Topic: PICC line users - what can you do for upper body exercise?
penguingirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28688
posted
Of course my upper arms is where I am very weak now in addition to my thighs.
I tried yoga - but too many poses hurt me (ie downward dog) plus I have ZERO balance (ie I can't even stand with feet together eyes open without falling over).
For now I have been just doing some leg lifts and squats with no weights.
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
once the initial swelling from the insertion subsided, I have been able to ride the bike, run and hit the weights too without trouble. I keep the line secure - covered with a lightweight cycling arm warmer.
At first I was concerned with the sweat (I have alsways been one who sweats a lot, but Lyme and Co. have made me sweat even more.) but I started slow and consulted with the home nurse each week. Still clean, she said until I was back to doing what I do.
So for me it has been more about how I feel than how the PICC feels.
-------------------- enjoy the day.
-jmb Posts: 208 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2008
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
I couldn't do anything w/the PICC arm.
I vaccummed once, forgot/used the arm and ended up with a blood clot in arm alongside the PICC.
sure regret being a cleanfreak.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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penguingirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28688
posted
jmb - that is great you can ride the bike, run, weights without much trouble. Yes sweating is concerning as we don't want an infection.
dmc - oh no. Sorry about your blood clot. I am also a clean freak and I have vacuumed many times with the PICC - I hope it didn't do much harm for me. No fevers or swelling so I take that I am ok.
As much as this is a pain, I feel SOO much better on IV so I guess I can't knock it too much.
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I find I'm ok with wrist and hand exercises with the arm with the PICC, but cannot do anything that causes my shoulder or elbow to bend/unbend. Repetative motion with a PICC is a no-no, or so I was told when the PICC was inserted initially. And I also am not supposed to lift more than 5 lbs. with the arm that has the PICC, but to me, 5lbs. is really heavy, so I know I'll have a long rehab after the PICC is no longer needed...
I try to go for at least 1 (sometimes am able to do 2) short walk every day, and also sometimes am able to do leg-lifts, squats, and leg stretches.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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