I "gradually exercised" based on what I read - not because you won't get better but the recommendation is to keep your blood moving, sweating is very beneficial for detoxing, and a few other specific reasons. However, this is usually very narrowly discussed, even amongst MDs.
Let's put it into context:
fatigue for 'other' people -
You're tired when you wake up, need a few more cups of coffee than normal, would prefer to veg out in front of the TV after work than meeting up w/ your sister for a martini to talk about
her crazy boss… and you accidentally go to bed w/out setting out the chicken to thaw.
exhaustion for people treating Lyme & Co -
You feel like you did not sleep at all, no energy or strength to hold arms above head to wash hair, can't stand in the kitchen long enough to make a meal, etc.
adrenal fatigue -
fatigue issues above compounded by psychological stress from work, stress from finances, stress with kids, stress from in-laws, stress stress stress. And combine this with physiological stress from being in pain, to eating enough, headaches, weird bowel movements, etc...
adrenal exhaustion -
Combine all of the above with adrenals just wearing out, herxing into a dark hole, your immune system suffers, your treatment suffers, life isn't good.
When I first started treatment, due do severe hip joint pain I couldn't walk but was able to ride a bike and tried to get on my bike at least every other day. I found that I could do this some of the time. And other times it would wipe me out for a couple days… I kept trying and people would warn me - if you don't feel good after you are active, you are overwhelming your system as it's trying to fight something and/or adrenals are trying to get you to slow down.
And only after a few real serious crashes (that added months to my tx), did I finally get the message. I finally stopped doing everything (exercising, cleaning, preparing meals) and months later my response to treatment started to improve. So much that, in wee little increments, I'm now exercising again… enjoying my showers… feeding myself more than soup... Quite a few similar stories on this forum.
And the key is that… even when you start feeling better, you still need to go slower, do less. So many times I and others overestimate what we are 'ready' for and undo a lot of good with a simple crash.
In our world, yes, it's good to exercise only if you feel good/better afterwards. If it makes you feel tired or exacerbates your sx, you should stop immediately. Get a little more treatment under your belt, try to fit in more detox, try to get more sleep… and only then, try a little more activity.
Gauge your permission to be active by the way it makes you feel afterwards… it will get better.Stiffness -
This is also a good question. Astroman is pretty well-versed with muscle issues. I was also staying more active because I read it was a better way to avoid stiffness. I think this is probably true for 'other' people. Might even be true for us… but it also wore me out to try to combat any stiffness. I finally gave into it - yes, I'm sore today and stiff. It's more important that I let my body rest. Eventually the stiffness improved, too.
-p
Post Edited (Pirouette) : 4/16/2017 3:33:58 PM (GMT-6)