Question:
What kind of exercise are post-ops with fibromyalgia doing?

I'm 3.5 months post-op, lap rny, and down 52 lbs. (35-40 to goal, yipee). I have fibromyalgia and my pcp is constantly warning me to not overdo exercise, and to stick with very low impact types of activities (stretching, yoga, etc.). I know swimming would be good, but unfortunately, with no quick access to a pool, and a job that very often goes 10+ hours per day, it's out of the question. The last 3 months have been very up and down as far as the fibromyalgia goes...sometimes I feel great, and other times I can barely move. My husband just bought a Bowflex for strength-training (he's a road and mountain biker), and I'm wondering if it would also be beneficial for me too? I'm also trying biking. Anybody out there in the same situation with other suggestions? I want to be a successful post-op and get the remaining weight off, and more importantly keep it off. I'm trying to use this first year for some serious behavior modification as far as eating and exercise goes and to develop good lifetime habits. Thank you in advance for your answers! Katie W.    — Le P. (posted on May 8, 2004)

May 8, 2004
Katie, I am 2 years post op RNY down 161 pounds. The best I can do is my treadmill. I try at times to do more but just end up sick, so I just walk everyday. I just had a massage the other day and it aggrevated my fibromyalgia I have been hardly able to move for 3 days. What ever you try just take it slowly. Since your husband has the bowflex, I would sure give it a try, but just be careful. I wish I could do something to make my upper body stronger. Maybe someone else will have some good ideas. I'll be anxious to read the other posts. Good luck!
   — cfstevens

May 8, 2004
Katie, I am 2 years post op RNY down 161 pounds. The best I can do is my treadmill. I try at times to do more but just end up sick, so I just walk everyday. I just had a massage the other day and it aggrevated my fibromyalgia I have been hardly able to move for 3 days. What ever you try just take it slowly. Since your husband has the bowflex, I would sure give it a try, but just be careful. I wish I could do something to make my upper body stronger. Maybe someone else will have some good ideas. I'll be anxious to read the other posts. Good luck!
   — cfstevens

May 9, 2004
Hi, Katie, I am five months post-op and have fibromyalgia. I started out with brisk walks on hills, and weight in the gym. Now I run, and I still do weights at the gym. I do listen to my body, however, and there are days where running is too much, so I walk. Weights seems to trigger symptoms at times, but then at other times don't. Try to listen to your body in whatever activity you chose. Yoga does feel good to me. I also swim, but if the water is too cold it aggravates my symptoms, too. Your body will tell you what's okay for you. Good luck. Chris L.
   — Chris L.

May 9, 2004
Katie, I was officially diagnosed with fibro in July 1997. My orthopedist suspected it back in late 1995 but a rheumatologist said no. Then in 1997 they classified it as "significant". I don't think that's an official term though. Basically he said it was fairly bad. Fortunately for me, by the time I was diagnosed I had been living with it for about 3-4 years I suspect. I had continued to workout through that time and just learned to listen to my body more. I knew if I did too much I would pay for it and be laid up for a while. It always takes me longer to recover from overdoing than the average person. I've just learned to accept it and work with it. <p>My routine before and after surgery includes 30 minutes of weight training 2 to 3 times a week. However, my weight training is not to build large muscles but to maintain the strength I do have and very slowly build more muscle and most importantly to maintain/gain flexibility. I have fairly good flexibility and the minute I tighten up the least little bit I hurt a lot. So I would say our goals, as a fibro patient, are very different than the majority of the weight training world. We cannot push ourselves too far too fast, or we get set way back. Compared to other people I use fairly whimpy weights, but all that matters is that I am doing it and doing what my body can handle. <p>If you decide to branch into weight training then you will need to do it very slowly. Do one set of very light reps and see how your body tolerates it. In time the bowflex might be alright, but I believe right now, starting from scratch even the smallest weight might be too much. It took me till 6 months PO before I was able to work back up to the weights I was doing before WLS. That didn't bother me as I did not want a hernia, which so far I have been successful at keeping at bay. 15 months and counting. <p>My rheumatologist always encouraged me to keep exercising to maintain and slightly push. If biking feels good then go for it, but don't try to keep up with hubby. Set your own goals and limits. Walking is a great exercise all the way around so don't think you are doing less than you should if that is what you are able to do. It works the heart and all major muscle groups. I try any kind of exercise or activity I want. Some work out great and some not so great. But how else do you know without trying. On the days you try something new consider taking a couple of extra strength tylenol before bedtime, if that is something you are allowed to take. I find doing something proactive will help me sleep better and ultimately feel better the next day. We fibro patients must be very intuned to our bodies. My personal belief is that one really has to set a mental attitude that they are not going to let the fibro control their lives. It can be a huge factor in it, but doesn't need to drive everything we do and limit us to a life of homebound, in most cases. It took me 6 months to also be able to walk a mile continuously due to the cramping in my hips and pain in my low back and feet and knees. It came in time as the weight came off. Most people were out walking that in a very short time after surgery, but no my body. I had no fibro symptoms after WLS for about a month and then it flared up. I had to go back on anti-inflammatory medicine along with the occassional pain pill to get things to settle down and function. I was able to get back off the meds and have only had to go back on for short periods of time since then. It's not how much you do but that you keeps doing it that will give you great lifelong habits. No need to compete with your neighbor etc. The most important thing is to enjoy your new healthy life. Certainly carrying around a lighter body is going to help the fibro in the long run. Good luck and go try anything you feel you want to. Some PCP's do not fully understand fibro and will go too cautiously. Very slow and easy and steady is the key, at least from my experience.
   — zoedogcbr

May 10, 2004
Chris has given an excellent response. Do not try to push beyond what your body can handle. As you lose weight you do "feel" as if you can do so much more, but build slowly. I have fibro too, and cannot work out everyday like some can. I need that extra recovery time. I worked up to a good 1/2 hour on the treadmill, even walking straight uphill to build a good sweat. Follow that with some abdominal work and arm exercises with 5 pound weights. I used to love yoga too. Try it, its absolutely wonderful for fibro, but a herniated disc in my back has curtailed yoga for now. The important thing with fibro is to stay flexible and stretched. Also get plenty of rest. If I stick to a normal sleep routine, I do better. One night of staying out to 2 am, and I'm recovering for 3 days!!
   — Cindy R.

May 10, 2004
Katie: I can relate about the fibro. Unlike the previous posts, I am unable to walk or use a treadmill due to SEVERE pain! I had to "ease into" exercise by starting with physical therapy (bike, pilates) only after using warm, moist compresses. After a few months, I began WARM WATER AQUATICS at physical therapyl. Now, Ive left the P.T. behind and I am able to do Low Impact Circuit Training at a woman's gym. There are still machines I cant do, but Im getting better each day. Ive had some Extremely painful times, when I simply went to the gym and got my heart rate up, skipping the machines that would affect the particular joint/muscles that hurt. Its working out better. Im still having to get trigger point injections and steroid injections. But Ive lost 7 and 3/4 inches in 30 days! By the way, my fibro. has somewhat disabled me. (I never knew it could be so bad for some of us. I had to quit work last fall) But my rheumatologist told me, if I didnt start moving, Id end up in wheelchair eventually. I feel much better now. Best of LUck to you. Leslie L.
   — leslee4567