let me see...inconsistent, ya, I'm familiar with that!

Bud

lol Bud, still can't get used to it!

I think I'm just allergic to exercise. 4 minute walk made my nose stuff up and eyes got all irritated. No pollen in the air. No other symptoms increased. I will solve this mystery!

MOD

Like Bud, it was about 18 months before I could do much aerobic exercise besides walking. My vestibular rehab. therapist gave me an exercise test based on symptoms and gave me a heart rate to stay at without aggravating symptoms too much. The heart rate is very low (in the 120s) compared to how I used to exercise, but I'll take what I can get. Progress is very slow as I am still only able to do 30 min. at a time, but I also do some light strength training. It is still inconsistent - some weeks I just can't do it. I am not working, so that helps.

For the tension headaches... I found that I could not really do upper body work. I started out doing the elliptical instead of jogging because jogging impact hurt my head. But I realized that the arm movement from the elliptical was making my neck tighten up and then affecting my head. Now I just do the stationary bike, which is really boring, but oh well.

As far as breathing / allergies. The allergens on the east coast this year have been terrible. I started taking a natural anti-histamine called D-Hist and it has helped me.

The chest tightness may be something you want to ask your doctor about.

Take care

PS -

I also found a good integrative doctor and got my adrenals checked. I went on some adrenal support and that helped me be able to exercise more.

I'm two and a half years into recovery and able to exercise but it wipes me out by the evening. I can walk briskly about 6 miles or cycle 18 miles. Haven't tried running since last year. I've also suffered from sore dry eyes and blocked up sinuses, my symptoms have been similar to the OP's. I think alternating exercise and rest days might help. Recovery has been gradual like a glacier!

Super E,

I have to alternate between swimming, running on a treadmill (I need to be on an incline running or it pounds my head to much) and walking and require a day or 2 off as needed to avoid head hurting.

Not like the old days but I am way ahead of last year and happy to be doing something again. Sounds as if we continue to be on similar trajectories.

Bud

Hi, Bud yes we do seem to be on a similar path. Lately I've been guilty of overdoing it after a string of good days, must try not to get lured into doing that again!

Even now I'm not sure what PCS exactly is, it's hard to understand why some days are better than others, I can't get a handle on what triggers symptoms sometimes. I think doing things in small chunks is the way forward for me, exercise - rest - computer - rest etc.

Exercise
 

I'm having ups and downs with exercise also. 1.5 years with PCS. I walk the dog on a regular basis and you'd like that would help get things going. However, if I take it up a notch, like walk on a trail with slopes, turns, etc I really feel it in my head when I get back.

I tried the same trails on my mountain bike last week and it was awful. They were gentle slopes with some tricky areas but it was a bit too much too early.

I might try swimming soon. Good luck with your exercise. I hope it works out.

Thanks for the advice y'all. For some reapson exercising has been my biggest challenge and the one I need to overcome the most. Being sedentary is no way to live a healthy life. I tried swimming over the summer but felt is was too intense for me. Even just a smooth, slow breast stroke. I have been able to walk slowly for ten minutes at a time though. That's the walk I have from my car to class and it hasn't cause a spike in headaches. Plus the allergies are gone so my sinuses are better and I can actually breathe. My vestibular therapist really wants me to get back in shape so she's been pushing me a little hard with the exercise bike. Need to tell her to pull back. I wish my healthcare team would do an exertion test on me and just tell me the HR to stay at. Would make things a lot easier. Anyway, progress is still being made! I think I'm going to join a gym so I can use the treadmill and regulate my cardio better with the machine instead of just walking outside. Well see what happens.

Rr, can you explain what adrenal tests would show and how that effects PCS?

For about a two to three years going to a gym made me nauseated and dizzy every time I went. I just pushed through. Now 3.5 years on I experience days where I can really push myself (to the average gym goer my workout is light). I feel like I can concentrate on riding the exercise bike or using a weight machine, and not have to be preoccupied with the dizziness. Even better, often when I leave I feel just as good as I started.

Here's a tip: I find heavy duty ear muffs (that you would use mowing the lawn) help a lot.


Sadly, I don't feel great 100% of the time. So I try to only go to the gym when I already feel decent.