exercise

hey everyone. i didn't think i would be asking another question so soon, but you all were so great in answering my last one, and all of you have and are going through this tx,   you know most people dont have the answers or understand how we feel.   but does anyone exercise through this because i have nooo energy at all and am always fatigued, i just have enough to get through work and belive me that is hard too. not complaining ,it is what it is, just curious if you guys have the energy to do any kind of exercising in your schedule. thanks again for your answers, have a good day.

[meakea]

Hi Donna:

I'm at week 27 of my treatment.  Prior to treatment I was an exercise nut of sorts.  I ran, walked, bicycled (up to 100 miles a day), canoed, etc. so I thought I would surely be able to continue to do some sort of exercise while on treatment.  NOT!  Since week 1, I have not been able to do anything other than do whatever it takes to complete a 40 hour work week (a desk job).  I still walk the 2 flights of steps to my office but it's a killer and I have to sit on the chair at the top of the steps to recover before I make the trip down the hall to my office.

Many times I read of people who continue to run, lift weights, etc. while on TX and I'm glad for them but treatment has not been that kind to me.

There was a few weeks in there that I tried to do my recumbent exercise bike and/or my eliptical machine but it made me too breathless so I figured that really cannot be good for me.  I try to do a 1 mile walk once in a while but that is only on a really good day.

Right now I'm sitting at my desk at work and it's an effort to sit up straight while typing on the keyboard.

[annieCinMD]

I will probably start to walk more now that the weather is breaking. I've been making myself take the steps up to my office on the 4th floor, even though I'm totally out of breath.  I've heard others say that exercise can help with the sides, so I think I'm going to try to do a little more at least while school is out. (Spring Break, yeahh!) I'm taking one course that really has a lot of homework, so it pretty much cut out my exercise time. I was pretty heavy into working out pre Tx. I'm like you, work and school are priorities, after that, getting enough sleep.  I was told by a friend who treated years ago to give myself a break, and not everything is going to get done.  I guess, do what you feel good enough to do.

[JTRiver]

I think that exercising is the most important proponent of tx. I wake up in the morning and run on the treadmill, on my lunch break from work I go run and then when I get home at night I run, lift weights or do Muay Thai. On the weekends I go and hike 6 to 9 miles and I still keep up a 6 day a week job 50 hours plus. I have been extremely lucky with tx and I am very blessed. However, I think that because of the schedule I keep and the way I eat is why I experience absolutely no sx. Granted I'm a G3, treating for six months, UND at 4 weeks and only 800mg of Riba so maybe that has something to do with it as well. Either way it was it has been proven time and time again that exercise improves stamina, helps with fatigue and can in some cases completely cure mild forms of depression in some people. My advice is to just walk around your neighborhood. Get outside, walk around in nature and take a loved one with you. Go out and try something new! You might feel like your dead right now but you're not I hope you feel better and best wishes!

[meakea]

I have to disagree with you about this a bit.  I am 54 years old and, before I started treatment 27 weeks ago, I could hold my own against women half my age and, in fact, do better than them.  I competed in a mini triathlon the year before I found out I have Hep C and I took first place in my age category but that place was good enough to beat out 75% of all the younger women too.  I eat as healthy as anyone could...you could say I'm a big health AND exercise nut and always have been.

However, the very next day after my first shot, I could barely get out of bed.  Every time I moved my heart raced and pounded and I had to lay down or fall down.  I have been able to hold onto my 40 hour/week desk job but the rest has been a struggle pretty much every single day.  I'm not complaining because I knew this might happen.

I didn't give up exercising because I wanted to...it's because the meds kicked my arse from day one.  If I could be exercising I definitely would...it's something I love to do and something I seriously miss doing.  

I'm very glad that you are able to continue to be a rock when it comes to exercise but that is because you have not been hit with the hard sides from day one like some people have.  Of course, your pre-treatment exercise and eating habits have helped you but that's not all there's to it, in my opinion.

I'm not even sure why I'm posting this but I guess I cringe a bit when I get the feeling that people who don't have many sides think that some of us are just being wimps and need to get off our arses and run everywhere.  It just doesn't happen like that for all of us.

When this TX is over, I will rehabilitate myself back to my old self but, for now, there is just no way.

[portann]

I know what you mean.

xoxo

[annieCinMD]

Hate to rain on an already wet parade, but my friend (the same one who told me to give myself a break) also told me getting back in the gym after Tx, may take some time. She said about 3 months, and even then, she took it very slow.  These drugs tend to stay in your system for some time after you stop taking them.  I'm with you, I really miss the gym, but there just isn't enough left to do it right now.  Only the individual can make the call on what is OK for them.  If it feels good, do it, if not, why bother.

[Trinity4]

"Granted I'm a G3, treating for six months, UND at 4 weeks and only 800mg of Riba so maybe that has something to do with it as well."  

800mg of Riba....Definitely has something to do with it.

27 years old.....Another factor in the equation.

Not everyone can push it as hard as you do JT despite our best efforts but I'm glad it's working for you.

Exercise has to be modified to the level each of us can tolerate on tx.  Gradually increasing that level if possible is a great goal, as long as it does not defeat the purpose.

56 years old, 51 wks of tx so far, 115 lbs and a 1000 mg of Riba a day.  You won't see me on any treadmills, running through the neighborhood or trekking through the countryside.  I couldn't breathe.  Walks, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, cleaning the pool and working everyday puts me at maximum capacity.  More than that would be incapacitating so we have to use good judgement and take all things into consideration when it comes to exercise and treatment.

[portann]

A certain percentage of people have few, if any side, effects. This includes people who exercise and people who don't.

Most patients do have side effects and a certain percentage have severe side effects.

Myself, I think that 'making up theories as I go along" is the most important proponent of tx.

[Isobella]

Gotta chime in on this as someone who has what would be considered light sx. Also as someone that thought they were txing for 24 weeks, but is going the full 48.

Before starting tx-and for my whole life, I have been very healthy and have always excercised.  I completed the River Run (9 miles) after being diagnosed.  I feel like I am a pretty healthy fit 46 year old.

I am in week 33/48.  I have managed to continue to go to school and work.  On the good days, I do excercise....walking or yoga. Most days it is all I can do just to get through the day, much less put in 3 miles around the block.  It usuallly makes me feel better to excercise and it never makes me feel worse.  But, sometimes my body just needs to rest.

Push-but don't push too hard.  If you excercise too much or too hard, your immune system can take a hit.  After getting this far....that is the last thing I want to happen, personally.  

You really have to listen to your body and take care of it.  Yes, I think our prior level of health makes somewhat of a difference.  But trust me....these meds are gonna hit somehow, someway.  

Not to say it's gonna be awful because I really have had an easier time than most here...but somedays you can "do it" and some days you just can't.

I'm rambling and will blame the meds.....but please just be kind to your bod while you are txing.  Listen well to it.....It will thank you later.  

[Kristina538]

OK ...  this has so many variables I'm just not going to let you fit and fantastic peeps make me feel like a couch potato lol!!!!

Prior to tx I had the energy to go to work and come home;  extra energy went into housework, walking the dog etc and occasionally going out.    During tx, and not working, I managed more walking and tried to keep the exercise up, but I was still doing it geriatric-style.   I didn't even get anemic and felt pretty knocked around.

Five years ago I was running but my push seemed to disappear into puff, and my energies were concentrated on what I had to do.  

It may have been that I was starting to sustain more liver damage.  Post tx 11 weeks I'm definitely feeling better than tx'g, my digestions has improved,  I wake up actually feeling refreshed some mornings (and that hasn't happened for years), but my energy levels are still spasmodic in the greater scheme of things.

I know that keeping moving to whatever level you can is good, especially during tx and I did my best, but it's just as important (especially when anemia sets in) to rest - your body is doing a lot of work.    

[JTRiver]

I should have known better than to even bother posting anything. My post was from MY experience with tx. I have a different experience because yes I'm young. If you have sx I'm not viewing anyone as weak however it seems that the more and more I'm on these boards the more I see that the people that do have sx get agitated or somewhat hateful towards me for not having any. At any point in my post did I tell Donna11 to do what I do? No. Did I tell her to push that hard? No. I simply said to go outside and walk with a loved one and she might feel better. READ BETWEEN THE LINES. I said that I THINK not KNOW that exercise is why it's not as hard on me also that I'm G3 I thought I made myself clear but apparently not. My doctor is also the one that told me that my exercise and diet is what's helping me along which is a professional opinion not something I'm just making up to make myself feel better. I'm making up theories as I go along? Incorrect. I've said this since I first started tx. What you people fail to understand is this is what works for ME. I didn't say it would work for YOU. I was making a simple suggestion so calm down. Donna11 I hope you feel better and wish you all the best.

[portann]

I enjoy hearing how well you're doing. Keep in mind that many, if not most, people who are young and fit have moderate or severe side effects.

Maybe you benefit from the small dose of ribavirin but who knows? As a 1A, I'm at such a disadvantage, even with the higher dose at half your weight. I bet I'd black diamond with less riba.

Believe me, there's not a soul here who "feels hateful towards you for not having side effects."  

I hope you continue to post about your experience.  Your journals make me impatient for the great outdoors.

I'm headed to the mountains in two weeks, and am pretty excited. Last year, I climbed to the top ahead of everyone else. This year, I'll have to be airlifted.

xoxo

[meakea]

Ditto what Portann just posted.  

Definitely keep posting all your outdoor/exercise adventures because it reminds me of what there is out there waiting for me after this is all over!!  Keep doing what you're doing.

[JTRiver]

I appreciate your responses I just want to everyone to know that I just wanted to help I didn't mean to offend and I am in no way bragging about feeling good I want no one to think that!! I was just stating that exercise has helped me and I hope it helps someone else. Everyone have a good day and I hope you guys all feel better that are hurting.

[annieCinMD]

Glad you came back.  I didn't take any offense to your post.  I might be a little jealous, though!

[Tippyclubb]

Don't stop posting JT.  There's so many negative side effects on here it will be good for someone to see not everyone has horrible sides.

[Sandbur]

I feel all of us are right, and all of us are wrong.  I was first Dx with HCV in 1990 and I think I took my 1st tx in 1994.  Although I can remember for a while when I look it up I can never retain it.  I am Gt 1a, with last Bx results of CHC, septal fibrsis (stage 3), mild (grade 2), trichrome stain abnormal showing bridging, fibrosis, & rare regenerative nodules.  I took my 2nd tx in 2008, and had a VL of 23K by week 11.  But on Dec 2nd of 2008 (week 21) my VL was 1 mil so I had to stop.  I was at 5.23 mil when I started the 2nd tx which I feel was elevated by Stress as I was forced to retire at 61 which means that I wouldn't get near as much money as I would have at 62.  I had ran out of options, then my mother was hospitized in March of 06 and when I seen her I called the P.O. and retired that day.  My father died in Jan. 08.  Prior to those events my VL was around 50K from 94 to 2005 at least, then sometime inbetween it went up to 5,230,000 and stayed there for 2 years at least.  Before I 1st had HCV I was like all you exercise junkies, in great shape.  But for me, I havn't been able to exercise at all, until just this year & I purchased a treadmill.  I have been walking on it for a couple of weeks now, starting at 15 min. & I'm up to 20 min as yesterday.  This is the first time I have been able to exercise since my 1st tx in 94.  My family thinks I lie about how I feel, but I don't know how I feel, as it's different each day.  So if a person can exercise, I feel it would be good for them as my body has became a muscle free zone.  I also feel the medical society has no ideal what to do with us, as every Doctor has told me something different.  When I 1st told the VA (I got HCV in Vietnam) I had brain Fog, in a claim, they made fun of me in an offical reply.  At one time around 70% of all HCV here in the US were Vietnam Vets, which was on a VA health website.  I'm rambling!  The answer is, there is no answer.  As ever one of us is different, and I once read the reason it's so difficult to cure is that it mutates in each of us.  I wish everone of us could be cured and have no side effects.  But it comes back to what I said before.  Each one of us is different & there is no answer.

[Sandbur]

I forgot to say my Mother was 89, just 2 months short of 90, and my father was 91 also 2 months short of 92, and every doctor tells me that my age is most of my problem.  Even though neither of my parents had any of the health problems I do when they were my age.  Doctors?  Wake up please!

[Isobella]

~~geriatric-style.  

Bingo!   That's a great way to describe my new fitness regime, lol!!