Ron,
One thing I did not mention that came to mind as I was reading your response is the impact of endurance sports and dex on immune system. The physiologist told me that research suggest that for anyone up to an hour of sustained aerobic activity has a positive impact on immune system. After an hour, its impact on immune system flips and gets progressively worse the longer one goes. Combine that impact with dex which also suppress immune system and the situation gets risky.
The regimen he suggested to me would have me limiting any endurace training at excess of 60% of max heart heart to 60 min or less. Anything past that I would be doing recognizing that it would be detrimental to my health, he said.
Like many myeloma folks, infections are the bane of my existence (I am IgA and produce very, very few IgG). I still do one long run and one long ride during which I push pace once a week, but do so recognizing that, as you said, it is a mental and emotional quality of life issue.
Just something to keep in mind.
Forums
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Andy D - Name: Andy D
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Andy,
I have been doing this (endurance riding) ever since my diagnosis. I regulary ride 3-4 hours every Satruday and follow that up with 1.5-2 hours on Sundays. Last year, before my surgery, I did a 12-hour time trial where I covered over 160 miles in the 12 hours.
There is a runner with myeloma who has completed a marathon in every state since his diagnosis, and he is now in his 70s.
So I am not sure I buy into the one-hour limit. However, everyone reacts differently and we all have different limitations.
Ron
I have been doing this (endurance riding) ever since my diagnosis. I regulary ride 3-4 hours every Satruday and follow that up with 1.5-2 hours on Sundays. Last year, before my surgery, I did a 12-hour time trial where I covered over 160 miles in the 12 hours.
There is a runner with myeloma who has completed a marathon in every state since his diagnosis, and he is now in his 70s.
So I am not sure I buy into the one-hour limit. However, everyone reacts differently and we all have different limitations.
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Here is a link to an article on Don Wright who has completed 84 marathons since his myeloma diagnosis in 2003. He is on Pomalyst.
http://mylifeisworthit.org/blog/2014/10/runner-and-multiple-myeloma-survivor-don-wright-completes-84th-marathon/
Ron
http://mylifeisworthit.org/blog/2014/10/runner-and-multiple-myeloma-survivor-don-wright-completes-84th-marathon/
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I second what you guys say about the mental aspect of endurance sports like running or cycling. I feel most alive when I am running. Even if I am way slower than I used to be. Since many people speak of a stem cell transplant as a second birthday, I figure I'm allowed to zero out all my previous PRs and start over following my May 2013 SCT. 
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I just happened upon this thread this morning and read with interest about the concept of an hour. I will just have to take my chances. I am training for a marathon and I am on Day 123 post SCT. I've done a couple of runs over 90 minutes so far and one of over 2 hours. It may not be good for me, but not doing this is a lot worse. This is who I am. The sadness I get when I can't be me is harder on me than any disease or illness.
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
And hi, mikeb! I hope you are doing well!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Kim,
I am with you on this one. The physiologist also said to limit your HR to 60% of maximum. That is not going to happen for me. When I do my training rides, I regularly average 75% - 85% of my max for 3-4 hours. If I was to limit myself to 60%, I would hardly break a sweat.
On my indoor trainer I do limit myself to about an hour each workout. However, I do intervals and am pushing myself regularly, hitting my lactate threshold. No pain, no gain as the saying goes.
When I first started this thread a couple of years ago, there were a lot of people that had been advised not to ride outside on a bike for fear of falling and breaking bones.
I think we are capable of a lot more than what many so-called experts think.
Ron
I am with you on this one. The physiologist also said to limit your HR to 60% of maximum. That is not going to happen for me. When I do my training rides, I regularly average 75% - 85% of my max for 3-4 hours. If I was to limit myself to 60%, I would hardly break a sweat.
On my indoor trainer I do limit myself to about an hour each workout. However, I do intervals and am pushing myself regularly, hitting my lactate threshold. No pain, no gain as the saying goes.
When I first started this thread a couple of years ago, there were a lot of people that had been advised not to ride outside on a bike for fear of falling and breaking bones.
I think we are capable of a lot more than what many so-called experts think.
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I am choosing to refuse to believe the need for a one hour limitation. 
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
More isn't always better. I don't believe in an hour limit, but to most people, exercising more than an hour probably doesn't give them any added physical benefit other than giving them more endurance and helping them to prepare for a competition or something like that. If you want to exercise more than that because you have a goal in mind, fine. But don't think it's going to make you live any longer.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
This is such an interesting 'thread', and, although I am more into walking these days, I like to read it.
Sometimes if I go to a gym, I measure my HR – for example, on an elliptical trainer or on a treadmill.
When I exercise outdoors, I usually set a distance target, not a time target. Say I am doing a loop that involves going to a set point and then returning. So I would record the distance (e.g. 3 km, 5 km, etc.). It doesn't really matter to me how long it takes me to do that distance.
Sometimes if I go to a gym, I measure my HR – for example, on an elliptical trainer or on a treadmill.
When I exercise outdoors, I usually set a distance target, not a time target. Say I am doing a loop that involves going to a set point and then returning. So I would record the distance (e.g. 3 km, 5 km, etc.). It doesn't really matter to me how long it takes me to do that distance.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009