dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
Can anyone tell me how we are supposed to do 1 hour of strength training with the Picc line in?
Just curious because I am considering the Picc line and worry that I will backslide if I stop exercising.
I wonder if LLMD could write a script for a physical therapist for a few visits to see what is safe to do and what is not...
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Good question! I've had a picc in since April, but I also haven't been told to start any specific exercise program. However, I discovered that I can get some pretty good exercise working in my garden and other things, that doesn't interfere so there must be some exercises that are OK. I just don't know what they are.
-------------------- Wendy Posts: 253 | From Near Albany, NY | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
I had a PICC line for 3 months and was told by the doctor that inserted it that I could do anything. So I proceeded to help clean stalls (yes, shovel horse manure) and work on a farm. I noticed aching at first, then pain, then even more pain in that arm. It caused problems that took several months to clear even afer the PICC line was removed. I had to use acupuncture to get rid of the nerve pain caused by the activities I did before I realized it was a dumb idea and that the doctor had no clue. It was the nurse that told me NO to any lifting with that arm. She was right.
Posts: 31 | From Kalamazoo MI | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
You can do anything that doesn't involve lifting weights on that arm. So Pilates, lower body lifting, core exercises are all fine.
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
And also one needs to avoid repetitive motion with the arm that has the PICC line.
-------------------- -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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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
Thanks for your info everyone. Jen, so sorry you have gone through this.
Wendy, gardening is one of the things I would be afraid to do because of getting the picc line site dirty - as well as forgetting not to use that arm. I sweat a lot when I garden and not sure this would be good either...
It seems like any of the exercise that I am currently doing could be tricky - as there are many repetitive motions with the videos I use for toning.
Even with yoga, I would need to give up many of the poses. Do you think that even tai chi motions and the arm swings you make while walking for exercise are too repetitive?
I do so many things around the house that require use of both arms (vacuuming, cleaning, lifting groceries, laundry baskets, hanging clothes on line, etc). It will be a challenge for me to change my ways.
I feel so lucky that I am well enough to have resumed being able to do all these things. This is part of my dilemma on the big decision...
The Byron White herbs seem to be helping me. Wondering if I should continue trying them for a few more months before the dreaded choice of the Picc line.
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Well, for the gardening, I just made sure I covered it up well, and yes, I did sweat - a lot. Didn't seem to cause a problem.
I was able to do a fair amount of shoveling actually. Raking, however, no way, that was very uncomfortable. Biking - that was fine (except that my wrists would get sore from leaning on the handlebars). Kayaking, however, nope.
I also found that the bending over repeatedly and picking up clutter irritated it a lot. I just vacuumed with my left arm instead. For groceries, I used my left arm, or only did lighter bags with the picc side.
Your body will let you know what's OK and what isn't - you just have to listen to it.
-------------------- Wendy Posts: 253 | From Near Albany, NY | Registered: Jan 2009
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