posted
I guess I am getting ahead of myself. Have my first appt with LLMD next week. Seems way to far away. I am feeling worse and worse. Nausea, dizziness, numbness, fatigue, and all those cognitive issues. New sympt. seem to appear all the time.
Can you get back to working out after this? I used to run and bike, now if I even walk or do pilates I am even worse afterwards. I used to use exercise to boost my mood. Now I don't have that option.
I have not arthritis symptoms, but utter fatigue follows any exercise, late night, glass of wine, or long day. Can you work back up to working out again? How long does it take?
One step at a time, I know but I need to look forward to something.
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
I was never sick enough that I haven't been able to work. I do have the occasional day or two where my symptoms make it hard to function but my "good" days outnumber those bad days. I guess I'm lucky in that area.
I do understand the fatigue though as that is/was my worst symptom. B12 shots have greatly helped me in that area.
My MIL did have to take medical leave from work though. She was out for most of the school year I believe and it was because of her lyme. She is a teacher.
Actually, without her I don't think I ever would have been officially diagnosed with lyme as she told me what little I knew about the disease and that I needed to see an LLMD.
Anyway, she is doing quite well these days and has recovered just about 100%. She had arthritis symptoms something awful and her neuro symptoms were really bad. One doc....before seeing the LLMD...claimed she had early onset dementia. All of these symptoms have reversed and seeing how much she has improved gives me hope that I will be back to my old self. Her symptoms were much worse than mine but she is also 30 years older than me with other health conditions so I assume that plays a part too.
One week isn't too far away and your appt will be here soon. Hang in there!
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I'm not a success story...yet, but I'm confident I will be I was a runner pre-lyme, and one of the worst things emotionally for me with being ill is not being able to run so I completely get your question!
I'm only 2 months into my abx tx, so I have a ways to go. I take a lot of supplements, and I've found several that help with the fatigue and weakness. 4 months ago I couldn't even push myself to walk 1/2 mile. My body felt like I'd just run 1/2 marathon after walking.
I couldn't function through the day without a nap, only people here on LN understand that it was a need, not a luxury Now I've worked my way up to walking 2miles every other day and I have resistance bands that I do very light training.
Dr. B's guidelines state on pg 31: "Despite antibiotic treatments, patients will NOT return to normal unless they exercise, so therefore an aggressive rehab program is absolutely necessary."
So the right exercise will help us get ourselves well and is necessary according to him. Just avoid aerobic exercise (running, biking) as it hinders your recovery.
I'm not running again yet, but with the progress I've made in the last few months, I'm confident I will and so will you! It might not be for another year or more but we'll do it! I've been reminded here a few times, slow and steady wins the race.
Take it one day at a time, it gets worse before it gets better but we'll get there!
Also, as much as a miss a glass of wine, alcohol is very destructive to your body's recovery process. Avoid it until your done with tx, and you'll help your body fight off the infections quicker.
-------------------- No tick bite/rash sick Nov '09 diagnosed Mar '11 Doxy/Zithro LOTS of supplements
Psalm 62:5b He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender, I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! Posts: 127 | From Illinois | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
When is a good time to start exercise. I have a PT group who will help me get back on track, but since I haven't started tx yet, and I know I am jumping the gun, should I talk to them about working out? I should probably wait until after my appt next week with LLMD, but I just need to move forward instead of stagnating.
I feel the same. 1.5 miles of walking and I am cooked. I can do it its later that it hits me.
Thanks for understanding. I am happy that you have such a positive outlook and am certain you will get there too if you keep thinking that way!
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Cut your expectations down to size. Perform exercises that you can do, rather than trying to force your body to do those which make you sick. Instead of going 2 miles try 1. If 1 is too much, try 1/2, if that's too much try 1/4th, if walking period is too hard, try doing a bicyle. If that's too hard at any point, then you're pretty sick and need to go to the basics of just staying home and stretching and doing some light weight training. The key is to keep your body from degenerating and becoming stagnant.
Blood must keep flowing at a faster rate at some point in the day, and your lymph system, which is crucial for immune function must be moving too (as a result of stretching or other muscle movements).
Do what you can not what you want. Do what is going to get you healthy, not what is going to meet "your" expectations.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
Yes, you can get better. I was disabled by this disease. I exercised throughout. When I was bedridden, I needed help getting to the gym, and just getting from the car up the stairs to the weight room was often all I could handle, but some days I could lift some light weights.
Light pilates (not a heavy pilates workout) is perfect for a Lyme patient because it includes stretching and moderate strength training.
I think exercise is critical to getting well. Again, within your means. It's okay if it makes you a little tired later, but according to Dr. B's guidelines, no cardio and only every other day as long as you're feeling that way.
Exercise helps to kill bugs because it warms up the body. It also helps to move toxins because it increases the blood flow and moves the lymph. All those things can contribute to making you tired.
Since I have gotten well, I have gotten certified to teach pilates and have become an advanced student. I can keep up with my 23 year old daughter who is also a pilates instructor. And ..... we have our "everyday" workouts, which make us feel good .... but .... when we do our advanced workouts, BOTH of us are tired later in the day!!! That is normal. For that reason, I only workout at that level once or twice per week.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I started working out at the gym aft first round of doxy and before i was educated the "right" way about Lyme. Aft doxy with in a month, felt great and really started to work out and continued doing that until Dec 2010 then everything started to slow down because i tested positive again prior to that(08/2010) had more doxy(not enough again), and was able to continue but then started to get the best of me and now that I am starting the right treatment with an LLMD I am slowly trying to get back to my routine. I have good and bad days and the good days I take advantage and push myself. When its a bad day I don't push because I need all the energy I can get on those days. So have faith you WILL feel good enough to get back to it!!!
07/2010 LabCorp test again IgG neg, IgM 41,23. Doxy 2 wks
04/2011 MD Lab IgG neg, IgM 41,23 started Suprax, Azithro
07/2011 Bioref Lab, IgG 28&39, IgM 23 added Plaquinal Posts: 58 | From New Jersey | Registered: Mar 2011
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penguingirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28688
posted
Oh I used to be a gym rat - going to spin classes a few times a week and running at least 5 miles a day and lifting. I was never "jacked" but I was pound for pound pretty strong!
Now I walk just 10 min a day or if I have the energy can walk an hour slowly stopping here and there.
I have some arm bands so I can try to regain upper body strength too but holding my arms up over my head is a challenge so I just have to modify when it is too painful.
Sometimes when I take a epsom salt bath I try to lift my leg up and down thinking there must be some water resistance, haha!
Baby steps. We can't push ourselves but we have to have some circulation of some sort.
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I was able to eventually add running back to my routine. Not right away and when I did I had the 50% rule.
I did 50% of what I felt (not what I wished) I could run and went at about 50% of normal intensity.
Prior to lyme I ran and did triathlons - short and long stuff. I am now up to running close to 30 miles a week and hiking. Adding biking soon.
I still have to listen very closely to my body or I could crash. There is a point in tx where cardio actually helped to speed up my kete killing rate from the running enduced herx it created.
IMO/E you need to be far enough along into treatment to be able to tolerate the stress of exercise without crashing. The worst thing you can do it push beyond your limits right now.
My rule of thumb was if I had to ask myself numerous times if I felt up to running then the answer was no and it was a day off.
Posts: 151 | From North East | Registered: May 2011
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posted
How do you balance that? Should I wait to start anything? Every time I do anything I crash. I CAN do it physically but later I crash and it is so not worth it. I can't wait for this week to be over so I can see the doc. about this. I pray it is the right one.
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Fuel1212.... Yes. I get where after any exertion... (I'm not working out at this point) just grocery shopping... when I stop walking/pushing cart I feel tingles throughout the used muscles/skin.
I have consistent head pressure... However, it does increase with movement, exercise, sitting, coughing etc.
My ringing that I deal with, I have not associated it with anything as far as when it comes around.
And BTW, today was a good day!!! Seems to be a pattern, I get 2-3 good days a week.
I was able to go without a nap today, and I went to Walmart for more than just groceries and the dollar store. And even after both of those I wasn't limping around!
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Is the head pressure a lyme thing too? Do you wake up with a headache every day?
I get dizzy but not right after exertion.
Glad to hear there are some good days.
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Ran 6 miles a day before Lyme... Now up to 3 miles after 7 months of treatment. Yep you'll get better and be able to run again
Posts: 286 | From St. Louis | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I know that I am B-12 deficient. I have had gastric bypass surgery... almost 5 years ago.
I get B-12 shots every other week.
I have virtigo/dizziness comes and goes not necessarily with exertion pme
Yes, I typically always have headaches. It is to the point that I have gotten used to them... I have dealt with chronic headaches for many many years.
It's only when they intensify that I really pay attention to them, and take something for the pain.... although, I don't know why I bother most of the time taking anything, because normally it doesn't help much... but, I always hope.
I have been seen by neurologist and neuro-opthalmolgist for headaches. (I have vision issues also) I've had Brain and Cerivical MRI, as well as Lumbar Puncture. All were fine.
I think the head pressure might be a co-infection thing (vise like pressure)
I'm not sure if my good days right now are because of abx cycle.... IM Bicillin CR (when it has worn off) and thats all I'm on. (don't get me started on that one...lol)
Or if the cycle of good and bad days might be a symptom of co-infection?
pme... there are going to be good and bad days. Celebrate the good days. Do extra with the kids on those days. It will make you feel better for the days that you can't do as much as you would like to do with them.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
I know what you are saying. I always push when I feel great...but I pay.
Sat my daughter had her first communion so there was a lot of activity, prep etc, but by 1:00 I was nauseous, shaky, needed a nap. It just hit me.
For mother's day I wanted to power wash the deck and my daughters wanted a garden. I tried to do some of that and today I cannot think, shaky, nauseous, exhausted etc. I guess it wouldn't matter, I might feel like that whether I did stuff or not.
I just want to walk or run...and work efficiently.
I just read that the sooner the treatment the better the prognosis. I hope 3 years isn't too much.......
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Three years is not too long. I had Lyme for over 30 years, but managed it with supps, exercise, diet, sleep, sunshine, etc. Then I got bitten again and it was 3 years past that until I got diagnosed.
By the time I got diagnosed, I couldn't have walked around the block, much less thought about power-washing a deck!!!
I got well. It's not easy. But it can be done.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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I was a runner pre-lyme, and one of the worst things emotionally for me with being ill is not being able to run so I completely get your question!![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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