Exercise (Again)
 

Before posting, I have to admit that I am a little embarrassed and ashamed to be taking up everyone's time with my insignificant little problems. Every time I log on to NeuroTalk and hit "New Posts," I read of fellow members who are in real pain and suffering, while I am not there yet at all. It puts my situation in some perspective and, I hope, prepares me for when things worsen for me.

Anyway, two weeks ago I joined a gym. This is after a two year hiatus. That is to say that I have not been working out since my diagnosis. I seem to be tolerating the exertion pretty well, although my feet and legs hurt noticeably more. I can't tell exactly if this is due to the exercise or to the warmer weather in my area.

Maybe other members who are exercising could add their experiences to this thread. :)

I'm a believer in positive attitude, self-fulfilling prophecy, etc. because I've seen it work in my own life and the lives/situations of those around me.

So how 'bout, "prepares me for IF things worsen for me"? ;) I know it seems like a nitpicky little thing, but in the mind the effect can be more insidious and reinforce subconscious attitudes & behaviors. :)

As mentioned previously, we've been doing a Tai Chi routine. For a time after exercising, I hurt noticeably more, but after a while, that dissipates and I feel better overall and have slightly more energy to do more, which is slowly increasing. I've been too sedentary for too long, and I actually welcome these feelings because I know it's good for me and helping me heal. Slow & steady.

Doc

I had to be very careful with some of the resistance machines at the gym. Also the treadmill bothered me.

I used an elliptical instead with less foot pain, but I had to avoid
the calf muscle machine. That really did me in, I only used it once!
You sit on a bench and work a pedal like the old manual antique sewing machines. It took me a week to recover from just a few minutes on that one!

Depending on your age, don't put much weight on the resistance machines. Instead go for lighter weights and more reps. Our tendons are not as elastic when we are older. You can really hurt yourself if you try too much, which is seductive. A tendon injury does not heal well..so avoid them at all costs.

And lastly I couldn't really tolerate the bikes too well. A recumbent at 15 minutes was my maximum. Longer and I had terrible foot pain.

The steam rooms feel so good, but if you have nerve pain, you might trigger that with the heat. I triggered my dormant MP pain, that way. So all in all the gym can be an obstacle course, so do be careful.

I do try some of the machines at the gym but not as much as I do the aerobic swim classes , they have deep water and shallow end classes that I've found have really helped my legs and feet, plus to shed a few pounds .