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Exercise causing increase in symptoms?

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Posted 1/8/2017 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
So last week I decided to do the DNA Connexions Lyme Panel test and they tell you to exercise 30 minutes before I guess to get the bugs to come out and play and get in your urine to improve chances of a positive result. So I went for a good run and did some strength training for about 45 minutes. Next day I felt completely horrible my usual symptoms were far worse and lasted well over 2 days.

Fast forward to this past week I decided to take up some weightlifting again. Nothing real heavy but worked my shoulders, biceps, triceps chest and a few push ups. So that night into the next day I felt really crappy again like last week.

So question is does exercise bring about worse symptoms for people? It sure seemed to for me. I think what's happening is you are shaking out the bugs from their little hiding places deep in tissue and such and if you are taking killing agents there will be more to kill and you'll get a bigger herx.

Thoughts?
Posted 1/8/2017 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely it does.. It's been proven and said on here many times that when we are sick, particularly with this having our immune system so stressed, that exercise should be undertaken lightly since it puts an additional burden on our body.


I don't know that it's killing them so much as weakening our immune system so it is loosing it's grip on its battle.

Consider it a game of arm wrestling with the bacteria. Your arm trying to beat the bacteria's 'arm' down suddenly gets weight put on top of it, which makes your arm tire and begin to lose the match.


I was going to use the game, "tug of war" for my example, until I got to the point of adding the extra weight to your side, and realized the bacteria, etc., would probably have just as much trouble winning trying to pull the extra weight too. I just added that as a little humor to my way of thinking.

Post Edited (julymorning) : 1/7/2017 7:45:07 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/8/2017 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
For me, the exercise makes me feel better...but I am not going for a run...just doing a warm up as far as cardiovascular goes....just getting the blood flowing...and then doing my stretches, light weights..therabands...and following up with a warm epsom salt bath.

i doubt if I could go for a run like I used to.
Posted 1/8/2017 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thereabands are good! I have them too, but don't use them like I should.


And once again I am reminded that we're not all at the same place when it comes to being able to exercise.
So, there's that to consider.
Posted 1/8/2017 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
july - i started with the really 'easy' therabands - the yellow ones (I don't know if that's standard that yellow are easier)...and have moved up to red ones now...


I had to get my left arm, shoulder blade area muscles moving...strengthening...etc. and that was the most gentle way to do it.

Yay - full range of motion...and left arm looking very close to my right arm...
Posted 1/8/2017 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
After my shoulder/upper arm reconstruction my surgeon sent me home with a yellow one and another color, which I cannot remember because I never get it out.

It helped me get my range of motion back, but not my muscle strength, not even after using it for almost a year.
Posted 1/8/2017 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
I've found that exercise makes me feel good immediately, but if I do any weight lifting I usually pay the next day. Not just regular sore muscles, much worse pain. I am hoping that the more I do it the better it will get.
Maybe you could start out really slow with a lighter weight and less reps, and only a couple times a week. Then slowly build up to more when you feel up to it.
Posted 1/8/2017 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
evianangel by worse pain are you talng about an increase in symptoms or other type of pain?
Posted 1/8/2017 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
It is not recommended for Lyme patients to do cardio exercise. I think it was to much for your body. Maybe you should do ligher exercise at the moment, and later when you feel better to start running.
Posted 1/8/2017 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Rikky,

I get worse every time I try going back to exercise. If I'm up to taking walks that is fine and doesn't deplete me.

I used to do boot camp exercise with a trainer 4-5x a week and then cardio and then walk to and from the studio. about 2-2.5 hours a day counting the walking. I was healthy, strong, etc...

Then every time I would exercise I would be a mess the next day, like I was getting the flu. I assumed my gym was germy. I would then miss two-three weeks, go back, same thing.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Of course when I was bit in July my LLMD said I had undiagnosed Lyme the entire time and was experiencing exercise intolerance. He said for many that is the first symptom.

Other than walking and trying light weights here and there - I haven't exercised properly in four years. Now I just do restorative yoga and take walks when It's a good day.
Posted 1/8/2017 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
its only until recently that i seemed to of developed this intolerance for exercise. i used to run maybe 45min-1hour 2x a week when i felt well enough during the 2+ years of illness now the last few times i've tried this i've felt horrible. i wonder why that is? is this a sign i'm getting worse or better cause maybe the bugs are out and playing and therefore more impact? who the heck knows.
Posted 1/8/2017 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
That's hard to say.

From personal experience I would say it doesn't mean better.

I get what you are saying - hard to know when to push and when to lie low.

Would love to know the sweet spot where exercise is concerned.

I'm starting again this week. I'm not feeling strong but need to do something.

Because I know I need to go to LLMD office tomorrow, I'm NOT starting today. Just in case...

By the way if you could run 45 min-one hour while having Lyme you are very strong. That's pretty impressive.
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