Hello all the bikers, joggers, and otherwise 'active' myeloma fighters,
I just completed my 4 weeks of RVD [Revlimid, Velcade, and dex], with the last week being my week off from Revlimid. I start the second month of treatment tomorrow.
I am anxiously waiting for the kappa and lambda numbers from the lab (via the oncology department), but the blood test results already show the expected significant drop in my hemoglobin, and I can feel my physical energy ebbing, even on this day before the dex and Velcade. This used to be my "feel normal" day.
I am planning on light exercises to avoid clots, for sure. And I am also planning on finishing a lot of paperwork-related projects – taxes, wills, etc. – and also many projects related to my movie making (from the videos of the grandsons growing up), autos, and projects related to workshop and other gadgetry. My routine real estate management routine will keep me challenged, too.
I would appreciate any advice on how to keep my physical activities going during the next two months.
K_Shash
Moderator's Note - This posting originally was made to the discussion on "Biking with multiple myeloma." However, it seemed better to make it the lead posting in a separate discussion of its own.
Forums
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K_Shash - Name: K_Shash
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
Just keep moving as much as you can. Learn to breath rhythmically and pace yourself to your breathing. Works for me!
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Salzmav - Name: Salzmav
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
Hi K_Shash,
I think you might be having larger fatigue effects from RVD induction therapy than I did. I worked full time through it, ran 3-6 miles in the morning 3 or 4 days a week, and rode a stationary bike for 30 minutes a night 3 or 4 times a week. Both the running and bike riding were at a slower pace than I'd done before starting treatment.
One of the things I found is that, if I felt tired in the evening but forced myself to go down in the basement to ride the bike, most of the time I felt a ton better after the ride. Having said that, since I worked from home most days, sometimes I would take a quick catnap in the afternoon if I felt especially tired, and that helped.
For me throughout all of my treatment, a huge goal has been to keep things "as normal" as possible.
Salzmav sums it up well - just keep moving!
Mike
I think you might be having larger fatigue effects from RVD induction therapy than I did. I worked full time through it, ran 3-6 miles in the morning 3 or 4 days a week, and rode a stationary bike for 30 minutes a night 3 or 4 times a week. Both the running and bike riding were at a slower pace than I'd done before starting treatment.
One of the things I found is that, if I felt tired in the evening but forced myself to go down in the basement to ride the bike, most of the time I felt a ton better after the ride. Having said that, since I worked from home most days, sometimes I would take a quick catnap in the afternoon if I felt especially tired, and that helped.
For me throughout all of my treatment, a huge goal has been to keep things "as normal" as possible.
Salzmav sums it up well - just keep moving!
Mike
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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: How to stay physically active during treatment?
One thing that I did while in the hospital for my transplant was to stay out of bed, standing up as much as possible. You know those bedside "trays on wheels" that they use to serve meals in hospital rooms? I found that I could raise mine up enough so that I could put my laptop on it and stand while using it. One of my doctors commented that he thought that was a great idea. Perhaps you can set something similar up at home to use while going through those documents and such?
Apart from that, I agree that just moving as much as possible is a good idea. Take walks, long or short, whenever the weather allows.
Apart from that, I agree that just moving as much as possible is a good idea. Take walks, long or short, whenever the weather allows.
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
My husband has maintained a scaled back gym routine to keep himself active. I'd say his inability to work out the way he did pre-diagnosis is one of his top down-sides to this whole cancer business. Similarly, one of his big concerns for his future is that he won't be able to go back to the same level of exercise. He likes lifting weights (heavy) and road cycling. I've read the biking thread with great interest and it gives hope that he'll get back out on his bike. However, I think the risk to his bones may keep him from the heavy weights. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else on here has experience in this regard.
K_shash - My husband is fatigued on the RVD and has had to lay off the gym when he is too tired or if work and hospital visits take up his time. But he does push himself even through the fatigue sometimes and similar to Mike, it helps. Also, 3 cycles into RVD, he has more energy than he did one month in - hope you see that soon too.
K_shash - My husband is fatigued on the RVD and has had to lay off the gym when he is too tired or if work and hospital visits take up his time. But he does push himself even through the fatigue sometimes and similar to Mike, it helps. Also, 3 cycles into RVD, he has more energy than he did one month in - hope you see that soon too.
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EF11 - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
EFF11,
I would be careful with the weights. Most docs will tell you to limit lifting to 5 pounds. That seems a bit too cautious to me, at least if there no significant bone issues, but I have seriously scaled back the weightlifting and your husband should be careful with that.
I would be careful with the weights. Most docs will tell you to limit lifting to 5 pounds. That seems a bit too cautious to me, at least if there no significant bone issues, but I have seriously scaled back the weightlifting and your husband should be careful with that.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
Goldmine848,
Bummer, but thanks for confirming. His myeloma specialist - a petite woman - said up to 25 lbs, and my husband just gaped at her in disbelief and explained that he normally benches >300 lbs (136 kg) (then it was her turn to gape
). We weren't sure if that was for just short term post transplant, or the forever more.
Are the bones still fragile when the disease is in remission?
Bummer, but thanks for confirming. His myeloma specialist - a petite woman - said up to 25 lbs, and my husband just gaped at her in disbelief and explained that he normally benches >300 lbs (136 kg) (then it was her turn to gape
). We weren't sure if that was for just short term post transplant, or the forever more. Are the bones still fragile when the disease is in remission?
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EF11 - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
For what it's worth, I started a gym routine for the first time in my life right after my stem cell transplant. It was done through a group here that offers free, ten-week, small group exercise classes for anyone coming off of cancer treatment. My doctor was fine with it.
I've been doing various resistance and weight-related exercises since (although nothing remotely close to benching 300 lbs). Perhaps what the doctor recommends would depend on how much bone damage has been done?
I've been doing various resistance and weight-related exercises since (although nothing remotely close to benching 300 lbs). Perhaps what the doctor recommends would depend on how much bone damage has been done?
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: How to stay physically active during treatment?
During my initial treatment (VRD), I kept doing the same workouts (swimming, biking and weights) as I had been doing prior to my diagnosis.
Fortunately, I didn't have any bone damage, so I didn't have to worry too much while lifting weights. I will say, though, that I'm not a weight lifter in the 300 lb weight lifting category. My weight workouts are more like lifting a couple times a week with the weight machines at my gym, nothing super intense, just enough to stay toned. The same goes for my swimming (a mile swim a couple times a week) and biking 3-4 times a week (up to 15 miles), weather permitting, not super intense. I also try to listen to my body, and if I'm feeling particularly tired on a given day, I will go a little easier that day.
EF11: As others have said, it would be wise to check with your doctor and ask him about the weightlifting.
Fortunately, I didn't have any bone damage, so I didn't have to worry too much while lifting weights. I will say, though, that I'm not a weight lifter in the 300 lb weight lifting category. My weight workouts are more like lifting a couple times a week with the weight machines at my gym, nothing super intense, just enough to stay toned. The same goes for my swimming (a mile swim a couple times a week) and biking 3-4 times a week (up to 15 miles), weather permitting, not super intense. I also try to listen to my body, and if I'm feeling particularly tired on a given day, I will go a little easier that day.
EF11: As others have said, it would be wise to check with your doctor and ask him about the weightlifting.
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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: How to stay physically active during treatment?
As for the question related to how long heavy lifting is restricted: The general consensus is that the bone damage is never repaired, and so the restrictions are lifelong. Some have suggested that, with long-term remission and use of bisphosphonates, some of the damage can be repaired, but there is no strong evidence to support substantial healing. As others have mentioned, the extent of bone damage is highly variable, and your doc should be the guide.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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