[DallasGG]

How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by DallasGG on Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:12 pm

I recently (about 5 weeks ago) had an auto stem cell transplant and am recovering much faster than even I had anticipated. I was able to go for a 55 minute bike ride yesterday and felt pretty good. I swam a lot before my transplant and would like to get back into that as soon as it's safe to be in a pool again.

My doctor said he thought it would be safe about 3 months post transplant. But I don't want to take any unnecessary chances and get an infection from swimming in a pool too soon after my transplant.

My question is: What sort of times are common for waiting to go back to the pool again after a stem cell transplant?

[Wayne K]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Wayne K on Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:20 pm

I'm no doctor, but I would think your immunity would be the deciding factor. There are few places to swim that are really free of organisms I would think. As far as physical condition goes if it were me i would want to stay at a depth where I could quit quickly without any danger.

[Mark]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Mark on Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:45 pm

Hi DallasGG,

Always preferable to what a doctor "thinks" is having an Immune or Immunology Panel tests done to see how your immune system is recovering. I have also heard them referred to as lymphocyte subset tests. Here are some links to what different labs test for.

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/testguide.action?dc=TH_LymphSubPnls

http://pdl.testcatalog.org/show/IMMP

http://www.wardelab.com/test_page.asp?test=Immune+Deficiency+Panel%2C+Comprehensive

Hope that helps.

Mark

[Carol D.]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Carol D. on Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:50 pm

At my 2 month appointment I asked the doctor about swimming since by then it was August. He said "just don't drink the water". I really didn't start using the pool until about 4 months post transplant, but I keep my head out of the water, doing water aerobics. I have really enjoyed it, and it makes my life feel more "normal".

I will be approaching one year in June and intend to ask my doctor then about swimming in the ocean and lakes.

[Stephen Kramer]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Stephen Kramer on Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:47 pm

I had an autologous stem cell transplant two years ago, and had been avid swimmer beforehand (great for my neuropathy as well as my overall strength and state of mind). I had a pretty difficult transplant, but bounced back quickly. My doctors gave me the okay to return to the pool about 10 weeks after I left the hospital. They did not inquire, but the pool I use is exceptionally clean -- ultraviolet and chlorine water treatment, and no children. Good luck!

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Eric Hofacket on Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:18 pm

I got back into the pool about 2 months after my SCT after my WBC came up to safe levels. The ocean and lakes can have a lot more bacteria so I waited 6 months before I went into those waters.

[Annamaria]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Annamaria on Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:57 am

After my transplant, on Dec. 15th of last year, I felt like I had been run over by a train. I was weak and spaced out. I refused to wear glasses for a while, I did not care about seeing clearly and I was staying at home anyway, irrationally afraid that if I put my nose outside someone would grab me and do something horrible to me!

I begin to resurface after two months, and that's when I went back to my beloved pool. Once in the water I told my right arm what to do for front stroke, and I could (psychotically) hear it saying "are you kidding?!" I could barely lift it! Several other swimmers know me there, we sometimes chat when our heads are above the water, maybe they wondered why a regular swimmer like me could barely move, and looked so thin and with no muscles.

After that time I went swimming twice a week and, when my strength came back, I increased to four times a week Psychologically it has been very important to resume an activity I like. It was a coming back to life.

After swimming I spent money at a nearby café which serves delicious pasta (I live in Rome) and stuffed myself, which helped with going back to regular weight. I could not do it now, but in those months my body was eager to gain energy and grateful for the treats.

As for the timing, I waited for the "go ahead" from my doctor.

[DallasGG]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by DallasGG on Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:58 am

Thanks for your responses. It was reassuring to hear that some of you were able to get back into the pool within 2-3 months, so my doctor's recommendation of 3 months sounds about right. He also told me that I can start going back to my gym to lift weights and do cardio after about 2 months so I'm looking forward to slowly getting back into that as well.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: How long before swimming after a stem cell transplant?

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:58 pm

Is sounds like you are doing really good with the post SCT recovery Kent. Good to hear you are doing well.