I've heard numerous times that we should avoid aerobic exercise, and I'm sure I've read the reasoning behind it at some point, but my brain is feeling pretty jumbled and slow today so I can't remember.
It just seems counter-intuitive. I don't want to incur further health issues while fighting this thing, and it feels like exercise would help keep me strong.
Also, I'm eating a lot of fat with my Mepron these days, and I'm worried about putting on extra weight.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
If your stamina can handle it, it's okay. If it drains you, it's not.
Dr. B's guidelines spell it all out on what exercise is best. He says to include strength training and stretching. Things like pilates or light weights are perfect for Lyme patients.
Exercise WILL help to keep you strong. Dr. B says you MUST exercise, he just says no cardio until you're feeling better.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Take walks everyday! It will do great things for you!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
From page 31 of Burrascano Guidelines:
"Despite antibiotic treatments, patients will NOT return to normal unless they exercise, so therefore an aggressive rehab program is absolutely necessary. It is a fact that a properly executed exercise program can actually go beyond the antibiotics in helping to clear the symptoms and to maintain a remission.
Although the scientific basis for the benefits of exercises is not known, there are several reasonable theories. It is known that Bb will die if exposed to all but the tiniest oxygen concentrations. If an aggressive exercise program can increase tissue perfusion and oxygen levels, then this may play a role in what is being seen.
Also, during aggressive exercise, the core body temperature can rise above 102 degrees; it is known that B. burgdorferi is very heat sensitive. Perhaps it is the added tissue oxygenation, or higher body temperature, or the combination that weakens the Lyme Borrelia, and allows the antibiotics and our defenses to be more effective. Regular exercise-related movements can help mobilize lymph and enhance circulation. In addition, there is now evidence that a carefully structured exercise program may benefit T-cell function: this function will depress for 12 to 24+ hours after exercise, but then rebound. This T-cell depression is more pronounced after aerobics which is why aerobics are not allowed."
The explanation is in the last few sentences of the quote.
In layman's terms, aerobic exercise depresses your immune system for too long a time.
Burrascano says that lyme patients should do weight lifting or calesthenics instead. Only every other day. Not every day. That allows time for the immune system to rebound.
It worked for me. This exercise program was very important in my recovery.
Posted by rmsfnc (Member # 27539) on :
Yes walks will. The light bouncing will also help Lymph drainage.
Posted by AnnaOD20 (Member # 29942) on :
I exercise and feel good after doing so. Today I did 30 mins on an elliptical and then took a 55 min body sculpt class. I also take spin cardio sculpt and pilates classes. I visualize killing off this bacteria while working out!
Posted by mattnapa (Member # 26414) on :
I am very conflicted on this subject.
Heavy aerobic exercise has always helped me with anxiety, and great for providing general well being.
That being said I think I have become more aware of how much recovery I might really need.
For me at least, I think there is a tendency to not listen closely to the clues given by my body thaty I still need more recovery time before doing aerobics again.
From my perspective it seems even non-lyme types need to proceed very slowly and carefully when working up to significant and frequent aerobic exe rcise.
That being said I have basically held back because of Dr B's suggestion on the subject, but I remain mildly sceptical that is appropriate in all cases
Posted by Clint31 (Member # 16420) on :
Have heard that aerobic exercise actually kills the spirochete. Body temperate/sweating heats them and bakes them and they die. Just one theory.
If you can handle it you should do it. Ease into it.
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
It's fine if you can handle it without worsening your illness. You'll know if you're worsening it because exercise is intended to improve your health, wellbeing and reduce pain -- not increase it.
We're talking about moderate aerobic activity. If you meet this criteria, you're fine. If you can barely walk to the bathroom without passing out, you're not fine and you should not attempt aerobics.
Understand? If can and it feels good, do it. If it feels bad, and increases symptoms, don't.
Posted by mattnapa (Member # 26414) on :
My point was that this simplistic approach of do it if it feels good is not as simple as it sounds for a lot of folks.
Endorphins released by heavy aerobic activity can anaesthetize oneself to some forms of pain and fatigue.
People can also become very emotionally attached to their beliefs about aerobics and again become somewhat blinded in their ability to objectively evaluate the effects of aerobics on their body