Exercise during treatment

[PJ1966]

Has anyone had any problems continuing their exercise program during the treatment?

[bil275]

had to cut down on all actiities because of the extreme fatigue ,dizziness and unable to concentrate. used to do martial arts 3 times a week. but started some deep breathing exercise, meditation and some simple tai chi. that helped.

Still I have put on 5 kg post treatment.

[frijole]

I had to shut down most of my activity treating.  There was only so much energy/oxygen to go around.  I work so I made it through the day (desk job) but couldn't do any more.  I quit going to Curves during lunch and quit walking before work.  The only thing I continued was a weekly Tai Chi class and there were times I had to go sit by the wall because I thought I would keel over during class.

I am happy to say that 3 weeks post treatment I am again walking in the mornings.  Baby steps at first but now 2-3 miles 3x a week.  As ceanathus said, it is difficult enough to get through the treatment.  If you can excercise, fine, but don't push it.

frijole

[1fish2fish]

The tx has had no negative impact in my life in any way. Just a few mouth sores once and a while.  

[working dog]

i did triple tx and was in bed about 22 hours a day...before tx i thought i would be working 4 days of construction a week and exercising most days....no way....with hgb in the 8s most of tx and a rash that was borderline from stopping tx i was out of it...you might not have bad symptoms...you won't know until your in tx...good luck....billy

[belle19]

i did 48 weeks of tx and i still did cardio at the gym for 3x/weekly.  i just couldn't do high impact.  i'm glad i hung in there because i didn't lose too much muscle.  and it made me feel better than doing nothing.  good luck to you.  belle

[BoceprevirGal]

  I was unable to exercise once I became anemic, when my HGB dropped below 10, then I was just too weak, dizzy and uncoordinated, to continue riding my bike, but I continued to take my dog on two walks a day, and still did all the house-hold chores.
   I gained about 10 pounds on my Tx, from the combo
of less exercise, and having to eat food with the pills, 3 times a day. I was eating yogurt with my meds, at odd times, such as 10:30 pm, and 6:30 am (when I popped the pills), and I would never normally eat late (and early) like that.
  At anyrate, my Ribaviran was reduced, 19 weeks into Tx, and so at 22 weeks, I began riding my bike again, and I am now quickly getting back into shape~

[PJ1966]

Thank you all for your comments.  I mostly exercise so I can eat some treats but it's less for vanity and more for health.  If I can't keep it up, then it won't be a big deal.  Hope I can do some.  Maybe it will help me feel better.

[FaithforHealing]

OMG, I've been a real weenie.....some days I can't take the garbage out. I can't imagine what being chair bound has done to my muscles! All I know is that my butt feels really flat from sitting, lol. Anemia was my culprit I think, but who knows, everyone is different.
I do know that trying to keep some movement up does help a lot.

[Woodpeker]

Before tx was going to gym 4 days a week, now I'm lucky to get 2 days in and workout intensity is about 75%-80% of pre tx workouts on weights and cardio . And that really kicks my you know what. But I still push myself to go any way.

[yodennis]

I worked out throughout the entire 48 with triple tx. with the Incivek duration being nearly impossible at times because of the anemia....but when it comes to vanity! Admittedly I'm talking about weight training  and walking rather than aerobics of any kind. Of note: I had no problem at all working out post Incivek while just on the Interferon/Ribo. I have cirrhosis. And clearly I was less anabolic on therapy, i.e., less capable of building muscle, especially on the Incivek. I am more anabolic since completing tx. last month....Just do what you can since you can't do what you can't do anyway: right? My best. d

[ceanothus]

You just can't worry about your weight while on tx – it's usually all one can do to just manage to get in all the meds on time, along with the food required along with them, plus the gallon of water per day. That schedule can be pretty overwhelming and then there are the side effects too! I think its way too much to try to worry about your weight at the same time. For what it's worth, most forum members gained some weight on Incivek (from the fat) and theny lost some weight on ribavirin and interferon (from drug-induced anorexia). Individuals all respond differently, but I think I might fall around the average point. At the end of the entire 12 weeks of Incivek my weight was  up 4 pounds. Over the next 28 weeks of tx with interferon/ribavirin I lost 25 pounds before the weight finally stabilized there. I have 5 weeks left to go and I have a net loss of 21 pounds compared to pre-tx. Results may vary but keep the focus on fighting the dragon. Welcome to the forum!

[PJ1966]

Thank you for your response.  I will try.  Currently doing 45 min on my elliptical so it sounds like I'll need to cut back accordingly.  I'll try what I can but not to the point of exhaustion.
Won't help the weight!
thank you.

[orphanedhawk]

As the main side effect of treatment is extreme fatigue the answer is yes, of course. That doesn't mean you stop and do nothing. Movement is important for the health of all of our body including our internal organs.
On the other hand, during tx, you're fighting off this virus and your body also needs rest.
Be sure to do what you can while on tx, and try to exercise every day when it's possible.

[marivirginia]

yes I have had trouble and have cut way back..