How much exercise is OK?

[CMcH]

I just started TX 2 weeks ago and I don't feel to bad. My NP told me to cont. with my usual activities. She knows I run,, do Pilates and Zumba while working a very physical job. I am not working right now due to Family leave for my mother and have only done these activities lately about 3-4 x's a week.
My Question is should I keep  active while I can or should I be resting more to allow the TX to work?
It seems most of the people I have read about that had few sides, they don't achieve SVR.

[merryBe]

wow, I thought you had treated you always know bunches of stuff!!!

well, what I read was the additional conversion to glycogen is a net negative to the overall balance.
In other words, even though excersise will help you cardiovascularly, and to produce more of your own HGH which aides the liver to make new cells, and HGH tells the marrow to make more blood cells..

well even though excersise helps you to make more of this a night...the amount of additional stress that is caused by having to convert all that additional food into gycogen puts the liver under a net loss on the stress factor scale.
In other words, your liver can not keep up with the demand while under the additional stress of the tx drugs. the drugs tend to lower everyones ability to carry oxygen, this is your HGB number...as your red cell count goes down so does your ability to oxygenate each cell. Putting the cells under stress in this environment can lead to muscle death.
Whenever your repairs cannot keep pace with the breakdown, that's what occurs. Excersise does cause muscle breakdown, plain and simple.

So the idea is, less can be more. Don't leave off entirely, but cut back and listen to your body. Don't push it while it is dealing with major chemicals, major toxicity, let the energies go into fighting this virus and repair the liver....not spent up on trying to repair so many hamstrings and biceps etc.
like someone said...google it, and also google liver metabolism and muscle repair to get an idea of what all is involved.
keep remembering you'll be able to return to activity once treatment is over....it's hard to give up what you enjoy, but it's not forever. The main thing is to know that there exists the possibility of doing more harm than good by a stringent workout regime because the normal rules of "what's good for you" don't apply while on chemotherapy or with liver disease.
take care.
MB

[dranurag]

I play lawn tennis for 1-2 sets daily. Is it ok?

[fretboard]

I couldn't find anything specific to exercising while on tx, but I'm sure it would be good in moderation.  Of course I'm sure it's already been suggested to talk to your healtcare person and I think you said you did.  You must be feeling pretty well or at least you don't want to break your excercise stride and that's always a plus.  Just keep in mind that working out too much isn't good for anyone.  God Bless

EXERCISE FOR THOSE WITH LIVER DISEASE
Regular exercise is an important component necessary to combat liver disease. This isn't
something that can be read in any medical textbook or taught in medical school
classrooms. This may explain why most liver doctors don't realize how important
exercise can be to maintaining their patients' health. People who are in good shape and
who exercise on a regular basis not only feel better, but often respond more positively to
medical treatment. People do not have to do a lot of exercise in order to reap the benefits.
Nor does it pay to overdo it. The main thing is simply to get going. Regular exercise will
increase energy levels, decrease stress on the liver, and, in many cases, even delay the
onset of certain complications associated with liver disease. For people with liver
disease, it is crucial to consult with a doctor before beginning any type of exercise
program. The benefits of exercising are numerous. First, exercise gives people a general
sense of well-being and improved self-image. It is a known fact that if a person feels well
mentally, her immune system will be stronger and give her that extra edge needed to fight
disease.
Second, as previously discussed, exercising gives a person a boost of energy. Fatigue is
probably the most common and one of the most bothersome symptoms that plagues
people with liver disease. Many people with liver disease frequently feel like they don't
have enough energy to make it across the room, let alone around the block. However, the
best way to fight this seemingly relentless exhaustion is to exercise. Yes, this may seem
like a vicious cycle, but most people find that it actually works. In part, fatigue may have
to do with the fact that both the heart and the liver are working overtime to keep a good
supply of filtered blood circulating throughout the body. Adding a regular exercise
routine enables both organs to work more efficiently. Eventually, this will boost energy
levels. While most people find it tough going at first, they eventually realize that the
benefits are worth it.
Third, exercise improves cardiovascular function. As the body gets stronger and more
aerobically fit, the cardiovascular system will be able to work more efficiently. Less
effort will be required of the heart to pump blood to the liver and other body organs. Less
effort on the heart equals stronger cardiovascular function and an increased overall
energy level for a person with liver disease. It is extremely important to attempt to do
some exercise while on interferon treatment, as this will decrease the fatigue, irritability,
and depression often associated with this medication.
Fourth, exercise results in a reduction of total body fat. While nearly everyone knows that
being overweight places a great deal of stress on the heart, most people don't realize that
it also makes it harder for the liver to do its job. When total body fat is reduced, fat
content in the liver is simultaneously reduced. This often results in a significant reduction
of elevated liver enzymes, no matter what the underlying liver disorder may be. Eating
right and getting plenty of exercise is probably the slowest way to lose weight known to
humanity, but it's also the safest. That's especially true for people with liver disease.
Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is also the best way to keep from
regaining the weight.
Copyright 2000 by Melissa Palmer

[Trish77]

When I started tx, I was still running, trying to keep everything as "normal" as possible.  Some feedback I got on running during early stages of treatment at that time:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/452191?post_id=post_2594743

You have to go to nearly the bottom of that thread to get to it.  

It was suggested to me by others as well that especially in the early stages - first four weeks of treatment in particular - to give the bulk of my energies over to the drugs.  My own decision was to stop running and revert to walking at least until I got to UND.  That was MY decision.

A number of sites that talk about dealing with sides and treatment definitely recommend exercise - moderate activity.  Walking, swimming, yoga, etc.  

I have no idea what is moderate for YOU.   I also don't want to be an alarmist here.  I just happen to be in the camp that thinks give your best energies to fighting the virus in the early stages.  

I also know how hard it is to get started once you've stopped.  Even walking fell by the wayside for me lately but that's almost more of a scheduling thing.  I walked to work again yesterday and it felt great so I'll try and get back in the swing of that again.  The mental energy from physical exercise is also very important.  It's finding that balance that works for each of us.  I wish you good luck in finding yours and I'm glad treatment is going well for you so far.  Just roll with what comes your way.

Trish

[bandman54]

Can't remember where I read this , but there have been studies done that show you can exercise too much during tx... I know that sounds weird, but it can happen.

I think I saw this on a site called-
http://hcvsupport.org

just do a search for exercise.

bandman

[CMcH]

Thank you for your feedback. I know from past experience that once I stop it is very hard to get it back. I felt great this AM and told my husband that I felt like running. Now that it is almost 6 and I have taken one twin to gymnastics while the other went to swim team. I barely have enough energy to make dinner let alone running. I'm starting to get a HA so I should probably drink more H20. I should plan to run earlier in the day when I have more energy. When you lay down it is all over with. It is like quicksand getting back up. I  think I upset my stomach with gummy worms. Yep it must of been the gummy worms that wiped me out!

[Bobby1952]

   I think Hector said it all. While on tx I worked out with weights vigorously for the first 3 months then I listed to my body and I had to stop because the anemia was causing Tachcardia ( irregular hearetbeat ).
  It scared me so I stopped for the last 3 months of tx. Workout as much as you can. If your body can't do it anymore it will tell you. At that point cut back. I wish that I had cut back instead of stopping because it has taken me a while to get used to it again.
  Just listen to your body.

Bobby

[Marcia2202]

I must agree with Hector. Listen to your body and don't push yourself too hard. Don't feel bad when you can't do it either. Rest when you need to and work out when you can or feel like it.

Good luck with tx. Marcia

[HectorSF]

Glad to hear you are doing so well!

I would say do what you can do. While you can do it.
Since your in such good shape you know how to listen to your body. I think your body will let you know when it needs a break.

During treatment I would just run into a brick wall at times. I learned I would have to kick back at that point because I was on Empty. Nothing left inside. Fatigued beyond my control. With no second wind to be found.

Hope you will have a easier ride than I did.

Keep up the good work!!!
Hector

[Trinity4]

Sx don't have anything to do with whether you reach SVR or not.  People react differently and there is no gauge. Some people breeze through and others suffer.  I've read many posts where those who achieved SVR didn't have that hard of a time during tx.  You're very early into tx and your body is going to let you know what you can and can't do.  I started out not changing a thing, sx were tolerable so I pushed on.  I work everyday and in the evenings I would walk my dog about 2 miles.  I'm older than you so working and running my household was about as much as I could do even before tx.  I did work out 3 x a week but gave that up before tx as well.  As I enter my 10th week, things have changed.  I am extremely tired most of the time and run low grade fevers.  I've had to adjust my lifestyle according to what I can do instead of what I would like to do.  We have a pool and I love to swim but I have had no desire this season.  My platelets dropped and so did my ANC so I just didn't have the energy anymore.  Fortunately I'm coming back around but I don't think you will have the energy to be as active as you progress with tx.  Yes, rest is very important for your body and your mental health.  I don't advocate anyone becoming sedentary but some people have to because they are so ill.  It will depend on your metabolism and again it's very important to listen to what your body is telling you.  That's been my experience -  good luck with your tx.
Trinity

[mar148]

I did not hear of any bad side effects from working out if you are up for it.  As time goes on you may get short of breath and fatigued more and it could slow you down.  I did keep up my workouts, a little slowed down and not as frequently. I think individuals react differently really.  

[daniel2u]

Last time I did the treat I felt pretty good after the anemia was under control.  I did have agitation issues and I walked 5- miles  a day.  I told my doctor I was doing this and he had no problem with it.  I think keeping in shape would certainly help with self esteem issues, health issues, anxiety and agitation issues. I am working now and don't have  a enough time to walk like I did or I would.  Walking is very time consuming.
Pax
Daniel