Question about exercise with weights

Erin · 05-14-2007, 09:02 AM

Hello Ladies,
New question of the day for you (lol)!

I have been a life-long exerciser - running (back in the day when my joints could take it) treadmill, elypical, free-weights, machines.....even taught aerobics for 7 years. As you can see from my signature, I had 3 nodes removed - all negative.

Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as the TCH is concerned, I am thinking about resuming my work-out schedule (2-3x per week cardio, 2-3x per week weights). Should I be concerned about weights on the bc side as it relatest to the possibly development of lymphademea? I REALLY need the exercise, as I am of English and Irish extraction and without regular weight work my muscles just seem to melt into jelly. I also have a family history of osteoporosis, all the more reason to be doing weight-bearing exercise.

Any advice?

Kim in CA · 05-14-2007, 11:04 AM

Dear Erin,

I can only give you advice from my own personal "one rat study".

As you can see from my signature I am a stage IV and still here! One of the things I have done during my whole time fighting breast cancer is continue to exercise.

My passion is horseback riding and just two years ago I took up endurance riding. I ride regularly about 25 miles a week, not to mention all the work that goes into taking care of my two horses.

This Saturday I competed in a ride that just kicked my BUTT! Miles and miles of steep hills. This was my new horse's first endurance ride so I got off and jogged alot of the steep sections (both up and down) to give him a break.

Today I can hardly walk, but I am on Cloud Nine because we completed that ride. (dead last, but we completed!)

In answer to the lymphedema question. I regularly lift heavy hay bales and tote buckets of heavy water with my BC arm and have never had any issues. My doctor is aware of all that I do and has never told me to stop, so I guess he feels it is better to keep doing whatever it is that makes us tick.

I don't know how long I will be NED this time, but I believe that the more I exercise and the stronger I become, the more fight I will have in me the next time I have to go on Chemo.

So, don't know if that answers your question, but knock on wood, it's what works for me!

Kim in CA

romo9 · 05-14-2007, 05:50 PM

Dear Erin everyone is different of course -but I continued my cadio workout (for shorter duration) throughout my chemo and radiotherapy and went back to full time when I had finished treatment. I had an axillary clearance and radiation to my axilla which caused alot of breast oedema( which is not really the same as lymphoedema developing in your arm.) It has taken 2 years for this to subside but has not completely gone. I also started back on weights and pushups but was more concerned about damaging my shoulder than lymphoedema so I have taken up pilates instead as I felt there was more control involved and use heavy springs!
Personally I think the pumping action of the cross trainer helps the lymph return!!
I also have developed osteopenia and the physio who I do pilates with is hoping for a steadying of my bone density with her "heavyweight" regime!
Romo

Becky · 05-14-2007, 06:34 PM

Dear Erin

Like Kim, I have horses (4 at home) and do all the heavy work. As for weights, I have heard to start out slow (low weight and not a lot of repetitions) and work up. Unlike the past - where you would be told no way, the new thinking (like roma said) is that it helps the lymph fluid return to circulation. But be careful and go slow. Never exhaust your affected arm with too much, too soon. Don't go with the no pain, no gain rationale. I had 2 fingers swell (but it subsided and never returned) from packing my house for a move a year ago. The unpacking of the kitchen did me in with all the repetitive movements of unwrapping and putting away (but it was too much in a week's period and way different from starting a cautious work out program). I work out with light weights now but only to improve running times.

Take care

Linda · 05-14-2007, 10:10 PM

Hi Erin. Good to send a message to you again. I've worked out with weights and been a runner most of my life, so I couldn't wait to get back (and I had all of my axillary nodes removed.) I'm 2 years from dx. I'm back to my old workout. I've had no lymphadema.
I started slowly, just like the others said, first with the stretching exercises, then very light barbells (1 or 2 pounds). Eventually, I got back to my pre bc workout and I now work both arms equally. It took about 8 months of gradual training. My surgeon told me not to put weight on top of my surgery shoulder -- that was the only thing he told me not to do (he thinks the lymph reroutes) Who knows.... So, I don't do squats or anything that rests a barbell on my shoulders. And I don't carry a heavy purse or backpack on that side. But I do every other kind of weight work out -- machines, free weights, whatever.
It feels great to be strong again. Good for the head. Good for everything! You'll be amazed how your body can recover. It just takes time. You'll know when you need to go slow and when it's time to push your body again.
L

DonnaD · 05-15-2007, 05:40 AM

Hi Erin,
First, hang in there you are almost done!!!!! I have two treatments of radiation left. What a celebration we will have!

I have been exercising again for the last two months, right after I finished chemo. My surgeon is the one making the calls (I had two levels of lymph nodes removed). He said to start out slowly and did okay weights. I feel so much better walking and doing some resistance training. I use hand weights only from 2 to 8 pounds. So far no problems.

Good luck.
Donna