Stu,
It is good to see you are back in the gym. I ran and pushed heavier weights for many years but when I hit my mid 50s, I started to focus more on strength and endurance - lighter weights but multiple sets and reps with little rest in between sets and reps. In addition to this I started riding in my mid 40s, which supplemented my exercise and fitness regimen. The reality is that by the time we hit our 40s we actually start to lose muscle mass unless we work at it. In addition because some multiple myeloma can affect the bones, the fact that you perform weight bearing exercises it increases bone density which can only be a benefit long term.
What I did find after treatment was that my strength and endurance was not what it was and after 2 years post treatment I am still recovering. Some of the issues are as result of the steroid component as it can cause muscle weakening, particularly in those large muscle groups such as quads. Some of this is age related, but considering my fitness level pre-transplant, it is difficult for me to accept that I can't at this time ride or work out at the level that I was at pre-transplant.
Ron, I started on my subcutaneous IG treatments this week. It will take a couple of months before my iG numbers start to come up. Just back from a trip to see the 5 grandkids and came home healthy so that is a plus.
Forums
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Wayne W - Name: Wayne W
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I am new to this and this is my first post. Here I sit on Christmas day and wonder how many more will I have with my family. As a biker, I was happy to find this group. Most of what I have heard from people I know regarding myeloma involves friends / relatives of theirs who passed away quickly. I have not read all the posts here, yet but I am finding hope so far. I have not biked since being diagnosed, but I hope to use it to get fit again one day.
I started running / biking late (40s) and, after a lot of hard work, actually became competitive and won some races (overall, not just masters). It was rewarding for all the work I put in. A knee injury ended my running, so now I am a biker only. It took me a while to come to grips with that, and then now this.
Diagnosed in July 2015, I have been on cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) ever since. Initial response was very good - for a while, it looked like I would go straight into remission. But then the response leveled off and I will be having a stem cell transplant in the near future.
I started running / biking late (40s) and, after a lot of hard work, actually became competitive and won some races (overall, not just masters). It was rewarding for all the work I put in. A knee injury ended my running, so now I am a biker only. It took me a while to come to grips with that, and then now this.
Diagnosed in July 2015, I have been on cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) ever since. Initial response was very good - for a while, it looked like I would go straight into remission. But then the response leveled off and I will be having a stem cell transplant in the near future.
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scoob - Name: dave
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hello Scoob:
Welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you have the occasion to be here, but you will find some others that are in the same boat as you. multiple myeloma is very very variable. It is impossible to predict whether or not you will find yourself on the good side or the bad side of the curves. I hope that its the good side. In either case, keeping up your activity and good physical condition will not only enhance your life, but also your ability to deal with your multiple myeloma situation. Best of luck to you.
Welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you have the occasion to be here, but you will find some others that are in the same boat as you. multiple myeloma is very very variable. It is impossible to predict whether or not you will find yourself on the good side or the bad side of the curves. I hope that its the good side. In either case, keeping up your activity and good physical condition will not only enhance your life, but also your ability to deal with your multiple myeloma situation. Best of luck to you.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Setting goals for CY 2016.
CY 2015 is nearly at an end. How did you do meeting your biking goals? I had a good year and met most of my goals, including my personal best time in the Hotter n Hell 100, where I broke 6 hours for the first time and set a personal best in total miles of just over 5,600. (Did not meet my goal of 6,000, but am happy with the result).
Andrew is the big winner having set a goal of breaking 10,000 miles and meeting it. That is truly awesome and only a year after his stem cell transplant!!
This coming year I am targeting a two-man 12-hour team trophy in the Ultra Cup challenge. The Ultra Cup goes to the winner team - most miles covered in a series of 6 Ultra races. These follow a time trial format, so no drafting is allowed. Ultra Racing is more about endurance than speed. The races are generally 6,12, 24 and up to 48 hours in duration. They can be solo, or teams of 2, 3 or 4 bikers. They offer trophies for all the variants including solo and team male, female, standard bikes and recumbent. Everyone provides their own pit and support. I have really come to like these races as the participants really pull for everyone and encourage each other. It is competitive but not cutthroat. Many of the soloists are trying to qualify for RAAM as these are RAAM qualifying events. The winners of the Ultra Cup are based off of the best 3 races out of the total 6 races. So to qualify for the cup you must do at least 3.
Besides the Ultra cup I am targeting the HHH again as well as a couple of other rallies plus this year breaking that 6,000 mile barrier. In addition, I want to do a ride in the Davis Mountains which I missed out on this year.
This will be challenging as my myeloma is starting to relapse. No major shift but a relentless rise in my kappa light chain and increasing ratio. I have been on a shot of Velcade once every two weeks and 8 mg of dex once every two weeks for the past 3 years. For now he is just increasing the dex to 40 mg once every two weeks. If that does not work then it is likely he will add back in 5 or 10 mg of Revlimid on 21 off 7. So how I will be able to handle the increase in the drugs and still keep my goals will be a challenge. I have handled a worse protocol when I was first diagnosed, so I am not to concerned.
What are your goals for CY 2016?
CY 2015 is nearly at an end. How did you do meeting your biking goals? I had a good year and met most of my goals, including my personal best time in the Hotter n Hell 100, where I broke 6 hours for the first time and set a personal best in total miles of just over 5,600. (Did not meet my goal of 6,000, but am happy with the result).
Andrew is the big winner having set a goal of breaking 10,000 miles and meeting it. That is truly awesome and only a year after his stem cell transplant!!
This coming year I am targeting a two-man 12-hour team trophy in the Ultra Cup challenge. The Ultra Cup goes to the winner team - most miles covered in a series of 6 Ultra races. These follow a time trial format, so no drafting is allowed. Ultra Racing is more about endurance than speed. The races are generally 6,12, 24 and up to 48 hours in duration. They can be solo, or teams of 2, 3 or 4 bikers. They offer trophies for all the variants including solo and team male, female, standard bikes and recumbent. Everyone provides their own pit and support. I have really come to like these races as the participants really pull for everyone and encourage each other. It is competitive but not cutthroat. Many of the soloists are trying to qualify for RAAM as these are RAAM qualifying events. The winners of the Ultra Cup are based off of the best 3 races out of the total 6 races. So to qualify for the cup you must do at least 3.
Besides the Ultra cup I am targeting the HHH again as well as a couple of other rallies plus this year breaking that 6,000 mile barrier. In addition, I want to do a ride in the Davis Mountains which I missed out on this year.
This will be challenging as my myeloma is starting to relapse. No major shift but a relentless rise in my kappa light chain and increasing ratio. I have been on a shot of Velcade once every two weeks and 8 mg of dex once every two weeks for the past 3 years. For now he is just increasing the dex to 40 mg once every two weeks. If that does not work then it is likely he will add back in 5 or 10 mg of Revlimid on 21 off 7. So how I will be able to handle the increase in the drugs and still keep my goals will be a challenge. I have handled a worse protocol when I was first diagnosed, so I am not to concerned.
What are your goals for CY 2016?
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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
Ron,
Quite ambitious goals!! I am sure that you will meet most, if not all, of them.
Thanks for the shout out. I did meet my mileage goal ... would have smashed it but for the two broken ribs in mid-November, but as my fiancee said, that will make it a bit easier to beat next year.
One goal that I have been able to meet is to do the several mountainous, 80-ish mile routes that I have not been able to do since my diagnosis. Although my stamina is good, my strength to do all that climbing has not returned – or at least I have not had enough confidence in my strength to try it. So my goal is to beat those mountains next summer.
Of course, this nasty disease may interfere, but I am determined to be optimistic about it.
Quite ambitious goals!! I am sure that you will meet most, if not all, of them.
Thanks for the shout out. I did meet my mileage goal ... would have smashed it but for the two broken ribs in mid-November, but as my fiancee said, that will make it a bit easier to beat next year.
One goal that I have been able to meet is to do the several mountainous, 80-ish mile routes that I have not been able to do since my diagnosis. Although my stamina is good, my strength to do all that climbing has not returned – or at least I have not had enough confidence in my strength to try it. So my goal is to beat those mountains next summer.
Of course, this nasty disease may interfere, but I am determined to be optimistic about it.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Okay the final tally is in: 2015 outdoor mileage = 10,427!!
This despite a slow start to the season due to icy conditions on the trails for much of January, February, and March. And due to a complete shutdown for 5+ weeks for two fractured ribs..
As mentioned in my last post above, hoping this coming year to add to the mileage and to tackle some more difficult rides. Mr. Myeloma please let me!!
Love this thread and looking forward to reading other stories of accomplishments and goals for the new year.
This despite a slow start to the season due to icy conditions on the trails for much of January, February, and March. And due to a complete shutdown for 5+ weeks for two fractured ribs..
As mentioned in my last post above, hoping this coming year to add to the mileage and to tackle some more difficult rides. Mr. Myeloma please let me!!
Love this thread and looking forward to reading other stories of accomplishments and goals for the new year.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Andrew:
I pegged you as a very determined cuss a couple of years ago.
Congrats on meeting your goals despite the odds and obstacles in 2015.
Nice work!
I pegged you as a very determined cuss a couple of years ago.
Congrats on meeting your goals despite the odds and obstacles in 2015.
Nice work!
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Rneb
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Just got caught up on this thread. The weather in Victoria has been wet but no snow, so have been able to ride despite the rain. Out today with some of my group in the rain and wind. Have managed 460 km (286 miles) for January, so not a bad start to the year. We will probably not go anywhere south this winter so I should be able to have a good mileage total for the year. Hills / grade change are still my nemesis – age plus 225 lbs plus 6"2" and myeloma does not a climber make. But I keep trying. My buddies always know where I am by the deep breathing they hear behind them. Hope everyone is doing well.
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Wayne W - Name: Wayne W
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
January got off to a pretty good start. It was cold but not much precipitation, that is until last weekend. Over 32 inches of snow in 24 hours!! Yikes, a record for where I live in central Pennsylvania. So for the past week I was relegated to the indoor trainer. And despite the fact that the trainer is in our finished walk-out basement with windows and plenty of sunlight, it sucks.
The trails where I normally ride in the winter are liable to be unrideable for the foreseeable future. But luckily for me on Saturday morning my daughter shamed me into riding on the road despite the chilly temperatures. And you know what, it was great. Knocked off 45 miles yesterday and today. Hope to get out again tomorrow and Tuesday before rain hits on Wednesday.
Bottom line, January total 582 miles. A very good start to the year. It will be tough to keep up this pace with the snow on the trails but will try to keep it rolling.
Safe rides to all.
The trails where I normally ride in the winter are liable to be unrideable for the foreseeable future. But luckily for me on Saturday morning my daughter shamed me into riding on the road despite the chilly temperatures. And you know what, it was great. Knocked off 45 miles yesterday and today. Hope to get out again tomorrow and Tuesday before rain hits on Wednesday.
Bottom line, January total 582 miles. A very good start to the year. It will be tough to keep up this pace with the snow on the trails but will try to keep it rolling.
Safe rides to all.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Wow, Andrew, that is a great start. I am on the same pace as Wayne. Have gotten in about 285 miles. Since I work, the only times I can ride in the winter are on weekends. We had some rain and I had a sinus infection, which kept my mileage down a little. But I ended the month with a bang, putting in 58 miles yesterday and another 26 today. Didn't hurt that it was in the low 70s (F) both days! Texas has some advantages that way!!
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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