Anyone have an excercise plan that works for CFS?

[em722]

Prior to CFS, I worked in a hi-rise. On my breaks I would run from the 25th floor, (where I worked), down to the first, then back up 15 flights. Then CFS came into my life and I find that even if I start with 10 seconds at a time of walking and build up, I never feel like I am rebuilding stamina. It is such an effort, (not exhilerating like it used to be),  and I'm always at risk for pushing too far, resulting in a crash.
Anyone have a successful approach to exercise with CFS? Thanks.
Em

[DeeDeeQ]

For me, exercise was a goal but just not viable as the tiredness was often too much. Ive gone back to source and am trying to get better quality sleep to remedy this  rather than more sleep. Ive invested in a cheap memory foam mattress and some cheap memory foam pillows just to give me some more routine and rest. Its too early to tell if its changed but ill let you guys know in due course

[DDKing10]

Not to hijack this thread, but how did you convince your doctor to prescribe valcyte when most of them are scared to write prescription for it.

I run two miles a day every other day, VERY SLOWLY.  No pain, no gain rule does not apply here. No Pain, All Gain is the philosophy to go by.  

[JuliaHugoRachel]

I swam and rode horses competitively. I have been down for years at a time, then back up. I just completed Valcyte treatment and am on long term anti-virals. Energy is coming back, just started swimming again, light hiking and should be back to work and full exercise mode soon. I am not sure a PT routine is possible without a treatment protocol that works for you. One doc explained to me that with CFS, a patient has only "so much" energy reserves and if those reserves are dipped into, there will be nothing to draw on, possibly forever.I think the message; was to build up the reserves, take it slow and as you start healing, start exercising. Our bodies tell us what we can and what we cannot do. Unfortuneately, we do not have a ton of treatment options.
Blessings, Julia   VLG on Valcyte Blog

[em722]

Thank you for the book recommendation.( I have a lot of time to read now that I have a broken foot.)Thank you for the reminder to slow down. You'd think CFS would do that automatically, but a lot of us seem to have this built in drive to push, push, push. When I do get some energy, I'm right on it, spending it like it's the first money I've had in years.
Did you have to' work up' to doing light Yoga? For the first few years, I was too weak to do Yoga, then over time I became too deconditioned.
Maybe it would be better to ask  advice on regaining condition, starting form zero. I think I'm still looking for that perfect exercise cd, custom made to CFS. There would have to be 24 hour breaks between sessions.....might not work in CD form. Plus we all different intensities of this illness,. One size would not fit all
Again, thanks for writing jaspur.
Em.

[em722]

Hi!  Thank you so much for responding!  I didn't mention in my post that I have had CFS since 1993,  At one time, I bought a stretch cd made by a senior dancer, but I got lightheaded, especially when a stretch involved lowering and raising my head. I thought if I could memorize the moves I could do them at my own pace, but with brain fog I couldn't retain them and when I tried to draw, well, that just didn't work. I think I just gave up. I agree, though, that it makes sense to do stretches in some fashion to at least maintain some flexibility.I did manage to memorize a couple, but with my driven self still operating, it bothered me that I wasn't doing a complete stretch workout.

For now the  point is moot, because I broke my foot last week!
Again, thanks for writing acker. I know how much effort it requires, especialy if you, too have CFS.
Em

[jaspur77]

I would do some light yoga.  Cfids is a strange illness if you overexert yourself you will pay for it tensfold. You will learn that quick.  You will have to learn to slow down.  That is very hard!  I know I've been through it.  You go through different phases when you re ill.  Try reading the book The Alchemy of illness it helped me understand alot.

[acker]

gradually! i know, so tempting to push it especially when you feel fine.. but you'll end up two steps back and discouraged and exhausted again..
i used to maintain flexibilty, with gentle stretching session.
as has always been with living-with-cfs: go cautiously!