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CFS/ME
Nov 6, 2016 15:53:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by ceecee147 on Nov 6, 2016 15:53:12 GMT
Hi guys, it's been some time since I've posted on here, unfortunately that's mainly down to illness, but I have still been lurking here in there. Recently I have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome aka ME, likely triggered by my bout of glandular fever a few years ago. This is something I'm still trying to get my head around as to whether it is just 'in my head' or genuinely the reason for my constant tiredness, throat infections and the numerous other things that seem to come along with it. Anyway I've been advised my specialists to try graded exercise therapy, and have decided since football isn't necessarily something I can turn up and only participate for 5-10 mins a time, then cycling might well be the best way forward. Has anyone here any experience of dealing with this, any tips on pacing my exercise? I understand it's not a very well known condition, or even a condition that all doctors agree is an actual condition, but whatever it is, I need to train my body to become stronger, without overdoing it, which considering I've always had an all or nothing approach to sport and fitness it's quite frustrating. Sorry for the essay, appreciate any help/advice.
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CFS/ME
Nov 6, 2016 16:36:42 GMT
Post by bandit3 on Nov 6, 2016 16:36:42 GMT
I have no experience of ME so can't help there, I do hope you can over come this What is "Graded exercise therapy"
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CFS/ME
Nov 6, 2016 18:17:14 GMT
via mobile
Post by ceecee147 on Nov 6, 2016 18:17:14 GMT
It's something like starting at what you would would say is a comfortable level of exercise which can be measured for example in distance/time/reps... so for me after being out of any sort of fitness for a good few months I would say 20 mins is doable, they then want me to halve that and start there (so 10) I would then do this for a week, and step it up by 10% every week, but if I start to fall ill again I have to drop by 10% and maintain for a bit. Hope this makes sense. This is why it couldn't be my usual sport of football as I don't think the team would appreciate me turning up for the warm up then going home haha. At the same time 5-10 mins on a bike seems almost pointless as I'd only be going around the block. Whether or not it works I have no idea, but at this point I'll try anything to get back to where I was before I started to feel ill.
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Post by chas on Nov 6, 2016 18:48:12 GMT
I'd suggest using a turbo trainer considering the time of year, the intensity is more controllable than on the road and you don't have to get kitted up for 10 mins. I've got an old one I got for my kids to use that hasn't been used for a few years if you want it, no real resistance for hard training but should get you going.
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Post by Paulinblack on Nov 6, 2016 18:56:57 GMT
No experience I'm afraid. Turbo sounds a good solution though. Don't for get the saying 'From small acorns large oak trees grow' - That 10 mins will be expanded in no time.
Good luck!
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Post by bandit3 on Nov 6, 2016 18:59:15 GMT
Would that be on a daily bases, could you just walk first or jog to build up some time then cycle once the time built is worth getting the bike out .
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Post by ceecee147 on Nov 6, 2016 19:12:02 GMT
Thanks for the offer Chas, we haven't really got space for a trainer so unfortunately it's not an option at the moment, but depending where you're based and how much I may pop and collect ready for the summer as I'll be able to get it in the garden once the other half has finished laying the slabs (won't hold my breath lol) I have been doing a bit more walking, so will continue that. My goal (as agreed with my practitioner) will be to work up towards cycling to and from work. Only about a 6-7 mile round trip (once a more than comfortable distance) but will definitely be an achievement based on where I'm at at the moment.
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CFS/ME
Nov 6, 2016 19:29:51 GMT
Post by chas on Nov 6, 2016 19:29:51 GMT
I'm not far from you and you're welcome to it, I only paid Β£10 years ago for it. PM me if you're interested.
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Post by erictherat on Nov 6, 2016 21:22:34 GMT
Hi,
This is something I have both personal and professional experience with.
My wife suffered for quite a few years, eventually getting pregnant sorted it - like magic. Think it was the change in hormones. Dont reccommend this a cure tho!
Prefessionally... - I work as a tutor for young people unable to attend school. I taught a CFS sufferer for over 2 years. When I met him he was housebound and barely able to get out of bed. He is now returning to school and about to sit his GCSEs. A gradual increase in activity (just as you describe) is working for him. We gradually increased the length and intensity of his lessons, and he started going for walks - initially just to the end of his drive, then round the block, then 15 mins up the hill, then walking to school, then walking to school and having a short lesson, etc.. He can now manage a 30 min swim, walk to school for a lesson and walk home. However, he has to be very, very careful not to overdo it. Too much activity would send him into severe illness - both short and long term. I do not think road cycling would suit a CFS sufferer - it is quite intense and could cause such a relapse. Cyclig could work, but at a low intensity (bimbling along on a canal path on a hybrid maybe). Walking might be better.
A caveat...I am not a doctor. I have no expertise. These are personal recounts. It sounds like you have a good doctor ( much better than my wife's - although things have changed since she suffered and diagnosis is now better). Discuss any plans with them. At the end of the day - a little every day is better than pushing it too hard. If you find you are able to manage a level af activity comfortably for a week you can always increase it a little for the next week. But doing too much could set you back for months.
I hope you find an activity that suits you and very importantly one that you enjoy. Let us know how you get along. wishing you all the best.
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Post by ceecee147 on Nov 6, 2016 22:41:57 GMT
Thank you Eric for that response. Relapsing is the thing I'm scared of most, pre diagnosis I found on numerous occasions that pushing myself too far either in work or exercise could sometimes cause me to be bed ridden for days/weeks at a time, usually starting with a throat infection. I need to learn to put the brakes on before its gets to the point where I'm feeling a relapse coming on, this is easier said than done with my mentality of just keep pushing on until the jobs done! I'm thinking of bringing my mountain bike out and like you say just take a gentle ride down a through canal paths in order to rebuild my strength, and hopefully in turn get back on the triban!! It's great that your wife has come through it, although I'm not planning on children just yet, they may turn out to be a blessing in more ways than one when the time comes lol, for the time being though I'll stick to doctors orders. I've heard both stories of people who have never quite recovered, but also stories of people who feel they have overcome it, I'm just hoping gentle exercise will get me through it. Thanks everyone.
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Post by ceecee147 on Nov 16, 2016 16:21:28 GMT
So took some small steps today thanks to Chas! My partner managed to move the spare room about a bit to make room for the trainer and after getting over a throat infection last week, I managed to get on it today and do about 5 mins. Not much at all I know- but getting it done and feeling okay is a start for me, now I hope to build on it week after week and hopefully get somewhere near the fitness I once had. Time will tell I guess. Again big thank you to Chas for the trainer, I did take a picture of the set up but not sure how to upload from my phone, all I'll say is with the trainer being red it would have suited my partners red t3 better than my white one, but that's just being picky π.
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Post by erictherat on Nov 16, 2016 20:26:13 GMT
Great news
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Post by ChrisD on Nov 19, 2016 11:35:51 GMT
Excellent to hear you were able to move things around ceecee147 and get the turbo set up. Hope it helps. My oldest daughter recently started on a 12 month placement and then gets married a month after it finishes so we've packed her up into boxes (with her permission) which has freed up a room for her brother's drum kit and the turbo so I can gerbil away whenever needed.
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