Fibro and exercise - Fibromyalgia Message Board

dougrobin01 · 02-25-2008, 10:18 AM

Hi,

About a month ago I was doing pretty well w/ my Fibro and I had lots of energy and minimal soreness. My husband and I got back on the exercise wagon and we did really well lifting weights and doing some cardio for two weeks. Unfortunately for the last two weeks now, I'm so miserable. I'm hurting really really bad and I'm exhausted. I'm also getting over a horrible cold which has gotten my costachondritis flaired up too. I feel like someone has beaten me up w/ a baseball bat. I haven't felt this bad in a really long time.

I'm am terribly overweight and need to get back to what I used to do before I got Fibro (hiking, weight lifting, aerobics, etc) I know I need to pace myself and not expect everything to happen at once but how can I get past this pain so I can move forward? Mentally I'm prepared to do what I need to do but physically, it's killing me. I thought about getting on Lyrica but I don't like the sounds of the side affects and one of them is gaining weight. I'm on Celexa right now which is better than nothing and Cymbalta didn't work for me. I really do have a drug phobia. I'm only on Celexa for my depression.

Anyway, now I'm just a big, sore blob. I know alot of you out there must be active in some way or another. How do you manage? Are drugs a major component? If so can you tell me what you take? Maybe I need to just suck it up and take some meds. Any advice you can give me is appreciated.

Grapedy · 02-25-2008, 12:40 PM

Lifting weights and cardio don't generally work well with fibro. You have to work up to it. You need to start out with something that's low to no impact, and then slowly work your way up.

Backinthesaddle · 02-26-2008, 06:56 AM

I lift weights and walk on the treadmill at work. I have lifted weights for 20 yrs though and was a avid runner post 3 neck surgeries. I was told by my Rheumy that weight lifting was not a good idea but to walk. I was in so much pain for a few months I didn't do either. Now I am back at it. I do much lighter weights then before but I still hurt. I just do it anyway. I would rather hurt and be solid then be not as sore and a weak. I walk on my breaks and use different speeds and levels. I do one body part a day. On most days that is. You just have to pace yourself as stated and just take your medicines. Use IBprofens too. You are doing great keep it going and push push push past it.

You may not be on the correct medicines. I use Lyrica 375mg a day and about 300 mg of tramadol and use a muscle relaxer as needed. Works well for me and gives me lots of energy. And get lots of good rest.

bluelakelady · 02-26-2008, 07:55 AM

attitude, kiddo, attitude. that is what gets me off my butt. i know after this many years that exercise is the key to less pain. i was about 70 pounds overweight when i started working my way back. i hike because it is worth the pain. i swim and dance for the same reason. funny thing, the more i did that the less pain i had. pain i will always have with me. a good reason to hurt puts a smile on my face during the pain.
you can do this. i started out in a heated pool with p.t. supervision. swimming was easier, cause i weigh less in water. giggle. i was 198lbs 4 years ago. i am 130 now and sorta holding. must drop 10 more to be in what i call my safe range. safe range means i can have my candy when i want it. giggle. or a milk shake.
peace,
bluelakelady

Emmabean · 02-26-2008, 03:01 PM

So, does it get better or do you always feel as though you were run over by a herd of elephants? I can hardly bear to exercise currently! I'm afraid the post-effects will leave me unable to go to work!