I wanted to bring this subject up because ever since i've had lyme disease i am unable to exerscise because i become very dizzy and numb. I am only 20 years old and it hurts me so bad that i can't even handle walking a half a mile around my block.
I used to love dancing, now i cannot because my legs will get heavy and i'll get overheated quickly and feel like i will pass out but i never do.
I have no muscle mass what so ever and im gaining weight, i want to exerscise but im always too scared to because i know how i'll feel during/afterwords.
I was wondering if anyone else had this problem. Right now im on treatment im on my 4th day of rocephin 2 grams and vancomycin 1 gram.. let me tell ya its kickin my butt. I know i shouldnt exerscise at the moment and the main thing is to rest, but i dont know how to get my body to tolerate exerscing anymore.
I hope to hear from you guys about this and your experiences and i need advice on how to build myself back up again.
There is one more thing i need to ask. Something weird happens to me only after i take a nap, when im waking up and im walking around i get these jolts in my head sort of shock like things, its scary and its annoying and i dont know why it happens. Maybe a part of having neurological lyme?
This disease can be so depressing.. for some odd reason i cant be positive about anything.
Thats all i have to say.
korinne
Posts: 6 | From Pocono's, PA | Registered: Feb 2006
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
Hi there!
I can understand your frustration about exercising VERY MUCH. I have been an on and off athlete with diagnosed Lyme since 1991.
You WILL get better. And when you are feeling better, you will be able to exercise.
Right now is just not the time. I know it is scary and sad and depressing, but you REALLLLY should not push it, especially with IV ABX and neuro lyme.
Give yourself a time line...like say "I wont push myself or be angry at myself for NOT exercising or feeling this way until......________"
I would say at LEAST 4 months, like until mid summer. After four months, re-evaluate. You might be a LOT better by then and not feel so badly about yourself and your abilities.
Between now and then you might just push yourself to walk across the room everyday or to the mailbox. But not much more than that is needed right now. You WILL be doing MUCH more when you are well.
You are barely beginning this long road--think of it as a marathon....slow and steady will win this race. Do NOT push yourself at the beginning.
And about those head shocks---I had them badly when I was on IV rocephin. It is some Major intensity going on with that drug. I also had them in my spine....like an electric jolt...sometimes I would see lightening too! Tell your doc if it is worrying you. I think it is "normal" but anything you dont feel comfortable with you should tell your doc about.
And write down this and all symptoms so you can keep track of what comes and what goes and what just keeps hanging on.
It gets VERY confusing...new symptoms appear, other symptoms go away, and are replaced by stranger ones and then some just stay steady.
Wishing you the best, Trails
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Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Hi, Stella, and welcome. I agree with trails. You are sick right now, and need rest more than anything. You wouldn't expect yourself to exercise while you have the flu -- think of this as the same thing, only more long-term.
Here's a recent thread on exercise, when you're ready:
I know it's hard to imagine getting your former body and lifestyle back, but it can happen! Just take it slow.
Regards, Shaz (back to teaching dance and gymnastics 15 hours a week, plus my other 15 hour a week job at the library....)
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
thank you both for your replies.. i really appriciate it. i'll probably start trying to build myself back up after im done with treatment since im going to be a lifegaurd. lol.
Posts: 6 | From Pocono's, PA | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Hi Stella, Exercise is supposed to help us, but when we are unable to do it, it's so depressing.
Before starting treatment I was a regular walker. Now my legs are very weak, and it's a challenge just walking around my yard.
May I suggest...are you able to do any gentle yoga? I used to love doing yoga, but right now it's difficult.
I may do a few yoga stretches, not a real routine or workout, but, it does feel good. Poses can be modifed to your needs.
If you are not even strong enough for that, I suggest qigong. I took a class last year, and really loved it. Now, I'm modifiying what I learned so that I can do it seated.
In fact, just saw on the news tonight (local) how qigong is being used with elderly people in nursing homes, seated in wheelchairs. It improves range of motion and helps with mood and cognition.
Depending on where you live you may be able to find a class for people with chronic illness, or a tape or DVD. I'm big on checking my local library to borrow such tapes to see if I like them before buying.
It's also important to get the lymph moving, and yoga or qigong can do that gently.
Hope you feel better soon. Hopeful4
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
Stella, I forgot to mention "Sit and be Fit". It's a daily show on PBS stations. A woman leads you through some gentle exercises while seated, and offers modifications, too. She has some tapes out also.
Good luck.
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
If you are so ill that you are unable to exercise, take CoQ10 supplements. We MAKE this enzyme when we exercise IF we have the nutrients to make it.
Personally, I would take 200mg 3x/day.
Sorry, it's expensive. GNC does carry the 200mg doses. If you get on their plan...the 1st week of every month, you get a 10% discount...helps a little.
A tai-chi video...anything gentle and slow...just keep moving as much as possible.
A while back, it was not recommended to take CoQ10 when on Mepron because it caused a particular pathogen to mutate...one, only one, medical abstract pointed to this.
Not logical...since we normally MAKE this enzyme ourselves when we exercise.
Here's some additional research to "exercise" your mind:
Atovaquone (also called Mepron, or 566C80) is a napthoquinone used for the treatment of infections caused by pathogens such as Plasmodium spp. and Pneumocystis carinii. The mechanism of action against the malarial parasite is the inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHOD), a consequence of blocking electron transport by the drug.
As an analog of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q [CoQ]), atovaquone
irreversibly binds to the mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex; thus, electrons are not able to pass from dehydrogenase enzymes via CoQ to cytochrome.
(Definition of: analog A representation of an object that resembles the original.)
I know the feeling. I was getting in great shape rowing when I then got ill. I haven't exercised in almost two years other then walking.
Last week after a year and a half of intense antibiotic therapy I finally have started rowing again
This is huge for me because I was so fatigued and sick two years ago I could barely walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded or having to sit down.
Just keep on target with your treatment and try not to beat yourself up for not being able to exercise. Do a little as you can. I started out just walking to the end of my driveway.
I wear a heart monitor now and only exercise when my husband is home in case my heart decides to have its tachardia. Sometimes I feel sad as I pull on that rowing machine and look at my split (time, speed, distance) and realize how good I once was...but then I realize I never appreciated the fact that I can even do it at all...
I got those shocking thunder bolts in my head...as well I would wake up from a nap and my scalp would be completely asleep.
I would get tested for Babesia if you haven't already through IgeneX with the FISH test. My whole blood serum test was negative for babesia but the FISH test they did was extremely positive. It picks up more strains.
I just felt that the lightening bolt pains for me were babs. As well, I had severe fatigue in my muscles...they felt like they just couldn't even work...especially my thighs...that went away quickly for me with babs treatment.
Take care and you will exercise again. Just take it easy and be good to yourself...
-------------------- �Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.� - Ezre Taft Benson Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
hey hopeful
I got the video "sit & be fit: it is an excellant tape
but I am so lazy & tired lately I haven't used it yet.
Yikes. Better get moving before I lose all my muscle tone.
Stella: You sound like you are in intensive treatment right now and maybe while you are herxing from your IV & meds you could just rest.
I know its depressing but it will get better. This is only temporary and over time it will get easier and you will get stronger. Hang in there
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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