Working out during triple tx w/VIC

[beeblessed]

Hi cyber people,

As determined as I am to get through this, I am struggling on a lot of levels right now.  Some tx related, some not.  I think my biggest issue right now is......energy.  I am exhausted but not weak. I CAN still make it up the stairs.   I CAN usually still go to work. The nausea is better, depending on the day and how well I keep up with the eating/Zofran regimen.  I only started working out mid to late January.  Usually 3 days during the week. It has helped with my flexibility, mental health and until last week......it did help my energy.  Now, however, it is no longer energizing and I am struggling with my breath at times.  Although I am healing from tendonitis flare ups -- it has been a slow journey and limits what I can do.

QUESTION......would you advise me to:
1.  Change one of the days to the weekend
2.  Cut back to only 2 days per week
3.  Cut back from 1 hour to 45 or 30 minutes
4.  No cardio

At this point.....I don't want to stop altogether, if I can manage, because 1-- my core has gotten stronger; 2 -- I have already paid.  Tighter abs and Llama lashes.....look out!!

Best wishes & Blessings,
Bee
(Week 26 of 28 begins on Friday)

[belle19]

i go to cardio classes 3x/weekly.  it's been trying at times.  i've switched to low impact now.  when everyone is doing some fast paced stepping, i get down and do crunches.  i've gotten tired after 45 mins. so i'll quit.  i try to conserve my energy so i have some left for the rest of the day.  you're doing great.  keep it up.  it's good for you.  take a nap when you feel like it.  take care.  belle

[crigger]

Yes… I do p90x everyday.      

[libzo2]

I get a lot of exercise looking for glasses, hats, canes or cats.  I have to sit on a pillow because I have no assss.  Each hair that falls from my head has reappeared in a unwanted location.  I feel old.  Beats the alternative.  haha

[AKHepper]

I went for a 10 minute bike ride the other day and was completely wiped out the next day.

[Bali05]

what I called exercising before tx became physical therapy on tx.
I kept doing daily routines of some sort for my 60wk tx and I am glad I did.
I found intensity is not as important as doing a little bit every day.
Stretching , walking , some light weight resistance, gym ball exercises
where there is a will .... when too exhausted I just did less repititions
and longer periods of rest
Also I always used a pulse watch and kept my heart rate in a comfortable
zone so you don`t risk causing trouble with low HgB and all......
They always say listen to your body but on tx that is kind of a joke...
Knowing your body`s response to exercise before tx is of big help.


b

[rockymoe]

I haven't exercised since I started tx. I am embarraswd to say I have to get in my car and drive 350 feet to get the paper and the mail. I have asthma and when the anemia hits hard it makes it even harder to breath. Now I have a chest cold so I am done for. Like I said they should build us a Heppy hotel where we can go and not have to deal with life but...in the real world we just have to keep plugging along.

[frijole]

You all are amazing me.I feel like I am losing muscle and can't do anything about it.  I gave up walking and have not been to Curves for a couple of months - maybe more.  The only thing I have kept is the Tai Chi -- and if I miss that, I will get too far behind.  But when I get home from that class I have to nap.  

I am a strong beliver in the power of excercise, but how are you all doing it?  I know most of you in this thread have been dealing with hemoglobin below 10.  Mine has been under 10 for 13 out of the last 17 weeks and I am just wiped out.  When (if) I can get it up to 10 I will start excercising again.

Bee, I think it was wise to take a week off.  Soon - oh so soon - you will be able to devote ,pre energy to this.

bean

[ninjamonkey]

Someone mentioned gaining weight on vic, really? I was thinking I would lose or stay the same not gain..now I'm freaked! I'm a big girl I don't need to gain lord help us all LOL! Oh and do you think swimming or stretches is the best thing for someone who normally just works 8-9 hrs a day and helps with house work, should i start that now to get ahead of the game. I know I probably already should have but since i didn't should i start now...sorry for jumping in on your thread

[ninjamonkey]

Someone mentioned gaining weight on vic, really? I was thinking I would lose or stay the same not gain..now I'm freaked! I'm a big girl I don't need to gain lord help us all LOL! Oh and do you think swimming or stretches is the best thing for someone who normally just works 8-9 hrs a day and helps with house work, should i start that now to get ahead of the game. I know I probably already should have but since i didn't should i start now...sorry for jumping in on your thread

[tiredturkey19564]

Hi, I also do 4 hours of Zumba a week plus a few more classes. Carrying my toning sticks or pilate mat into the gym I feel so tired. But once I start doing the class I feel so much better! I also use the shopping cart to walk and carry my purse.

I'm on vic and tomorrow is shot 35 of 36. My HGB has been staying in the low 9's. 2 weeks ago it rose to 10.2 without any helper drugs.Wer'e almost done!!!! Can't wait to get my energy back!!

[80mecheng]

I have worked out all my life but around the same time I was diagnosed with Hep C I was having extreme fatigue so I dialed it back.  After starting treatment I became progressively weaker and basically had to stop.  My hemoglobin dropped to 9.2 when Procrit was added.  Bottom line is I have no really helpful suggestions except try to walk or something light, the treatment and missed workouts can be made up in the coming months.  I am in week 23 of 28 and looking fwd to getting back to the gym.

[brianmo]

Great, your almost done!! before long, this will all be behind you. Ah, yes, what to do, what not to do. Someone gave me advice some months back over this question and he said, "Do what you can". That made sense to me. I came into tx a marathoner and triathlete but did not expect to keep the pace. I was surprised at when my HGB dropped, motivation disappeared also. I stuck with Pilates 2x week, and because I have two wonderful dogs who need walking, I do long walks with them, when I can!. Since they have reduced my Riba a month ago I am now back at the pool. So, I am doing what I can.  Sure am looking forward to going for a run someday!!       Mo

[Aquisi]

Hey bee, I give you lots credit for even being able to work out on Vic. I'm on my sofa most of the time and if I do go out to the store or something I start to get nauseous. I'm on Vic also, Tuesday a shot of neupogen, bones ach the following day, then comes procit, can hardly get up off the sofa. Friday peginterferon, my worst day, by Sunday I'm starting to get some energy. I'm on week 8, so soon I'll be getting an PCR, no matter the results, I'm sticking it out to week 12 which is the all important VL. I'm prepared to go all the way (48) if at all possible, although at times I feel like quitting.

Regards
Charlie
PS On your question, I'd go with answer number 2.

[beeblessed]

Hi again,

Thank you so much for your help.  I struggled with this decision until the very last minute, because I can't concentrate very well these days.  After talking things over with my trainer, I decided to take one week off.  Then when I start the following week, I will do 2 days during the week and Saturdays.  My elbows are extremely painful, so I gotta be smarter about this.  Did shot #26 last night, so 2 more injections and 3 more weeks of pills to go.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.  It truly helps me.  But Rocky... I gotta say.......Zumba?!  I'm scared-uh you!!  I tried that pre-tx, for all of 8 minutes before I walked out because I could barely breathe, it was sooo aerobic!  LOL!

[flcyclist]

Hey Bee,  Congrats to you for continuing the exercise while on Vic, since many are struggling with anemia near the end of trt.  With only a few more weeks left you appear to be doing great, so keep up the great work.  I'd encourage you to keep doing what you feel up to, backing off on either time or days per week, whatever you feel for each given week.  Just keep it going at a level you feel comfortable with since it brings such positive benefits.  

I'm on SOC so I can't relate to the addition of VIC, but I try to get out for a bike ride at least twice per week.  The biggest challenge is getting motivated to do it.  Once on the bike and spinning, I always feel good, but try to not push to the level where it is difficult to breath.  Early morning is my period of greatest energy, so my bike rides after work haven't happened in many months.  I look forward to getting some energy back after trt.  

Congrats on being so close to EOT.  Best wishes to you.

[rockymoe]

Before I started treatment I was doing Zumba 4 times a week, I tols the social worker I'm going keep doing Zumba. I have to use a cart as a walker to grocery shop. LOL

[beeblessed]

Thanks everyone!  Keep that advice coming.  Don't have the mental energy to respond individually right now but please know that I read each of these.

Made it through a modified workout last night but still super tired.  The endorphines are not cooperating.   Because of pre-tx, head to toe joint pain, arthritis issues and Vertigo.....I decided to try a personal trainer this time, letting him know of my multiple limitations, including tx side effects.  It has been a challenge for both of us, so we're focused on what I know I CAN do.  Can't do Yoga but can do traditional type stretching.

I greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice.  I don't want to over do it but I want to do enough because it got to the point where I could not fit any of my clothes :-(  I was quickly outgrowing my 'fat' pants.
Bee

[orphanedhawk]

Although I'm not on triple tx, like others mentioned, it can be hard to force yourself to get moving.
Often I feel like taking a nap yet once I'm out the door and walking down the street I perk up.
Listen to your body. If you can't take long walks, take several short ones.
Keep drinking lots of water.

When I became short of breath and started coughing for no obvious reason, my NP instantly said, "its the riba"
They reduced my dosage and within a couple of weeks I could walk up hills again without feeling like I was 105.

Here's what I learned last time I did tx, it does not get easier as it goes along. It is not odd that you keep feeling more tired. You've been putting strong medicine into your body, week after week.

Like Karen said, yoga is great. Any kind of slow easy stretches will help your tendons.

You're doing great~ really you are.
OH

[indy531]

I am in wk 23/28 and hubby bought me some cute Nike walking trainers, so 1x a day I try to walk; I need to regain some stamina, even w/hgb @ 9.6. Pace yourself!!!

[crossroadsec]

SOO glad to see this post today. Im so tired that I've skipped yoga all week. I have to have whey protein or yogurt or I end up in bed. I do walk a lot. Not a fast pace, but enuff for cardio.  I walk about 10 miles a week. I'm slowing it down til after Dopplar because of varices.
Im really proud of you all for pushing for any workout you can tolerate. I also believe a strong core is a key to strength now and after treatment. I also think it takes a load off of the joints to have core and muscle strength. I ache so back some days. Yoga always helps if I force myself. Many times I didn't wanna get up and thought of my fellow treaters on here who are trying to keep it up.
Like you've all reminded each other - take it slow - do what you can - and don't stop trying.
Karen :)

[JasmineT]

Hi bee, can't tell you whats right for you, I am just impressed you can do cardio on tx!  I could not handle that.  Walking, yoga, and some light weights were tolerable depending on the day so I just did what I could when I could.  Best wishes.

[skiyaltr]

Take it slow and don't over do.  I am a runner and had signed up for a half marathon before I decided to started the treatment; I was 2 weeks into tx and made it to mile 6; barely.  I am now just walking or biking - very easy.  Have been doing weights a couple of days a week; very light.  Stretching, swimming, anything to keep the muscles moving.

We live on a tournament water ski lake that has gone dry twice over the past 3 years.  The lake is full now and everyone is getting excited about the ski season.  I maybe on the inner tube

You only have a couple of more weeks to go, then the poison will be on its way out.

[sandysf]

Bless you for being able to work out at all!  I laid on the couch the whole time.  Good for you.  

[Advocate1955]

I think the best thing to do is to build back very slowly.  Not only do you have to recondition you muscles, but you also have to build back up your counts.  Since you're working, I would suggest change on exercise day to the weekend, cut back to 30 minutes and then gradually build up to 45 minutes or an hour again.  You should probably ask your doctor or a trainer about the cardio.  Your body has been through a tough time.  Don't push too fast.  Give yourself a month or two.
Advocate1955