posted
I am on day two of Doxy. I had just started Weight Watchers and exercising a couple months ago.
I have a 5k race coming up in August. I was just wondering what I should plan for exercising.
Right now I am way too tired to do anything. Will this get better? I know I am not supposed to be in the sun, but I usually walk/run in the morning. Would this be too much for me?
Any advice/comments appreciated.
Thanks.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
I think walking is great. Some say aggressive exercise may be immunosuppressive. Moderation is key, but I believe walking or even rebounding is helpful for detoxification.
My .02 cents.
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- leanne,
Establishing whether you were nearly finished with your treatment - or not, and so others can know as that detail matters in the reply. Here are excerpts from your posts the past couple of days:
I went to the ER tonight because yesterday and today I was feeling fatigued/dizzy and I had a fever today. . . . my leg started bothering me. Yesterday morning I noticed a painful red bump on the back of my knee. . . . it had a ring around the outside.
[ER doctor] "gave me a 3 wk prescription. Told me to follow up with family doctor now and then in 4 weeks get a blood test done again."
". . . 100mg 2x per day. . . ."
post further down the thread: "he bite area is very painful. It was before, but it seems to be getting worse."
"I just noticed the bite on Thursday. It's been progressively getting bigger and more painful. THis morning I woke up and it hurt just to walk on my leg (the bite is behind my knee). It is very painful to touch."
(leanne33) ------------
Will be back with links for you. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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I am not sure what your issue is. I said I was on DAY TWO of doxy. I think that is pretty obvious that I just started. I know what I have posted, not sure why you feel the need to attack me like that. This is why I don't like posting on new forums. People that have been here forever make new people feel dumb because they don't do things exactly as expected. I think I will go back to just reading. Thanks for people that actually offered advice.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- leanne,
First, to answer the question: "Aerobic exercises are NOT allowed, not even low impact variety, until the patient has recovered." (see below)
Sorry to say this, but 3 weeks' of low dose doxycycline will not be enough. I know you were going to see your GP this past Friday and discuss the suggestions from others (at your previous thread) for getting longer and more enhanced treatment.
How did that appointment go?
You really need to see a LLMD. (As detailed in the links at your other thread). You need to be assessed for other tick-borne infections.
I know the 5K is something you are looking forward to, however, this year your goals have been shifted into saving your life. Not to scare you, but lyme is one of the most toxic infections there is and treatment will take a few months - or longer.
It's excellent that you found the bite - and the rash - early. Still, there's a lot to do just taking care of this. I hope you find a LLMD very soon.
Treatment Guidelines, 16th edition, October, 2008 Joseph J. Burrascano, Jr., M.D.
Page 20:
. . . If treatment can be continued long term, then a remarkable degree of recovery is possible.
However, attention must be paid to all treatment modalities for such a recovery - not only antibiotics, but rehab and exercise programs, nutritional supplements, enforced rest, low carbohydrate, high fiber diets, attention to food sensitivities, avoidance of stress, abstinence from caffeine and alcohol, and absolutely no immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example). . . .
* Page 27 for SUPPORTIVE THERAPY & the CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES
Page 31: LYME DISEASE REHABILITATION
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 goal is to exercise intermittently, with exercise days separated by days of total rest, including an effort to have plenty of quality sleep.
The trick is to time the exercise days to take advantage of these rebounds. For an example, begin with an exercise day followed by 3 to 5 rest days; as stamina improves, then fewer rest days will be needed in between workouts.
However, because T-cell functions do fall for at least one day after aggressive exercises, be sure to never exercise two days in a row. Finally, an in intermittent exercise program, properly executed, may help to reset the HPA axis more towards normal.
On the following page is an exercise prescription that details these recommendations.
This program may begin with classical physical therapy if necessary. The physical therapy should involve massage, heat, ultrasound and simple range of motion exercises to relieve discomfort and promote better sleep and flexibility.
Ice (vasoconstriction) and electrical stimulation (muscle spasm and trauma) should not be used!
The program must evolve into a graded, ultimately strenuous exercise program that consists of a specific regimen of non-aerobic conditioning- see below.
Have the patient complete a gentle hour of prescribed exercise, then go home, have a hot bath or shower, than try to take a nap. Initially, patients will need this sleep, but as they recover, the exercise will energize them and then a nap will no longer be needed.
NOTE: a cardiac stress test may be necessary prior to exercising to ensure safety. -------------
Page 32:
LYME REHAB-PHYSICAL THERAPY PRESCRIPTION
. . . (there is a P.T. prescription all set to fill out here) . . .
Excerpt:
PROGRAM:
1. Aerobic exercises are NOT allowed, not even low impact variety, until the patient has recovered.
2. Conditioning: work to improve strength and reverse the poor conditioning that results from Lyme, through a whole-body exercise program, consisting of light calisthenics and/or resistance training, using light resistance and many repetitions.
This can be accomplished in exercise classes called "stretch and tone", or "body sculpture", or can be achieved in the gym with exercise machines or carefully with free weights (see cautions above).
3. Each session should last one hour. A gentle hour is preferable to a strenuous half-hour. If the patient is unable to continue for the whole hour, then decrease the intensity to allow him/her to do so.
4. Exercise no more often than every other day. The patient may need to start by exercising every 4th or 5th day initially, and as abilities improve, work out more often, but NEVER two days in a row. The nonexercise days should be spent resting.
5. This whole-body conditioning program is what is required to achieve wellness. A simple walking program will not work, and simply placing the patient on a treadmill or an exercise bike is not acceptable (except very briefly, as part of a warm-up), as aerobics can be damaging and must be avoided. . . .
From Dr. Bruno's "Fainting and Fatigue" in the Spring 1996 CFIDS Chronicle
Post-polio expert Dr. Richard Bruno points out that physical over-activity is the biggest cause of post-polio symptoms. [3]
Excerpt:
``when mice infected with Coxsackie B3 were forced to swim in a warm pool, the virulence of the virus was drastically augmented.
In fact, viral replication was augmented 530 times. This did horrendous things to the animals' hearts. We all know that to play squash with the flu can lead to heart attacks.
Much the same danger can be courted by undertaking hard exercise with M.E. (CFS).'' - End quote.
==============
See the post about brain hypoperfusion (and how aerobic exercise making that worse for CFS patients) from the SPECT details from the Nightingale group. This thread also talks about POTS, etc.:
Topic: To everyone with cardiac symptoms please read !
---------------
GOOD MOVES:
Tai Chi, Qi Gong, some kinds of Yoga and Pilates routines . . . strength training . . . walking . . . maybe slow biking . . . water movement (Tai Chi in water is very nice) . . . whatever brings you joy of movement while safely supporting your body. Do what you love. Dancing can be good.
There are many speeds to most activities. Do what you love at a speed your body will love you for. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thank you, I had a feeling that was the case. Obviously beating this is more important now.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- leanne33,
I'm sorry that adding background detail was felt as an attack.
Yes, you said "day two of doxy" - but some start on different medicines and doxy might be after Minocycline or Biaxin - or Amoxicillin - or start after years of no treatment at all.
I was trying to help so that those posting have the answers they would surely be asking themselves right at their fingertips and you'd have the best replies possible.
You expressed: "People that have been here forever make new people feel dumb because they don't do things exactly as expected."
I'm really sorry if that's how you feel your threads have been answered. Lyme is extremely complex - and dangerous -- and if you sense frustration it is not with you but with the lack of knowledge in the medical field. We are trying to help you get the proper care you need.
I'm sorry that all this comes as a shock because the doctors have not gotten themselves educated enough to have told you all about this. It's very steep learning curve and a lot to absorb all at once. I hope you can find the care you need. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I've been on dox for almost 8 weeks (first treatment, ever) and couldn't even think of running. LLMD told me no aerobic exercise, but I NEED to be walking as much as I comfortably can, but not to overdo it. I'm now doing PT twice a week in a pool, again, not aerobic.
As for WW, I did WW most of this past year (prior to Lyme dx) and was able to lose 20 lbs with just walking as exercise.
Posts: 252 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2010
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
leanne33, be very careful with sun exposure when on Doxy. When I took Doxy, my knuckles got blistered from the sun coming in through the car window!
When taking Doxy, you can get burned even when wearing sunscreen. Many people also get a burning, prickly sensation on their skin from the heat of the sun.
I believe exercise is important. At the same time, it is important to listen to your body and not overdo. Do what you can and rest when you need to. Good luck with your treatment.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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Understood. I am a bit on edge, trying to wrap my head around this stil. If it is suggested that no aerobic exercise is done while on treatment, it shouldn't matter if it was day 2 after another treatment.
Anyway, I go to my doctor on Friday, so maybe I will get that advice then, maybe not.
I post here now because, like everyone else I am sure, I want answers now! haha. It's also obvious that there is a lot of knowledge here.
It's always comforting to talk with others going through, or have gone through the same things.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- leanne,
some who are past the big hurdles in treatment and have made it to early stages of remission but are still on maintenance doses (with doxy or other Rx) do run. They may still be switching about meds. So, details do make a difference. It's just good to know details so that you get the best answers. And, hopefully, with good treatment, you will be running again in next summer's 5 K. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
This was my first time ever running. I loved it, made me feel so good throughout the day. Hopefully I can get back into it after.
Posts: 20 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2010
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