Aerobic exercise

[meggy1972]

I am a runner. When I don't run I get depressed. I have not had the energy to run in months and now I hurt, first it was my ankles, then my knees, now it hurts in my hips. I really hope someone out there can tell me they eventually returned to running or aerobic activities. I'm one month into treatment with no improvements, only more symptoms and a heap load of depression. :(

[mojogal]

I am not a runner but in the good old days, I use to teach aerobics and now can hardly walk, it is getting better. My outlet now is swimming, it still is a form of aerobics and until you do feel well enough to run, this may work?
Worth a try if you have one in your area.

[youvegottobekidding]

When I was in the Lyme clinic in German there was a woman who had been a sports instructor, who apparently used to win races often. She was in a wheelchair because her leg joints were practically disintegrating.
She was walking after a month of IV treatment.
The doc said she would definitely make a total recovery, so don't lose heart! The important thing is not to strain your joints be being too impatient to get back into action.
You could also try taking n-acetyl glucosamine supplements. (I am taking Jarrow brand and it is fab.) I had bad knees from bartonella which made very loud squenching noises with every step and felt as if they were about to buckle under me, but they are fine now -even though my bart is NOT under control  :-(  
Read up a bit on glucosamine - it's a vital nutrient for joint repair.

[JackieCalifornia]

Here's a motivator for you:  Lyme messes with your joints, often knees, sometimes hips, ankles etc.  Swelling, arthritis-like symptoms.  You don't want to do permanent damage to your joints, I'm sure, so take it easy on the running and yoga or swim or something else that is gentle on the joints till you're up and ... running again!

[Ricobord]

I can totally relate! I am such a Type A person that not being able to do what I want causes stress.

I went downhill faster in the 4 months prior to diagnosis than I have in the 4 months since treatment started.  It does take awhile.  Some people get worse the first month, some see no change until the 2nd or 3rd month, and others feel better.  For me, some of my symptoms got better and some got worse.  Overall at this point, everything is better. I have learned to meter my own expectations to avoid getting depressed when I don't fell as well as I want to.

My biggest frustration has been not being able to predict how functional I will be or how I will feel.  Makes it very hard to plan anything.  At least I am getting out more these days.

Can you try yoga to get your endorphin fix instead of running?  You definitely don't want to do something that causes pain.

Hang in there!

[mojogal]

I agree with mkh9. It could be Lyme. Those were my very first symptoms years ago and I was misdiagnosed. The medication, I have been told by many medical Lyme professionals that you get worse before getting better especially when you first start your treatment or if you start a new medicine. So it may be that in reality, something is working. Good luck.

[mkh9]

Hi and so sorry you are not well. Do you know what you diagnosis is? I was thinking it sounds like you have rheumatoid arthritis or Lyme. Have they tested you for either. Does it hurt to go walking? At least walking helps you get outside and feel better? What treatment are you on? Perhaps the meds are causing the pain?
mkh9