Exercising during a Flair?

[Guitar_grrrl]

Is it dangerous to ride my bike on the flats during a flair?  I find it easier to ride than walk, stand, or do Yoga right now.  I went ahead and rode yesterday, and felt no more exhausted or weak than usual.  Climbing the stairs in my house feels like riding my bike 20 miles (my usual flat ride).  Basically I'm whipped no matter what I do, even riding my bike - tried dancing at the Halloween party last night...forget it!  I sat for the rest of the night.  I just make myself ride and do Yoga because I have a "use it or lose it" mentality, and want to keep the muscles that are still working, well, working.    Is that dangerous?

Anyway, the only reason I say "during a flair" in the present tense, is because I saw my Neuro Friday, and he said my flair was still active with his neuro exam findings.  I also revealed I hadn't had an orgasm since June, and he said "Oooh, that's bad, for two obvious reasons.  One, you want that pleasure, but two, your spinal lesions, even though we can't see them on the MRI are responsible for this.  I want to repeat your MRI and/or LP soon".  I really don't want to go through another LP.  He switched me from Valium to Baclofen for my spasms, which have been strong and numerous (leaping out of bed 4 - 7 times a night).  So far, so good.

After Quix's post on MRI software, I'm wondering what kind of software the 3T machine I've been going to has, and if Stanford has a 7T machine, yet?

Taking it relatively easy, today...
Guitar_grrrl

[jensequitur]

Yup, moderation.  I work out even when I'm feeling bad, and don't feel any worse than before, but on those days when I'm unsteady, I don't work out very hard!

[Udkas]

Exercise will usually only temporarily worsen your symptoms and if you are in a flair it is still okay to exercise but don't try and do a new routine that is going to wipe you out more, moderation is the key and listen to your body, exercise improves circulation, tone, gives off good endorphins and has many benefits, but listen to your body and adjust your exercise to suit how you are feeling, don't over do it! If you end up tired, exhausted etc. you might make things worse.

This was advice given to me by two different neurologists.
I am sorry that you are in a flair at the moment, I hope you feel better soon, I can relate to the stairs at the moment.
Udkas.

[opie74]

I tend to exercise as long as I can when in Relapse mode.  I know that I have to stop when i get no sembolance of a runners high, and I feel worse after exercise than before.  Once the exercise is over, and I have no elevation in moode, and I don't recover within two hours, I lay off the treadmil and just do some ground streaching and such.

[Guitar_grrrl]

No, no meds.  I started my Rebif and Valium in July, and there was basically no change in sensation, there.  There IS NO sensation there!

I switched to Baclofen 2 days ago, and at least I'm not so lethargic as I was on Valium.

Thanks, though!
Guitar_grrrl

[HVAC]

I have read in MS publications and been told exercise is good as long as you can do it safely.

I stop riding my bike when my balance is off. In my case I see what I can do at any given time. I think the rule is how quickly you bounce back. If you can bounce back with a few hours rest you are ok. If not you are over doing it. I walked five miles Friday and hurt but was ok the next day.

I find my muscles get stiff and spasm  more with in activity. Stretching is very important to me before and after.

I know spinal lesions can cause that but I had a medication keep me from pleasure. I went years til somebody mentioned it was a side effect of the medication. Have you been on a medication since June that could be a culprit?

Alex