It won't be that much longer before my PICC is pulled. I'm still really bad but one thing I see over and over here about people who have recovered is that they exercised and I want to start.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
You can exercise with it in as long as you don't do any contact sports, jeopardize the arm getting hit, or lift more than ten pounds with the arm.
I made the mistake of starting to lift ten pound weights 3 days after getting my PICC placed (just before the monster herx hit) and it swelled up. I know this is the opposite of your question, but they told me just to wait ten days for it to heal then resume normal exercise with the above restrictions.
I have walked with it in, 2.5 miles, until the herx took me down, but as soon as I am able will begin to exercise again.
Posted by ebbakarin (Member # 16362) on :
Yeah, I think by exercise many people (myself included) mean walking around block or riding your bike for a quarter mile. Anything is better than nothing!
Whatever you do, though, make sure not to lift heavy things above your head or anything that relies on lots of rotation with that arm.
If you exercise heavily, also try to do so the day of or before a dressing change because you will sweat under the dressing.
But once you get it out... happy swimming! Swimming was a great relief-- it's easy on the body and strengthens muscle tone.