Do most people here avoid doing cardio excercise because of dr. Bs guidelines? I used to run before I got sick, never liked doing weight bearing excercise. What could happen if I started cardio again?
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
I am confused about it myself I swam all through my treatment
I don't know if it hindered my recovery or not.
My LLMD encouraged any and all activity
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
I have tried to keep up some type of regimen because I have done cardio and resistance training for over 20 years.
My regimen included aerobic exercise with strength training, pilates, yoga and stretching from programs that I have taped over the years on the fitness channel. (Gilad and Denise Austin)
Once I started ABX, it became more difficult. I have tried to modify my regimen to every other day and to include more strength training with a smaller dose of cardio per Dr. B's guidelines.
So far, I feel this has helped me in my recovery. I recently have been feeling better and notice quite a chance in my level of endurance. I am still careful to not overdo things.
I have read here about others continuing to run while in treatment. Some have modified to walking. Hopefully some others will respond and share their stories.
Posted by FamilyFive (Member # 37206) on :
I asked this same question not long ago, having been a big runner myself.
If you have an infection, increasing your heart rate too hight can cause permanent heart damage. Unfortunately it can happen at once... it's not cumulative. This happened to a friend of mine, who now can't do ANY exercise and has a permanent heart condition.
In addition, with lyme and co's your adrenal process and immune systems are compromised. Your body is already working so hard to fight the lyme, the aerobic exertion can cause a negative impact in healing.
That said, a certain amount of exercise is good for most of us. The key is to keep your exertion level low-to-moderate, and integrate strength and resistance training. Both my LLMD and ND discourage cardio/aerobic exercise right now.
In the end, I made the decision to make myself as healthy as possible so I can kick the lyme. If it means taking a few of years off from running, then it's worth the sacrifice.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I believe the strength training is recommended because it drops the immune system for one day only where cardio can drop the immune system for a longer period of time.
The immune system will come up the next day after strength training but takes longer to do that with cardio. Also, according to Burrascano guidelines, one should never exercise more than every other day.
I have no idea if all this changes once you are in remission.
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
I think it also has an impact on the liver (cardio) being that you need the liver to help with energy during aerobic exercise.
Cardio makes me crash hard.....fought through this for years before I knew I had Lyme.
My PT wanted me to start with Yoga. I ran and biked and did weight work before so yoga seemed kind of wimpy. But I did start it and have to admit I feel more relaxed doing it (its really beginner yoga) and I don't crash.
Once I can work my way up to doing it regularly then we will add some weight training (he explained to me why he didn't want me to do it quite yet but I need him to tell me again).
Dr. Bs guidelines explain why exercise is necessary.
Its tough and I know there are a ton of former athletes taking a semi retirement on this board.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Would you do cardio if you had the flu?? I think not. So think of this the same way. Too stressful on your body.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Aerobic exercise during infection can cause serious and permanent damage the HEART, nerve fibers, adrenals, liver & kidneys.
AN OVERWHELMED LIVER CANNOT TOLERATE AEROBIC EXERCISE. This is something of major importance and creates a cascade of problems.
Well, if your hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders CAN grip then it's VERY important to do light weight training. VERY.
Put on music - use things other than formal weights - maybe turn it into getting things done as you move your muscles.
However, many here cannot grip with their hands to lift anything.
So, then don't irritate tender tissue further by trying to grip. Figure out which muscle strengthening moves work for you. Some leg work might be possible.
Even isometric exercises can help.
There are OTHER ways to move safely:
Qi Gong (or Chi Kung); Tai Chi; Pilates; RESTORATIVE Yoga (not power and not hot yoga);
WALKING, STROLLING . . . just moving to music however your body enjoys that.
LIGHT biking - very slowly, NOT in traffic but on a bike path away from auto exhaust where you can take it easy.
Swimming, also not in the lap lane but just slow and steady. Enjoy it.
A mini trampoline (but just slowly, barely bouncing).
A HOBBY that just lets your body move but does not push it too much. Mostly, it's not so much about a workout but just moving frequently at a rate that both kind to our body while bringing us enjoyment.
You'd be surprised as how strengthening even Qi Gong can be.
Bottom line: TALK TO YOUR LLMD; do what works FOR you, not causing "payback" that day or the next (as "payback" can cause damage).
While "listening to your body" is normally valuable advice, with exercise, often those with lyme often do not get the warning sign in time to stop. The joy of running with the wind can override that early warning system. So, be mindful of that. -
[ 06-28-2012, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by lifewithlyme (Member # 4557) on :
I don't know. I've had lyme for almost 14 years but have been running for 20....I just ran a five mile road race on fathers day (in 47 minutes, not great but not terrible)...and I will always, always run on my good days. Nothing, literally nothing makes me feel better, more empowered, than doing the thing I love the most. I personally have never found a definitive connection between running and flareups. At all. So I'll keep runnin', til' I can't any more. But thats me. This disease blows people out in so many different ways its unreal. I do listen to my body, though. If I have feel like poo I never 'push through it'....but I had years of non stop poo and now i'm in and out of..poo.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I do aerobics and I feel great afterwards now. At first, I felt crappy the next day but not anymore. My LLMD does not have a problem with me doing aerobics as long as I can tolerate.
Like all things with this treatment, I think it is individualized. You do what you can handle.