posted
I was reading the topic about needing to exercise to get better...how many of you feel nauseous, shaky, weak, etc after exercise and then feel worse for days after?
This is my case and it worries me for my cardiovascular health, etc.
thanks, Cutie
-------------------- Cutie Posts: 125 | From Atlanta | Registered: Dec 2005
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
I get like this with light activity....like cleaning the bathroom. I tried lifting 4lb weights a few months ago....and was worn out for days. It felt like i was lifting 100lbs. I used to work out daily. I walked 2 miles a day.
I dont really have any advice just wanted to let you know this happens to me. Im going to try to slowly work my way up. Start with 5 min...then see how it goes.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I just started going back to the gym this week after reading dr. B's guidelines and reading posts here.
Six months ago I could run three miles on the treadmill in a half hour. When I went this week I felt like a little old lady walking.
The first day I went a half mile in 20 minutes, then the next day I went ONE mile in a half hour! (All the gym rats who knew me before (and didn't know about my illness) were snickering. I went home, took a bath and took a 1 hour nap.
Well, I found that at this pace I had no ill effects whatsoever. I actually felt proud that I could even do this much after so many weeks in bed. I might even say - my lifted spirits are helping my symptoms a bit.
So just take it very very very slow....and don't let others set the pace. Only we know what our bodies will handle. Best
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
I've had the same experience as you. The first time I went to the Y, I did about 15minutes at such a slow pace that the machine kept wanting to turn off. It wiped me out. I went home and took nap. I was wiped out for days. After all the ill effects had worn off, I went back and did it again. I was wiped out afterwards again, but guess what? It didn't last for 4-5 days, I was only wiped out for 3 or 4 days.
Slowly, the recovery time has been shortening, and I've added a few minutes when I feel strong enough to. Lately, I've been able to increase my pace to a steady "fat burning" level. I'm not going to even think about trying cardio yet.
I think one has to be very cautious about increasing exercise. Listen to your body. Don't try to overdo it. On my 3rd or 4th time to the gym, I noticed that my heart rate had increased very quickly to the top of the "fat burning" zone. Wanting to slow down my heart rate, I slowed my pace down to about half of what it was, but my heart rate kept going up at a fairly quick rate. It eventually hit 159/min...way higher than it's ever been, even when I was healthy and exercising.
I've always been quite fit, and just before I became ill was running 6-8 miles/week. Even when doing this sort of activity, my heart rate rarely went over 140, so to see my heart rate go over 150 was really alarming to me.
I've been more careful since that day to go slowly, but I've still been able to increase my time and pace, and every week I seem to be able to tolerate a little more activity. Yeah!!! Progress! Slow but steady. I still only go to the Y about once a week. Eventually I'll try to start going every 5 days or 4 days or so. But if I'm tired at all, I just don't go. I listen to my body.
Posts: 449 | From Pasadena, CA, usa | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I too get shaky after any sort of excercise and I'm afraid I don't do much but am to start trying to build it up slowly. One thing that I have had after a walk is the muscles in my legs doing a sort of twitching or ticking sensation - very strange.
Posts: 229 | From United Kingdom | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I know what you're talking about. My first year + of treatment the littlest bit of exercise or even stretching would totally wipe me out. I would be useless for the rest of the day.
It felt as if the exercise was bringing the ketes out of hiding and my system was being overwhelmed with toxins. I was exhausted, nauseuos & dizzy.
In order to be able to return to working everyday I had to make sure exercise didn't wipe me out. The key is not to push myself, with Lyme that just doesn't work. As I felt better I increased my activity gradually. If I feel good I walk to work, if I feel bad I don't.
Now on my 18th month of treatment I have just reached the point where I can exercise and still go to work. I can work out on my ski machine for 10-12 minutes and feel great, I walk 20 - 30 minutes. My plan is to add a few minutes each week if I'm able.
When I work out with light weights bad things happen. It sets off bad pain in my joints that lasts for weeks or even months. Last week I used light ankle weights and now my knees are much worse. No more weights for a while.
Now that I'm feeling better I realize how ridiculous it was for me to think I was lacking motivation before. I was so sick I couldn't even lift my arms yet I thought I should be trying to do more!
Trust your instincts. You will know when your body is ready to do a little bit more. Back when I could barely move I got the relax & renew supported yoga book. It helped a lot.
hatsnscarfs
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
In August of 2004, I was walking three miles a day on average. By Spring of 2005, I could no longer walk; my right knee was just too swollen.
So I swam all spring, usually just under a mile several days a week.
Until June, when I couldn't do that either.
Now, I walk to the end of the block and back when I can (several days a week, usually). At first, that completely exhausted me, but now, it really makes me feel good.
I keep a set of very very light weights near the sofa, and I do some upper body strength exercises several days a week. So far, I don't have any repercussions, but I keep things very light and easy.
This really isn't a disease I can push...it pushes back, and HARD.
Hats, your post gave me a lot of hope. Thanks!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
I have a lot of trouble with exercise, similar to what a lot of you describe - shakey, exhaustion, etc. I have the added complication of having Dysautonomia which causes exercise intolerance and basically when I try to exercise my pulse can get very high and not come down for a very long time after stopping and my blood pressure can swing from very high to very low quickly causing pre-syncope symptoms and if I'm not careful could lead to passing out. So, to put it plainly, I have to be extremely careful with ANY exercise. I went swimming while on vacation last summer and for almost an hour afterwards I couldn't get my pulse to come below 100 BPM, even while sitting quietly - needless to say I wasn't having a very fun time and wasn't feeling well at all.
lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
I used to be able to excersise alot.,,, 1-2 hours a day!!
thats how I lost 50 pounds,,, but after that I sank into a relase because I started to drink socially and eat poor,,, we that was 4 years ago,,
I relapsed fast and Im still suffering,,,
I have made some progress but the things I cant do anymore are:
Wear cologne MCS Drink even one beer INTOLERENCE Exceresise SEVERE PAIN AND WEAKNESS AND POOR SLEEP
belive me Im a huge advocate to excerecise I just dont know how to start if when ever I do I feel so terrible. I get burning pains all under my skin too.
Did I mention that the only foods I can eat are chicken fish eggs and veggies?? Basically a caveman diet.
Today I had a veggie burger on a bun with a salad and a handfull of my firends fries.
An hour lader my feet felt like they were on fire and my eyes were burning very bad and I became sick feeling.
I just stay away from it. Doc doesnt know what to say other then "its lyme stay away from it"
anyone else care to share?
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
The one thing that really helps me is using Mannatech's Sport supplement during and after exercise. I do NOT sell the stuff, just use it.
It helps to limit the post exercise crash big time for me. It allows me to garden a bit, which feeds my soul!
Carol Ann
Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
I totally agree with cave on this one. It depends on the individual.
I have been a dance/gymnastics teacher for over 25 years. I worked 30+ hours a week, 5-6 days a week. I also had a performance career during that time. I know what "in shape" is.
But there were times when I've been sick with Lyme. I couldn't walk a mile, and could barely ride a bike around a flat city block. I'd teach a class, then take a nap to recover from it. This past year, I cut my hours down to about 10, and could barely make it. My body turned to Jello.
Now I'm back to 30+ hours. I get tired, but I recover quickly, like I used to. I don't know how long this will last, but I'm totally enjoying it! I thought I'd never get my old body back. I'm not 16, but I'm great for 48!
Can you imagine telling your kid with the flu to get out and exercise? Of course not. His body is working very hard, fighting a disease. Sometimes, Lyme is like that.
But if you can, move. Go S-L-O-W at first. This is not time for pushing the envelope. Drink plenty of water. Rest after.
Get out in the fresh air -- great for those with chemical sensitivities, who get sicker just being indoors.
What you do depends on what you CAN do, and what you like, but they may include yoga/stretching, biking (flat surfaces), walking, light weights, or swimming.
Or just turn up the music, and boogie around the house! Sometimes, it just feels good to move. It feels alive.
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
The one thing I have learned after dealing with Lyme for 8 years is that it is so important to find some sort of excersise that you can tolerate and tailor to whatever level of health you are at at the moment.
I think a lot of us start WAY to fast and hard withouth realizing it.
For me I am conctantly tailoring my excersis to where I am at the moment.
When I was REALLY ill and bedbound a lot years ago I did Light weights in bed.....
AFter a while I did more and was able to stand etc...
I also resign myself to daily push ups , ab work and squats ever day not matter what... If I could only do 10 instead of my normal 20 then that is what I did etc....
Now after all this time I bought a Total Gym which has been an incredible help to me! I also have dysautonomia and the fact that you can do many of the excersises at an incline help so much with BP fluctuations...
Ironically I now have better muscle tone and strength than I ever had in my life pre Lyme...
I STILL tailor my wookouts to how I feel. Some days I can do 10 minutes , others I do 40 minutes...
And then there have been days I get on it and do 5 of a couple excersises....
But the one thing I realized is that being consistent is the key not nessesarily working your Butt off and then crashing for weeks b/c of it... Better to do 1 minute of excersise if that is all you can tolerate as long as that 1 minute you can do every day.
Posts: 437 | Registered: Sep 2004
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Wow, Christine, that is fan-tastic!
And I agree with every word. I am so impressed when an adult starts a whole new exercise program based on what they need and what they can do.
You got guts.
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I used to get EXTREMELY FATIGUED after exercise but it wouldn't hit me until the next day. That doesn't happen so much anymore; however, that could be because I can't exercise with the same intensity that I could a year ago!
Now I don't feel sick or fatigued, but I have an even more disturbing symptom. If I push my exercise, my muscles go into total pain mode...not cramping, but PAIN. It is like I pulled every muscle in my thighs and calves. The pain stays for three days and nothing makes it better...not even sleep.
The other symptom that is more common is that when I walk long distances or do my elliptical machine, my right thigh becomes "heavy" and "numb" feeling. That feeling stays for about 20 minutes after exercise.
Those symptoms don't sound like Lyme to me...the neuro thinks I have a metabolic disorder instead.
Does anyone else have anything remotely similar?
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
quote:Originally posted by vachick: I used to get EXTREMELY FATIGUED after exercise but it wouldn't hit me until the next day. That doesn't happen so much anymore; however, that could be because I can't exercise with the same intensity that I could a year ago!
Now I don't feel sick or fatigued, but I have an even more disturbing symptom. If I push my exercise, my muscles go into total pain mode...not cramping, but PAIN. It is like I pulled every muscle in my thighs and calves. The pain stays for three days and nothing makes it better...not even sleep.
The other symptom that is more common is that when I walk long distances or do my elliptical machine, my right thigh becomes "heavy" and "numb" feeling. That feeling stays for about 20 minutes after exercise.
Those symptoms don't sound like Lyme to me...the neuro thinks I have a metabolic disorder instead.
Were you ever on Levaquin ? or any Fluoroquinolones may rarely cause inflammation or even tearing of a tendon (the cord that attaches muscles to bones). If you get sudden pain in a tendon after exercise (for example, in your ankle, back of the knee or leg, shoulder, elbow, or wrist), stop taking the fluoroquinolone and check with your doctor . Rest and do not exercise until the doctor has made sure that you have not injured or torn the tendon.
The muscle / tendon pain stayed with me for over a year.and still get although rarely some sore areas after exercize except when I go at it to hard then I hurt because of hard workout. List of some
Fluoroquinolones are available only with a physician's prescription; they are sold in tablet and injectable forms. Examples of these medicines are moxifloxacin (Avelox), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), enoxacin (Penetrex), gatifloxacin (Tequin), and sparfloxacin (Zagam).
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
No, when I originally experienced these symptoms I wasn't diagnosed yet.
Then I went on abx and still had the leg heaviness/numbness in my right thigh.
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
quote:Originally posted by vachick: No, when I originally experienced these symptoms I wasn't diagnosed yet.
Then I went on abx and still had the leg heaviness/numbness in my right thigh.
Lyme gave me the leg heavyness and muscle aches for along time.
How long have you been on abxs ? If its it hasnt been very long like a year or more it takes time too stop and also reverse nerve damage caused by lyme.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Tree, I have only been on abx for 5 weeks the first time (Biaxin and Omnicef), and now on second week of Ketek after a three week break.
I just don't understand why it happens in just my right thigh. If it was in both legs equally I would think it was perhaps caused by Lyme.
Posts: 331 | From virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Lyme seems to get magnified in area's that may have been injured previously. Any weekend area lyme will show up there usually quicker because it dosent have to do the damage all by itself. It has a head start so to speak. Or maybe the mylene covering in the area wear the numbness is was its first attacked spot by spirochetes. I know lyme shows up differently in everybody eventially showing lots of symptoms the longer you have had it like everyone else.
My very first symptoms were achey, tingling,numbness tips of fingers, then carpel tunnel all along having varying fevers. Then came some bad joint pain then memory then cognitive abilities went to heck.
The disease has one pattern it mimics everything.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Im getting ready to start up exercising again. My dr says exercising in light amounts can indeed cause herxheimer reactions. Your body heats up and the Lyme doesn't like that, so it starts to die off.
At least thats what he tells me. Anyone ever feel worse after a hot bath or shower? He says same thing is happening.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
my primary exercise is some walking. not as much lately because of herxing.
treepatrol - because of levaquin for a month, had ligament pain which i thought was a herx, but now know it was from the levaquin.
my llmd took me off of the levaquin because several of her patients (not others in a large practice) had tendonitis associated with levaquin useage.
since being off of it, i have practically no pain in the back of my ankle. must of been the drug.
anyway, spained my ankle because of being stiff with the "tendonitis" and now after several weeks, am finally ready to exercise once again. arrggggggghhhhh!!
just hate feeling out of sorts while attempting to do anything physical, but if i have no excuse!!
i'll have to take it easy.
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I went home, took a bath and took a 1 hour nap.
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