Can you set me straight about aerobic exercise and LD? My LLMDs told me no aerobic exercise but my excellent (though not LL) PT/DC is wanting me to do some. (One LLMD asked me to commit to 20 minutes of anaerobic exercise a day. That I do.) I said I'd check it out just to be sure; run it by you all and double check with my docs.
So whaddya say, is aerobic exercise to be strictly avoided while being treated for LD and Babs? It sure would help my mood.
Thanks and best to you all. Don't know what I'd do without youse.
Posts: 261 | From San Mateo, CA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I can only tell you what I do but everyone is different.
Since I have taken karate for 8 years,(only forms, kicks, etc., not fighting or contact lately), I was able to keep it up even after the lyme got worse.
Then when I started abx the die-off made it very difficult but I did what I could, sat down when I had to and then finished if possible. Some days I missed altogether but not many. I go 3 times a week.
Our studio was closed over Thanksgiving and my body suffered from stiffness and awful pain (of course, I could have worked out here but didn't).
For others, it may make them worse to do this because they weren't doing it for a period of time before they became ill.
If I were you, I would do as much as you could, then see how you feel afterwards.
I feel so much better afterwards -- less stiffness, less pain and a sense of well-being.
I've heard some people say if they did all that they wouldn't be able to get out of bed for a week.
The pain duck/doc I went to before lyme who said I had FM told me not to do any karate. Well, I got my first and second degree (she was proud of me) but if I had listened to her, I believe I would be in bed right now not able to even get up at this point.
Only you know your own body and how it will react to aerobics! There are such great benefits to exercise if you can tailor it where it makes you feel better and doesn't make you feel worse.
shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
I agree with Sandy on this one. I understand that some LLMD's recommend anaerobic exercise (such as yoga, Pilates, or weights) but not running or other aerobic stuff.
If you had already been doing aerobic exercise, you may be able to sustain it through your illness to some degree, so go for it. You may want to tailor your day to rest before and nap after. We're talking about your own quality of life. Do what feels right to you.
Personally, I could not sustain any aerobic activity when I was sick -- it took too much out of me afterward. I did not have the luxury of resting anytime I wanted. I was able to keep up with a milder schedule of teaching and working out with my students (dance and gymnastics), which has been stepped up 4-fold now that I am feeling better.
Stay in as much physical shape as you can, but don't be afraid that it will all be lost to illness. There is wellness -- and the ability to get in shape again -- on the other side.
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
Hi! This is kind of a ramble, sorry. I have exercised all my life. I had been mis-dx'd with FMS for 17 yrs. prior to my Lyme dx, and had done aerobics the whole time, since it is recommended for FMS, and I did not know I had Lyme. I had to take a heart drug to be able to do aerobics, due to tachycardia, but even that did not clue my docs that anything was wrong. The belief is that FMS is a glitch in the brain and the pain doesn't mean anything, so you should push, push, push. That's what I did! I now think most FMS patients have Lyme. On the plus side, I credit all this exercise for my strength and the fact that I never completely crash. I msut still do some aerobics or I can't sleep, but I have toned it down, and am not so hard on myself. I was well into Stage III before my Lyme dx, yet have never needed a walker, wheelchair or been even close to being bed-ridden like many I know who were in the same boat, after having been mis-dx'd for decades. On the minus side, I think the aerobics may be why I have so much heart damage (3 leaking valves and 2 conduction disorders). I have major problems doing anerobic exercise....the pain is unbearable, and in 15 yrs. of weight lifting, I have never been able to go beyond a 5 minute routine, every other day, with only 4 lb. weights. Contrary to what I've read about Lyme and exercise, I find aerobics much easier, but even a little bit too much causes major pain later on. Also, before I used a treadmill, my lower back was the one place that did not hurt. Now, I have disc degeneration and awful pain there. My very first time on a treadmill, my back hurt so bad, I had to have a cortisone shot to be able to lie down in bed. Cortisone and Lyme do not mix, but I did not know I had Lyme then. I do not know why walking outside does not hurt, but treadmills do....just a warning to those considering treadmills. I can't walk outside anymore, due to my heart. I now do yoga stretching, wt. lifting, therabands, range of motion, and treadmill 3 X per week for an hour total, and try to treadmill or do low impact dance aerobics 2 other days per week for at least 30 mins. but if I feel really bad, I let myself off the hook now and try not to feel guilty. I have a lot of cardiac risk factors, and a weight problem that came on really fast when I got sick, and that makes me think I need aerobics. Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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riversinger
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4851
posted
I heard Dr. B explain this. Aerobic excercise has impacts on the immune system. Early in treatment, this is not desireable. Later, as you recover more, he does recommend it. I'm sorry I don't have the details, I only heard it once. It is in his talk in the Hope to Heal DVD.
He does highly recommend stretching and weight lifting from the very beginning, but not every day. Also, only to tolerance. If you can only lift the very lightest, tiny weights, than that is what you do to start. You MUST have time to recover inbetween sessions. he recomend exercise so stongly, he goes so far as to say you won't recover if you don't exercise.
Some people do allright with aerobic exercise early in their treatment. Possibly they are not as sick as the people Dr B is saying should not do it. There is a very wide range of how Bb manifests. You have to use discrimination.
If doing aerobics helps you, then do it! If it makes you worse, then don't.
posted
In August 2004, I was running 6-8 miles a week. In August 2005, I was so weak that I couldn't even go downstairs to get my mail.
I've been pretty athletic all my life until this got me. On antibiotics for about 2 months now, I'm getting better, but if I try anything that even remotely resembles aerobic activity (20 min on the elliptical machine at a very slow (30rpm) rate, I'm laid out in bed for 12 hours the next night and wiped out the next couple of days.
Plus my brain gets foggy and my eye starts to droop from the fatigue.
Those of you who have been able to continue exercising as you've described are so incredibly lucky! From my vantage point, I can hardly believe you're sick if you can do that.
I'm so anxious to get better so I can start exercising again. I hate it that I'm gaining weight and getting fat.
Posts: 449 | From Pasadena, CA, usa | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I was going to post the exact same question. I have regularly excercised for years now and am not sure I should do it right now. I have had Lyme symptoms since before Halloween this year and am on antibiotics for a while yet. I have muscle/joint weakness that makes it very difficult to do weights - since the weakness literally makes me want to drop the weight. I tried a walk and went 1 mile but was very exhausted when done. Since then I have been more fatigued than normal and my lyme headache came back. I am sure it is just the eb and flow of lyme symptoms or a herx reaction since have been on new antibotics only 10-14 days. Usually my body tells me when to excercise and it is not telling me this time. Best to ask Doctor, I guess. I feel excercising will use energy I do not have. It sounds like the jury is still out on this one.
-------------------- JLT Posts: 25 | From Columbus, OH | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
My experience - as a 21 year-old athletic male with severe, chronic Lyme - is that aerobic exericse is difficult but helpful in moderation. For example, running 2-4 miles a day helps me to sleep and helps my digestion. I do like to do these ultra-endurance hikes (my favorite is 34 miles in a day with over 7000 feet of elevation gain), and even healthy people get wiped out - I won't tell you how bad I get.
Anaerobic exercise really energizes me, though, and in the winter months it has become my primary form of exercise. For me, the benefits outweigh the problems - but I only learned this through trial and error.
Posts: 45 | From Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
You should ask your doctor why not for your individual case. I have also been told by my LLMD not to do aerobic excercise. So, I do walk all the time, but mellow, not for a heavy work out. If Im not feeling good, I do try to walk around the block to a neighbors for tea. And, it will often wipe me out. I sometimes take longer walks in the woods, slow and steady, no heart rate up aerobic stuff. I may walk 1/2 mile or 1 mile, but not every day, and it often wipes me out.
If you are having trouble sleeping, it might be good to get wiped out. But, ask your doctor about if it affects your healing, and if it does, keep it to a rate where it doesnt affect you too much.
I never asked if it ahs to do with healing because I am a single mom with three kids and having post exertion fatigue takes me out of the game when I need to be here to take care of them. I dont have the luxury to be out on the couch from exercise.
I have tried recently to start mild non aerobic excercise at the gym, today was my third time. I was visibly very grumpy and not up to cooking dinner, so I'll need to be more careful. My doctor did want me to do mild excercise, but I could never make my physical therapy appointments, so I joined a gym by my daughters classes where I have to be anyway. I went into their 20 min circuit room,and did the circle of machines without doing the aerobic jogging stuff in between(theyre pretty empty at the time I go) I did the curcuit twice then went in the sauna for 10 minutes. I guess I'll have to do less next time.
I figure it is better to take care of everybody and concentrate on healing, I can get into shape later. Although, some weight or resistance work is good to keep your muscles from atrophy.
Posts: 222 | From Santa Cruz Mountains, CA USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
IMHO gentle exercise is best to start with. The types of exercise people can do will vary depending on their particular situation. Some folks can continue with some sort of aerobic exercise and some won't for various reasons.
Some people will be able to stretch with no problem, others will go into a herx. This is not necessarily bad if its not too much.
Some folks will be able to do weights while others have too much joint or muscle pain. Swimming is good in a pool that is not too cold (lyme thrives in cold environments), but the chlorine is not good, especially for the thyroid or folks with multiple chemical sensitivities.
Know that our bodies are dealing with a lot of toxins and stress as it is. Getting rid of lactic acid brought on by exercise, aerobic or not, may be more than it can handle easily. You don't want to postpone getting well because you're overexercising.
I suggest you find what works for you and build on it gently knowing that your capacity will vary during treatment. Some abx/medications cause tendon damage so you'll need to be EXTRA careful while taking these for example.
Do find exercises that you can stick with safely and joyfully just go slow and gentle so you don't sabotage your healing. And really listen to your body.
I went from being very athletic to only being able to stretch on a mat (because I couldn't stand). As I got stronger I added in walking. Recently I've gone back to the gym to add in gentle aerobics and light weights to start. I'm thrilled to say the least!
However, I know lots of folks who relapsed badly by working out too much so I'm being very careful and patient.
Good luck to you.
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Hi, psano!
Sure, age is a part of it, but only a small part. The suddenness of the onset of fatigue is a clue that more is going on than just age. When I was sick, I also wondered how much of it was just age or menopause.
I have been a dancer/dance teacher my whole adult life. (I am now 48.) When I was sick, the fatigue was way beyond the normal achiness and tiredness I would feel after a hard day's work. I had to cut back my work schedule drastically. I needed time every day to nap, just to recover from that day's work.
AND my weight went up, as I tried to eat to have enough energy to get through the day, yet was doing less than ever before. Any attempt to lose it just made me fill sicker.
Now in remission, I am able to recover much faster from exertion than I have in over a year. I can remember things better, and multitask again. AND I have been able to lose the weight, through reducing calories and increasing exercise!
I'm not getting THAT much older. I'm getting that much healthier.
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Hi! I know excercise is real inportant but I can not do arobic. I do Jane fonda's start-up tape when I can.
But the last couple times in started a cascade of muscle aches.
I just orded "Sit and be fit" stretching and toning for the days I feel to sick to excercise,as seen on TV by Mary Ann Wilson.
Will let you know when I get it if it helps.
I think a brisk walk is important too.
Take care
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Monica
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 224
posted
There was a time before Lyme Disease and a time before I had to use a walker to get around when I used to walk for aerobic exercise.
Personally, I agree with your LLMD. I am a person who thinks if you are sick your body should be concentrating on getting better. That includes a head cold or flu bug.
Posts: 1757 | From Somerset County, NJ | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Thanks for all the great input! I'm going to be sure to check in with how I'm responding and pay extra attention to not adding too much too soon.
For now, I have decided to add a walk around our long block 4 times a week. It's uplifting for me and hasn't had any negative effects so far after a week.
I'm doing this after my almost hour-long physical therapy workout (weights, stretching etc.) and before I take an FIR sauna - my regular routine. (BTW, I was wiping myself out with too high a temperature in the sauna. Keeping it to 110� max, as advised by my LLMD, seems sustainable. I added in cordyceps at the same time. Sheesh just started Bicillin injections, too. Lots of variables there. I digress.)
I'm planning to ask my LLMDs their opinions on aerobic exercise and will pass that info along as I get it.
Thanks again for all the great information. I'll keep reading and learning from your experiences.
Cheers, D
Posts: 261 | From San Mateo, CA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Here what one LLMD had to say about LD and aerobic exercise:
Lowers T cells Stresses adrenals Makes Blood Brain Barrier more porous
He said that healthy people experience these downsides but they can handle them; we can't
I didn't have the presence of mind to ask him if the BBB porosity could be used to help get abx in to kill Bb. Maybe I'll remember to ask next appointment.
Be well, D
Posts: 261 | From San Mateo, CA | Registered: May 2005
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