posted
I was just diagnosed on Saturday (nov. 15th) that I have lyme disease, based on the rash I have on my thigh. The rash appeared on nov. 9th and has continued to grow and is EXTREMELY itchy and irritated. I never saw a tick and I am good about checking after being in the outdoors, which is frequently.
I noticed that when I exercised the other day that the rash seemed to be irritated by the activity. I am worried that I am going to facilitate the spread of the disease if I get my heart rate up.
Does anyone know if I should stop exercising???? This is important b/c my job requires me to hike mountains and my heart rate is up a lot!
Posts: 2 | From Tennessee | Registered: Nov 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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I typed all that below and went back to see if I answered all your questions and saw you last line: " This is important b/c my job requires me to hike mountains and my heart rate is up a lot"
Oh.
You need to talk to your doctor about this.
If you are already strong, that might be okay. However, with an infection, aerobic exercise can damage the heart. (I'll hunt for the article on that and post the link.)
If you had a sprained ankle, you'd have to make adjustments in your job. So, your LLMD (be sure it is a LLMD, though) can help you figure out what adjustments you need to make so that you can fully recover.
There have been a few people who though extreme exercise helped them. While it's important to study the recipes of those who have done well, usually the opposite happens. Therefore, expert advise is best.
Oh, you don't have to say but, I wonder, what kind of job is this? Testing running shoes ?
Take care.
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According to a top lyme expert, Aerobic exercised is not advised until you get better. Gentle exercise is.
Walking, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, if you already ride a bike, maybe a slow ride around the block if you are feeling up to it . . . .
If exercise causes "pay-back" in extreme fatigue that is too much. If exercise irritates anything, that is too much.
However, movement is vital. It's the speed that can make or break progress. Some say "don't break a sweat" . . . others say "don't get your heart rate up too much" . . . and that is why walking is the best.
But, remember that it seems we don't have that internal cue as to when to stop. We may have a burst of energy and then feel like our old selves for a while and then, after we'd jogged to the other side of town, hit the wall and have to call a cab or, quite literally, have to crawl home. That does damage and can create a set-back of weeks or months.
There have been entire threads about this. You can search above.
But, also, ask your doctor. Each patient is different.
Some people really like a "rebounder" or "mini-trampoliine" - for LIGHT bouncing to get lymph moving -- If you have no inner ear problem.
Lifting light/medium weights can help with strength and that will not put the strain on a heart if done wisely.
Good luck.
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[ 17. November 2008, 12:54 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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Baking up, I see this is your first post. Welcome.
You said you were just dx days ago.
Did you also get assessed for coinfections?
Given your current job, I assume that you were feeling fine up until the time this rash appeared ?
What sort of treatment plan on you on?
Were you able to see a LLMD? Is s/he an ILADS member or have they read ILADS research?
Do you need any other information or are you all set?
Oh, be sure to take a few photographs of the rash - with a clean coin or ruler near it for dimension. This may be important if you see another doctor after the rash is gone. This should go in your file and you should always keep one copy.
As for itching, you might try Califlora Calendula gel. Avoid any petroleum products.
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[ 17. November 2008, 01:04 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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[Post-polio expert] Dr. [Richard] Bruno points out that physical over-activity is the biggest cause of post-polio symptoms. [3] (See Dr. Bruno's "Fainting and Fatigue" in the Spring 1996 CFIDS Chronicle -
Excerpt: . . . ``when mice infected with Coxsackie B3 were forced to swim in a warm pool, the virulence of the virus was drastically augmented.
In fact, viral replication was augmented 530 times. This did horrendous things to the animals' hearts. We all know that to play squash with the flu can lead to heart attacks. Much the same danger can be courted by undertaking hard exercise with M.E. (CFS). . . . ''
[ poster's interjection: As we all know, CFS is often a mix of undiagnosed infections, including lyme. Ticks can carry infections other than lyme, too.]
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This is for "chronic" lyme. Early lyme, may vary.
Dr. B: "Aerobics are not allowed until nearly fully recovered."
TREATING CHRONIC LYME DISEASE
J. J. Burrascano, MD April 24, 2004 outlined section:
. ENFORCED REST; NO CAFFEINE
- Must try to prevent afternoon energy sags
- Proper sleep is essential
. REHAB AND EXERCISE PROGRAM
- Required for a full recovery
- Intermittent program one to three days per week
- Toning, stretching, posture, balance
- Aerobics are not allowed until nearly fully recovered
posted
Thank you for all the information you provided!
Gosh, I don't really know where to begin. I am just at the begining. I don't have a doctor who specializes in LD! I have been searching, but none of them take my insurance and I can't afford what the one's i have spoken with are asking.
I have taken lot's of pics of my rash. I have been FORTUNATE b/c I haven't had any other symptoms yet...maybe a little lethargic and some sleep deprivation. I think I started on the Minoclycine in pretty good time ~7 days after the rash appeared.
I have hope that I will be okay, but I know only time will tell.
It will be hard for me to not exercise, as this in both my job (i'm a park ranger) and my livelyhood. But I want to do everything I can to allow this first round of antibiotics to do its job.
I will check out the links, papers, and books you have suggested.
Thank you
Posts: 2 | From Tennessee | Registered: Nov 2008
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adamm
Unregistered
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Are you on 400 mg/doxy per day? If not, you need to get on it NOW and continue it for 3 months. Anything less has been proven to be inadequate. You also need to make an appointment with a doctor who follows the protocols of the ILADS (rather than the IDSA) for follow-up care.
Sorry to have to break it to you, but the state of affairs with Lyme is, in all spheres, as bad as it could possibly be. There's been a huge amount of misinformation spread by corrupt public health authorities, and as a result, 99.9% of doctors have no clue how to properly treat the condition.
Seriously, you must do whatever it takes to make sure you can get the proper care! I began taking 200mg/day 5 days after my bite and continued for a month; and now, at the ripe old age of 19, I'm progressing, apparently unstoppably, towards dementia.
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Keebler
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ttaabbee ,
I hope you can find the treatment you need. If you can't find it, you will have to treat yourself somehow, even if all you can do is garlic or certain supplements, you have to do something. This window of opportunity is the most important of your life.
The tread below can help with a couple other books, etc. There are various paths but just hoping it will be okay is very risky.
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