So, I've started weight lifting. Started out with just 1 pound weights and moved up as I was able. After months, I am now up to 50 pounds with each arm and 149 with legs. Know what? It caused me to herx! So, here's my theory...
First, I know nothing about the actual process the muscle undergoes from weightlifting. But I believe the muscle tears to some degree and then rebuilds making it stronger. I believe that this tearing releases some of the Lyme in the muscle where it can be killed by the immune system (or antibiotics). In reality, all I know is that after the first couple of months of weightlifting I no longer have herxing pain in my muscles. (joints yes) but not my muscles anymore! Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
I like it.
Plus our body temp raises during exercise and your oxygen levels should increase some.
This creates an uncomfortable environment for the buggers.
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
That's great. I've been meaning to start on my weight lifting again since returning from the Hansa Clinic last week. I know it will help me feel even better and build up my muscles. I've lost so much muscle mass over the last year and I need to work on gaining it back. Exercising is an important part of getting well.
Glad to hear you are doing so well on weightlifting. Thanks for posting this as it motivates me to get started on this again pronto!
Gary
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
I agree. It helps the mind and the soul too...not to get too metaphysical on you.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I think your right.
I missed the last 2 steps nite before last and
luckily I had a empty box that broke my fall.
I thought my shoulders were going to be ripped off
again... Yesterday I could hardly go, yet today I seem to be better in a lot of ways. Even shoulders.
It may be the adrenaline pumping we need.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
I have been lifting weights also, every other day. In fact I should be doing it today but I just don't have the energy to do it. I mostly work my legs because lifting weight with my arms seems to bother the port in my chest.
I too have lost so much muscle mass. My boyfriend has watched my body deteriorate since being so ill.
It feels so good to have some strength back in my legs. I can feel it when walking up the stairs.
Dr. B says "you will not get better if you don't exercise." I am starting to believe this.
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
quote:Originally posted by Haley: I have been lifting weights also, every other day. In fact I should be doing it today but I just don't have the energy to do it. I mostly work my legs because lifting weight with my arms seems to bother the port in my chest.
I too have lost so much muscle mass. My boyfriend has watched my body deteriorate since being so ill.
It feels so good to have some strength back in my legs. I can feel it when walking up the stairs.
Dr. B says "you will not get better if you don't exercise." I am starting to believe this.
My wife, who is a member here, posts under daisyrlb, says she believes exercises is one of the main reasons she overcame lyme disease. She has a post under "Success Stories" if you are interested in reading it.
Gary
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Thanks Gary. I think we should all check that out.
Posted by Chronic Triathlete (Member # 15245) on :
exercise oxygenates the blood in your muscles. the bugs are killed off by oxygen. perhaps your herx is from that.
or...
you could just be experiencing the effects of exercise on your out of condition, lyme-infected body. you didn't say what you're herx symptoms were so it's hard to say.
could be adrenal or other endocrine-related activities that are giving your herx feeling. again... hard to say.
regardless, exercise is key to recovery. weights are a great place to start. work up slowly to cardio and don't try to lift more in an effort to kill more bugs. it doesn't work that way. just keep it as part of the program.
good luck! /ct
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
My muscle pain never changes even if I do 100 lb dumbell presses....no luck. Still tons of arm pain! I do however have less pain during exercise.
I have been avoiding cardio like the plague and wonder if that is half my issue? Dr. B sayd NOOOOOO cardio. So, I do no cardio.
He states:
quote:Aerobic exercises are NOT allowed, not even low impact variety, until the patient has recovered!
That is UNCLEAR.
If you read his program, I don't exactly follow it for my own personal reasons and fitness goals. So, should I be following his advice to a T?
I do weights three days a week, legs and abs day1 Monday, chest and shoulder Wednesday and back on Friday. I go heavy and take long rest periods between exercises.
Since I have built a lot of strength and size back up doing this, this year...maybe I will try it going light as Dr. B says. I can always go heavy again when 100%.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
How about walking? I think everyone who CAN, should walk! (even if it's just to the mailbox!)
I'm not sure this is a good idea for everyone. Don't forget, when muscles are stressed, they get a buildup of lactic acid. We know it as soreness. Lyme infected bodies are already challenged in their detoxification abilities. To add lactic acid to the mix might be giving the body more toxins to handle. Not to mention more inflammation.
Also, many Lyme sufferers have EBV and HHV-6 as coinfections. Exercise can make those with EBV crash heavily.
I'm not saying that Lyme patients should not exercise. Burrascano supports it, but I think his guidelines should be followed to the letter. It should be done carefully and slowly to start working up to tolerance. Of course one doesn't want to find out the tolerance level the hard way.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I hope I get enough exercise doing the work I need to do such as mucking poop up from horses, tossing bales of hay, riding and weeding the garden etc. I absolutely hate lifting weights. And I just don't have the energy to lift weights and do this work.
I am pretty strong but I have no stamina for the cardio. It just exhausts me. I get breathless and dizzy.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
I've always felt better when exercising, but after 2-3 weeks of going hard, I crash. This was before I knew I had lyme.
I agree that it's best to start out extremely slow and build from there. The last crash I had was months ago, haven't quite found the stamina to jump back up. I've had mono off and on from when i was a baby so I'm sure thats related to EBV.
Exercise is definitely Key! But take it easy and listen to your body when it's crying out for sleep!
I also found Udo's or fish oil, lots of vitamin C, and L-Glutamine powder to help muscle repair. (L-glutamine helped me with my sugar cravings also).
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