excercised as much as you. However, I did have an energy boost day after the shot for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.  I was amazed -- had planned my shots for Friday night to recover on Saturday and, instead, was able to go go go.  After about the first 12 weeks I no longer experienced that.  I walked 3 miles 4 days a week thru about week 24 and I think it helped the side effects and general feelings.  After that, I started getting too tired.  I think your body will tell you when you need to slow down.  

YOu are doing very well to excercise as long as you can.
frijole

[hondapatches]

That's good that you exersice. Before I strarted this tx I used to exersice every other day. Cardio,
300 crunches and weights. I been thinking about getting back to the gym a little, but right now ahahaha I have a hard time walking up and down the stairs. I really have to force myself every night to jump in the bathtub. I have to.lolol I am a first grade teacher and man I get a work out every day. I come home and fall in the bed. But if you can do it Hey You Go Girl.
Live, Love, Laugh
HondaPatches