Is it safe to exercise?
 

I have not been doing any exercise besides a small amount of walking for many months, I am putting on lots of weight even with a good diet. I was wondering if is fine to exercise on a stationary bike even if it increases symptoms a bit.

Thanks for any replies.

My two cents
 

I personally wouldn't do anything that increased headache or makes you feel like you are overdoing it. Could you try longer walks for now? I'm at the point where I'm going to start aerobic exercise, but it took a long time to get here! I've kept weight off by going for walks. I wasn't driving for a while, so I had to walk to get places!

exercise
 

The University of Buffalo advocates using exercise just below where you get symptoms.

Here is a link if this works.

http://www.ubspectrum.com/news/ub-re...habilitation-i

I try to go for walks too -- or some stretching exercises.

It's hard to find that sweet spot of just enough but not too much.

Good luck

Poetrymom

My acupuncturist says that exercise is good for blood flow which is good for my headaches but again nothing that feels too jarring on your head. I used to be a marathon runner but now find it too much to do even light jogging for a few minutes. Walking is where i'm at now.
But I think exercise in general is good for your general wellbeing but you need to be very very careful with a head injury. I didn't move for 3 months and then gained 30 lbs and honestly didnt' feel any better at all and head didnt improve. So i'm just starting out with light walking.

Please be careful.

Joined health club
 

My insurance Company has just paid for a one years membership. I am planning on taking restorative yoga and doing water exercise. The trick is to start really slow, even if it is only one minute on a stationary bike. You can build from there. I am now 14 months post accident and i am still very limited as to what i can do.

Norma,

Be careful with any extreme yoga positions, especially any with a head down position.

My advice would be to avoid exercise, especially if it causes headaches or fatigue. A gentle walk is the best exercise for now, because strenuous exercise delays recovery.

Your body and brain are under enough pressure already, without adding more stress.

I also tried stationary bikes, crosstrainers and swimming but realise now they could provoke symptoms. This was all well intended, but was unfortunately counter-productive looking back.

All I do is walk, because people shouldn't exercise until ALL symptoms have gone. I am at the end of my PCS journey but am still very reluctant to hit the gym in case I go backwards again.

I share your frustration, because I went to the Gym 3 days a week. Patience is the key to recovery unfortunately!

Alright, thanks. I was swimming for a while as well.


Is it normal for symptoms to go away for a while then come back, because around christmas time my symptoms appeared to have completely went away for about 3 weeks, I resumed normal activity, increased cognitive work, and now my symptoms are back.

It's really like a roller coaster for me.

It is a rollercoaster, but the fact that your symptoms went away is an excellent sign. When my symptoms started coming and going this was the begining of the end of my PCS.

The key is to return to activity gradually, whilst allowing for regular rest.

Keep a diary/journal because this will help you log what worked and what doesn't, it also helps you realise what progress you are making.

I worked one day a week, then two, and have worked three days for the past six weeks. I am moving upto four days next week.

It is a slow process, the key is to listen to what your body is telling you.