I've heard that the spirochetes do not like a rise in our body temperature, or oxygen.
Doesn't this mean we should be running our arses off? Exercising like crazy? Trying to increase our body temperature, and oxygen to our muscles, etc?
Just wondering about this theory.
Posts: 69 | From Washington | Registered: Jan 2007
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
This question comes up periodically. You can do a search on "exercise" for more information, by clicking on the small word "search" just below the "post a reply" graphic above.
The short answer is, exercise moderately and see if you can tolerate it. For some of us, exercise raises body temperature, detoxifies through sweating, and promotes endorphins, the "feel good" hormones. Plan an exercise period into the day, knowing that you will probably need an extended rest period afterward.
For others, exercise is too much stress on an overworked body, like trying to work out when you have the flu. For those, it is better to just rest and conserve energy.
Hope that helps, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Prior to being dx. with Lyme, my husband was working
Out everyday....Two to three hours.
Did he sweat!!!!
He also sat in a sauna for at least 20-30 minutes a day.
Then he got tired....Lost his strength he said.
I had been dx. with Lyme in Oct. of last year..
He had an Elisa done along with some testosterone check.
Elisa positive. Western Blot via Igenex...positive for Lyme also.
I can honestly say that at his sickest, he was no way near
As sick as I have been.
Maybe his immune system is stronger....but I believe his
Working out has helped keep those ketes from
Completely dominating his body...
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I think geneal has a good point.
I have worked out for years. I've also taken supplements and eaten healthy. My whole family is into health and fitness, so this was normal to me.
I was exposed to Lyme about 35 years ago and prior to this four year flare up of symptoms, I've only had flare-ups for about 5 or 6 months at a time, then they'd go away on their own.
I continued to lift weights even through the worst of my illness this time. I did have to cut out cardio because of stamina issues. When I added cardio back in too early, it caused me to feel REALLY bad that day (herx).
But I do think that working out has made a huge difference in how my body handled the Lyme. I've been on antibiotics/antiprotozoals since Jan. 20th and I'm up to about 70% on many days from 15%. Overall, I'd give myself a 50%. It seems like such a short time, so it must be the working out.
I lift heavy weights, like the guys do ... three sets of about 8-10 reps of seven exercises, four times per week. Now I've added 15 minutes of cardio to that.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I have experienced two herxheimer like migraines immediately following intense cardio exercise before I was diagnosed officially.
As well, once I was diagnosed and had been treated for awhile I tried running around my house a few times for the first time in ten months. It was the first time in that time period that I had the energy to even try to exercise.
Immediately following I had the chills and lovely babesiosis symtpoms. Their intensity though was indicative of my kind of herxes.
I think it helps but it is a balance between exercising enough cardiovascularly to raise body temperature but not exercising to the point that you are taxing the immune system too much.
Just my opinion and experience ...
-------------------- �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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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Lymied, you are right. Dr. B says in his guidelines that aerobic exercise is not allowed until stamina improves.
Yet he says an hour every other day of strenuous exercise is critical to recovery.
He has a page that addressed this, it's worth re-reading even if you've read it before. I just re-read it and got more out of it!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
90 minutes of strenuous exercise *ugh!* reduces almost ALL of the neurotransmitters!
The blood vessels dilate.
The muscles become depleted of glucose...
Call me lazy, but...I'd rather...do 20 minutes of gentle moving every day...
Yea, I know...more muscle, more mitochondria.
Eventually we all will use our fat stores - Emergency supply of glucose and cholesterol to make our cell walls and replenish the myelin sheath.
But a nice walk in the fresh air and sunshine is so uplifting.
Without smelling forest fires!
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
I agree with Lymied as well. I work on finding that balance daily.
Prior to Lyme I hiked, climbed, played golf and tennis, swam, cycled all the time. I got weaker and weaker until I could barely walk. But, I never stopped exercising. At one point, a walk to the mailbox while holding onto someone's shoulder was all that I could muster. But, I made myself do it.
Much to the dismay of my MD, I do cardio on the days that I feel good. I am wiped the next day. But, we both agree that the chetes hate oxygen so, maybe I am killing them. He just doesn't want me to kill the rest of my body in the process. So, we agree to disagree.
I do yoga every morning and run or cycle a very short distance when I feel pumped. Swimming is great too. I am nowhere near the athlete I was. But, I have to believe it will help in the long run.
For the record, I did a 5k race 2 weeks ago! I was 14th from the bottom of the pack. There were children passing me. But, I felt really accomplished. Being happy is good medicine.
Posts: 1452 | Registered: Feb 2004
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Andie333
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Member # 7370
posted
I like what other people have said about finding a good balance.
Prior to getting really debilitatingly sick, I was walking 3 miles several times a week and swimming a mile two times a week. Then I got to the point where I was too sick to walk across the room, much less several miles.
For my first year of treatment, I just didn't feel compelled to exercise at all. The thought of doing anything like that would exhaust me.
And then gradually, I started walking like Marnie mentioned. The first day, I couldn't get to the end of the block. But each day, I found my stamina increasing gradually...without any negative side- or after-effects. Within a few weeks, I was up to a mile.
I can still do that when I'm not dealiing with the numbness that periodically surfaces in my foot.
For me, the key is moderation and doing this easily. I'm anxious to take a yoga class...just as soon as I have the time and energy.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Before i got sick i was walking two miles a day, hiking, swimming, i was active. Once I got the lyme and it hit my bladder, i just couldnt do it.
Now, I am in physical therapy, and I have to say it is the best thing to happen to me in a long time. I do stretches twice a day, and twice a week i do 13 min on an eliptical.
At first the eliptical was tough, two min and i thought i would die, but my PT had me gradually increase. I felt alive again, sweating, and moving, something i cant do much of with the tight pelvic muscles.
but on the eliptical i am free.
-------------------- "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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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
quote:Originally posted by Kendrick: If this was so, I would have never gotten Lyme to begin with!!!!!!!!!!!
True, me too. However, it doesn't mean it's not a HUGE help in ridding ourselves of it.
I've had symptoms four times, the first three I didn't know what it was. The first three I DID get rid of the symptoms with diet, sunshine and exercise. So, it has to help.
It's just that our bacterial load is too high for it to be enough all on its own.
And I seem to be healing quickly this time around with the help of antibiotics. I really think being in shape contributes.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Before I got in this super bed ridden condition, exercise was a cure for me had I continued it. 5 years ago I was in the gym for 6-7 hours a day, swimming was the best exercise to hit the lyme. I was too weak to swim fully so I used the boards too hold on to and kciked and slowly trained. I did not do any aerobics. I did weights, sitting down. working the inner and outer thighs and also doing sit ups. The lyme was dying . I think had I added flagyl or another cysts buster while doing this , I would have been cured, I also did hot saunas before hitting the pool.
Dr B says the pool is not good for lyme b/c it makes you cold. But really when you enter the water you hetaing mechanism turns on to stay warm and swimming far will get you warm like an oven. Then I would go into the sauna room and sweat it off.
Unfortunately for me, I had to go to school in the fall.........and stopped exercising with a huge relapse.
After the year I went downhill to where I am today. If you wanna do it, committ and it ia trully amazing, good luck Lynne
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