Workouts & Chronic Illness & Chronic Excuses too!

As many of you know I have chronic Lyme and neurological Lyme. I have not been excersising regularly in years I am ashamed to say. For a long time it was becasue i couldn't walk - I was homebound. I couldn't get to the kitchen let alone to the gym. I also have had multiple shoulder surgeries - old rowing injuries exacerbated after I got hit by a drunk driver. (Don't drink and drive people!) Then it was my back. For 2 years I saw every back specialist I could find in New York City. I had epidurals and was on enough pain meds to kill a pony. After I had gallbladder surdery and bile duct surgery - which is more common for people with Lyme then most of us realize - the agonizing and ceaseless back pain finally stopped. No more pain meds - no more excuses either. I have tried a few times to get into a routine. I was a Division I athlete for goodness sakes. I worked out 25 hrs a week and raced all over the country on the weekends. But it's hard to get back into it especially when you feel like a "has been". I know what I was capable of 12 yrs ago so walking for 30 minutes doesn't appeal to me. I've always been an all or nothing kind of girl. 

But walking for 30 minutes is better then doing nothing right? So anyone else out there battle chronic illness or injury or just chronically busy lives? Anyone interested in being my battle buddy. This will be a battle - making it a routine will be hard work much like changing my diet has been these last 11 months. But I am 32 and not in chronic pain. I know I am looking at more Lyme treatments in the future and I pray it won't involve IV antibiotics. IV's and labwork are major phobias of mine that seem to have gotten worse, not better with the dozens of hospital trips and all the bloodwork that's been done. I figure this is the time. I see my Doctor this week and will make sure there's no reason she can find that I am unable to start excersising. If that's the case I'd love some support from my readers and friends. Anytime you make lifestyle it's hard work. Believe me I have made quite a few this past year. But I have stayed out of the hospital for 11 months and counting. I am having what I call a Riff Raff Thanksgiving bash in my new place to celebrate 1 yr sans hospital and there will be plenty of vegetarian, vagan, and gluten free foods to tantalize our tastebuds. Of course we are doing an organic Turkey from a local farm too - I eat meat a few times a year still. 

Exercise and chronic disease: Get the facts (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-chronic-disease/MY02165)

If you have a chronic condition, you might have questions about exercising. How often can you exercise? Which exercises are safe? Understand the basics about exercise and chronic disease.

By Mayo Clinic staff
If you have a chronic disease — such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or back or joint pain — exercise can have important health benefits. However, it's important to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine. He or she might have advice on what exercises are safe and any precautions you might need to take while exercising.

Find out what you need to know about exercise and chronic disease.
How can exercise improve a chronic condition?

If you have a chronic condition, regular exercise can help you manage symptoms and improve your health.

For example:

Heart disease. Strength training can improve muscle strength and endurance, make it easier to do daily activities, and slow disease-related declines in muscle strength.
Diabetes. Regular exercise can help insulin more effectively lower your blood sugar level. Physical activity can also help you control your weight and boost your energy.
Asthma. Often, exercise can help control the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Back pain. Regular low-impact aerobic activities can increase strength and endurance in your back and improve muscle function. Abdominal and back muscle exercises (core-strengthening exercises) help reduce symptoms by strengthening the muscles around your spine.
Arthritis. Exercise can reduce pain, help maintain muscle strength in affected joints and reduce joint stiffness.
What exercises are safe?

Your doctor might recommend specific exercises to reduce pain or build strength. Depending on your condition, you might also need to avoid certain exercises altogether or during flare-ups. In some cases, you might need to consult a physical or occupational therapist before starting to exercise.

If you have low back pain, for example, you might choose low-impact aerobic activities, such as walking and swimming. These types of activities won't strain or jolt your back.

If you have exercise-induced asthma, you might choose activities that involve short bursts of activity — such as tennis or baseball. If you use an inhaler, be sure to keep it handy while you exercise.

If you have arthritis, the exercises that are best for you will depend on the type of arthritis and which joints are involved. Work with your doctor or a physical therapist to create an exercise plan that will give you the most benefit with the least aggravation on your joints.

How often, how much and at what intensity can I safely exercise?

Before starting an exercise routine, it's important to talk to your doctor about how long your exercise sessions can be and what level of intensity is safe for you.

If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually. Ask your doctor what kind of exercise goals you can safely set for yourself as you progress.


CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST:

Regular exercise can help you control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease, and strengthen your bones and muscles. But if you haven't exercised for some time and you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

When to check with your doctor (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00059)

Although moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, is safe for most people, health experts suggest that you talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program if any of the following apply:

• You have heart disease.
• You have asthma or lung disease.
• You have diabetes, or liver or kidney disease.
• You have arthritis.

You should also check with your doctor if you have symptoms suggestive of heart, lung or other serious disease, such as:

• Pain or discomfort in your chest, neck, jaw or arms during physical activity
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness
• Shortness of breath with mild exertion or at rest, or when lying down or going to bed
• Ankle swelling, especially at night
• A heart murmur or a rapid or pronounced heartbeat
• Muscle pain when walking upstairs or up a hill that goes away when you rest

Finally, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that you see your doctor before engaging in vigorous exercise if two or more of the following apply:

• You're a man older than age 45 or a woman older than age 55.
• You have a family history of heart disease before age 55.
• You smoke or you quit smoking in the past six months.
• You haven't exercised for three months or more.
• You're overweight or obese.
• You have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• You have impaired glucose tolerance, also called prediabetes.

According to Dr. Raj Patel "Exercise offers many benefits in the treatment of Chronic Lyme disease.  The treatment of lyme and its coinfections (regardless of the modality used i.e. antibiotics, herbs, rife, etc.) results in a significant load of toxic byproducts in the tissues and lymphatic system.  These byproducts include remnants of dead bacteria as well as the heavy metals and chemicals being released as the Lyme load is reduced.  The body mounts an inflammatory immune response to these bacterial remnants which is responsible for the well known "Herxheimier's reaction."  Exercise, through increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, enables the body to more quickly and efficiently rid itself of these substances, and thereby reduce the length and intensity of the Herx reactions.

Another potential benefit of exercise, when done correctly, is that it can raise your core body temperature, and thereby aid in eradicating these infections.  We know from research that borrelia, the Lyme bacteria, thrives in certain areas of the body like the sinuses, collagen tissue underneath the skin, and joints and ligaments due to their scarce blood flow and lower temperature.  Proper exercise enables one to raise his core body temperature for a sustained period of time.  We strongly recommend patients engage in exercise utilizing weights." (http://www.drrajpatel.net/index.php/lymediseasev/exerciseandlymediseasev)

So I hope to hear back from some of you in the comments section of my blog & and inspiration can provide will be much appreciated. I promise once I get the go ahead I will do 30 mins or more of brisk walking (I used to make fun of those women)
and some physical therapy for kicks too! For now just remember we are better off then many many many others even with this crappy disease and for that we have to be grateful. Ever day of this year has been an accomplishment for me, even the heinous ones. I have in myself and I have faith in all of you too. WE GOT THIS! Have a happy and healthy day & y'all come back now you hear? PEACE, Audrey