Hi all,
I’m afraid to start exercising again. Does anyone find that exercise triggers pain? Any suggestions on exercise that causes minimal triggers?
Thank you,
Sara
Dear Sara,
I have often wondered this myself. I don't know about anyone else, but I actually find a moderate amount of exercise therapeutic, but have been hesitant to resume my old workout routine since my pain became almost unbearable in late '09.
Thank you for asking this question. I anticipate reading any input on this subject.
Stef
I believe exercise is important for anyone experiencing pain. Exercise is good for the mind and body.
Bending over often increases my TN pain, so I limit this action during exercise.
I suggest starting with something gentle and easy, such as walking.
I find keeping my head above or level with my shoulders works,bending my head is not a great idea. Walking with my head looking straight forward is ok.
This is an older thread, but I thought I would add to it, anyway, rather than start a new one. Have you ever thought of taking belly dance lessons or using a belly dance DVD? I used to take lessons years ago, in another state, and I remembered that most of the moves require the head to be level. I just pulled out some DVDs I purchased a while back and thought I would try again. And, belly dance is not just for women. It used to be, probably still is, danced by men…but you might want to draw the shades. It is a good form of exercise to strengthen your core muscles.
I'm wondering the same types of things. For what it's worth, I've been trying to ease back in at moderate levels. My primary care doctor told me to stay away from super-strenuous exercises that would spike your blood pressure, like weightlifting, at least for now.
So far, I've gotten back into moderate-paced bike rides for about an hour, jog/slow runs for about an hour, and (not sure what the term is) body-resistance exercises like pushups, situps, squats, etc. So far, it hasn't made anything worse, and possibly even helped the specific symptoms.
More importantly though, it's really helped me from an overall wellbeing perspective. To start to get back to normal activities have really helped me step a bit out of this fog of pain and meds. So, I'd say start slow, stay hydrated, and work your way up and see what happens (again, for what it's worth).
That's wonderful to hear! Keep up the good work. The right kind of exercise can really help.
I love your profile picture. My little Chihuahua is very therapeutic for me. He senses when I’m starting to hurt and climbs under my chin and gently licks my face. As far as belly dancing goes I’m a big guy, I walk and my belly dances all by itself. Bless you. Brian
booklass said:
This is an older thread, but I thought I would add to it, anyway, rather than start a new one. Have you ever thought of taking belly dance lessons or using a belly dance DVD? I used to take lessons years ago, in another state, and I remembered that most of the moves require the head to be level. I just pulled out some DVDs I purchased a while back and thought I would try again. And, belly dance is not just for women. It used to be, probably still is, danced by men…but you might want to draw the shades. It is a good form of exercise to strengthen your core muscles.
LOL! Well, I’m no small fry myself, so the shades stay firmly drawn. I think your Chi sounds like a sweetheart. Very empathetic. I do find Tater to be therapeutic, too. In a way, all of my pets are since caring for them keeps me from focusing on myself and the pain so much (which has improved with the meds.) . My sons not as much since I am trying to make them MORE independent.
Brian Byers said:
I love your profile picture. My little Chihuahua is very therapeutic for me. He senses when I'm starting to hurt and climbs under my chin and gently licks my face. As far as belly dancing goes I'm a big guy, I walk and my belly dances all by itself. Bless you. Brian
I've used a bellydancing DVD (fun and makes you feel good about yourself). Also use an exercise bike regularly. Neither have had a negative impact on the TN, if anything I think it helps lower stress - stress being a definite trigger for me.
I haven't yet either. Maybe we can try something that doesn't involve stepping real hard or jumping.
Dear Sara,
I have always exercised and continue to. I find that anything that I can do to take my mind off of this is really the best medicine. When I was diagnosed I had symptoms that put me in the type 1 category and as time goes by I believe I am type 2. I really don't have any triggers just gnawing pain that is put in its place by tegretol. The effects of the meds are by far the most annoying at this point and I try to reduce my dosage when I can. Exercise helps me to take my mind off of things and if you can participate do so. The busier I am the less focused I am on the disease. The past six months have also been a series of hurdles that I have challenged myself to conquer and have done so. Cease the day Sara. Participate as heartily as you can and try not to be afraid!!!
Chris
Great topic! I am new to TN - And I noticed that as I was leaving the YMCA it seemed as though the pain was getting triggered more easily. I have broken with my YMCA routine this week as trying to stabilize the pain episodes. But want to get back to some easy movement back at the gym. Also thinking maybe heat is triggering the TN pain as well. For example I was picking some cherry tomatoes and noticed a few twinges of pain when I bent over. So great idea keeping head above the waist. And of course I think stress triggers it. When I am in pain I just want to be by myself because when I am in pain around others makes me super stressed. hmm I wonder if light swimming it would be good-?
hi sara, I find that exercising does trigger pain, but it also gives me something to focus on.. try training your body up slowly, and if you find an exercise which triggers your pain to start then avoid this, and try building up a different component of fitness. Exercises is a really good way to keep yourself distracted and despite TN I recently was selected for the welsh team, don't be afraid of exercising, try to motivate yourself by having a target
jess
It is wonderful for me. I am totally with Stef.
Sometimes I wear myself out with exercise then my nerves are too tired to be stressed!
I think it would be beneficial all the way around if you can pick up something.
Joan
I can give some advice on this topic. I am a fitness instructor (I teach those spin classes) and have type 1 TN. I have to admit that it is harder to teach them now than before TN but mainly just because I am more tired because of the meds and don't have the same stamina. I am able to teach them though mostly pain free (on meds of course) but I do often have a little more pain the first 10 minutes or so of the workout. Spin is a very intense workout though where my heart rate can get to about 180. I spoke with both my neurologist and Dr. Casey about this and they said that this was normal at the start of exercise but as you get going, the pain levels off and even leaves. This is partly because of the endorphins that kick in with high intensity workouts and just the feel good you get from working out. I always have nice pain relief in the hours following my workouts. Also, I pledged when this all started that I would do everything that I could to not let TN change my life and fitness is one of my passions so I just wouldn't let it and won't let it get in my way. Honestly, exercise help me escape from my TN and for that period of time, I feel like normal me.
Hey, I feel the same way on a good day! Lets get back to the exercise! But like most of other sufferers I am terrified! I can’t tolerate loud noises… ie music,tv,telephone… My Tn goes ballistic!
Life seems so different to what I once had!
Good luck
This is a TN2er (with 24/7 pain) speaking: Exercise has long been difficult because of the "rebound pain."While I am doing cardio, the pain recedes into the background (goes away? not quite). After, it comes back, with a seeming vengeance. For too long, I let this unmistakeable pattern keep me sedentary, until I developed a heart problem and suffered a mild stroke. So now I exercise because my life depends on it. I am still too sedentary for my own good, but exercise like fast walking (I do it on an inclined treadmill, listening to and singing along with music) is good for a general sense of well-being. The rebound pain takes on an almost moral quality, as I know this is what helps keep me alive. (I read that TN2 is called "the suicide disease," but I fear death more than I fear this pain.) The really important thing, and I know this because I still spend too much time doing it, is not to sit around doing nothing. I watch a lot of TV, and if I sit too long, the pain just builds. If I keep busy, keep moving, do chores, even if takes effort to get off that couch, my day (and night) goes better.
A actually have a decrease of pain during exercise. I played basketball last night and, even though I was having moderate pain before I started, I had zero pain during and right after!
Im looking for something that works for me. I recently started exercising with a group of coworkers to Jillian Michaels dvds. I ended up having a major flareup and it still hasnt gone away but like all of you, i dont want to stop exercising. Just trying to get through this bout and get to a pont where just walking up and down the stairs in my house causes throbbing pain. I like the idea of keeping my head up. Some of the exercises in the dvd are very jerky movements that have you going up and down in and out of plnks etc. Will try to continue doing what i can and finding more that works.