I think it's whatever works. If you know you can't get to the gym for 2 more days, do 3 miles! Or if you feel a little tired, do 2 and come back sooner :)

It's so awesome you are able to exercise like that! Ellipticals are not my preferred exercise (they are so hard!). BUT I have been working out some in other ways and it helps so much.

I just wish that I oculd do it at all. I am trying to get to the YMCA to do water aerobics. My doctor wants me to them and I do also, but getting there is the thing as I no longer drive.

Hi Angelamic, I would do what feels best for you. Run your ideas past the doctor too.

That is amazing! I can do an elliptical for about 5 minutes and then I am dying. But I do a recumbent bike and some light weight work. I really wanted to work out every other day but I found I was too tired. So I went to every 3 days and that seems to work better for me. I'm hoping over time, I will be able to go back to every other day once I am more fit and have more stamina.

I agree to do what you feel best with. The main goal is to not do so much, it takes too long to recover.

Meow,

I seem unable to do any physical therapy. I've had only 3 sessions spaced out over two weeks, and my last one was Friday afternoon 5/23. I felt pretty good going home from the rehab place, but Sat morning I woke up with very sore back muscles. I thought it was overwork, and didn't take additional pain med.

But I still had the back aching on Sun, and had to take a muscles relaxer. Plus my MTX, which tore up my stomach this morning (Mon 5/26). I was able to reduce my pain meds until I started the therapy, so I've decided I'm just going to walk w/my walker around my block everyday, and call it my exercise.

In my case, it could be either poly flaring up, or Fibro.

Anybody else have to stop therapy, cause they felt worse the next day?

Purr,
=^.,.^=

I had to find the right physical therapist. Be sure you are finding someone that specializes in neuro diseases. Teams that work with stroke victims and such. It is important to know our disease and how the damaged muscles work. The "No pain, no gain" approach doesn't work for us. That doesn't mean we don't work hard, but we work differently. I think when I first started PT, I swung my legs, rode the recumbent bike for 5 minutes, and stretched. That was all I could do the first session. Eventually we worked up to using bands (that I did at home). Over several months, I was able to start working out at the gym....in a limited and controlled way.

Hi Buttercup.Don't give up on the exercise. It is normal for muscles which have not been used for some time to be sore and painful after exercise. It took me six months of sometimes sore and painful exercise to get to a time where I don't need Meds fir pain. It's not a quick fix. It does take time but worth the effort , you will feel better, walk further and without pain. I believe once the inflammation from this disease is controlled exercise is a vital part of preserving and improving what it left behind. Best wishes to you. Autumm

Meow,

Thanks, Friends. I don't get to do very much P.T., so it really isn't worth burning the gasoline to go to the site. Just as soon as I'd get built up, I'd have to stop.

I really appreciate your encouragement, Autumm. I'm going to keep walking my mobile home park, starting out with the small circle, then increasing as I get more limber.

I agree with you, lexi. The therapists seem not to understand about muscle disease patients. One of my chief weaknesses, is I flare-up if I overdue...and sometimes I can't tell if I've overdone until the next day. I feel like such a baby when I can't do at least 10 reps.

Thanks, everybody, for all of your great advice...
Purr,
=^.,.^=,

Hang in there and experiment. I call this yoyo-ing. Exercise when you feel good but tend toward over doing because you feel good that day. Leading to a few days of recovery. learning to listen to your body and find that magic balance of activity and rest.
It's frustrating we all want to be as active as before we got sick. But you cannot rush it. The key is to find your balance point.

heres another thing i find odd.
im never sore...i just feel my muscles fatigue.
is that normal?

Hi Angel. Its normal for you. Wish it was normal for me. Autumm

i wish it were for you also.