Exercise and BFS: Feedback Needed

[neySueSid567]

A question to BFSer's...

Do you find that exercise helps the fasciculations and BFS symptoms or does it make them worse ? I'm curious what type of exercise you do and if you incorporate stretching.

Would love some feedback as I've turned into a slug since this BFS stuff began in January (when I was exercising a lot) and am axious to bet back into an exercise routine but worry about making twitches worse.

Thanks!

 

[Dennie2013]

Hi, Susan. You ask a very interesting question, one that I've thought about quite a lot. Yes, I've had the experience that my fascics seem to become more active in muscle groups after I've exercised them (but not during exercise). By after, I mean in the next 24 hours or so. For example, after a strenuous bike ride I might notice more fascics in my hamstrings, quads, and buttocks; after lifting weights I might notice more in my shoulders. But, so what? Exercise is good for you for lots of reasons, including it helps alleviate the anxiety that many of us BFSers suffer from. I think you should go ahead and exercise anyway, whatever the impact, if any, on the twitching. I'm just grateful that I don't have a neurological condition that prevents me from doing the physically active things I've always enjoyed. Would be interested in reading other posts on this subject.

 

[fractlFrenzy]

I find that exercise doesn't really effect my twitches at all. Every time I exercise I seem to enjoy it so much more than before as I realise that I still have my strength. I don't tend to take for granted the fact that dispite my twitching I am healthy! However, I have found that regular exercise lowers the amplitude of a minor tremor that I have. When I am physically fit, my tremor tends to be near on non existant.

I agree with Annie, that you should go ahead and exercise! It definately helps to lower your stress level, which could in turn, help control your twitching. [/list]

 

[LisaKaD]

I agree with Annie. I find that after exercising the twitches get worse but then seem to subside. I used to run quite a bit but for now I have switched to biking and swimming. Even if there is increased twitching I think that the benefit from exercising is worth it.

 

[Alonzo]

A common side affect with many BFS'ers is "exercise intolerance" which basically means that when some people with BFS try to exercise, they get worse symptoms, cramping and fatigue pretty badly. Also basic aching that is more than the normal exercise "burn" and it can last for several days. Most people with BFS report increased twitching in muscles that were just exercised or stretched. You'll hear a lot of people say that when they stretch, it sets-off twitches in the muscles for a few seconds and sometimes for a few minutes. That is all normal for BFS.

 

[Mia]

I can relate to everything that Aaron wrote. On some days, the smallest amount of exercise, even daily chores such as dishes, can leave me feeling exhausted and achy. On other days, I'm fine (but not ready for major exercise). When fatigued from exercise, I find that resting goes a long way. Sometimes I can rest for as little as an hour or two, and then be full of energy. Othertimes, I will feel exhausted for a couple of days. Regardless, the fatigue always seems to end and a burst of energy takes over. Even if exercise does exhaust me, I feel better (when the ensuing fatigue is gone). I am always very twitchy after exercising, but I never feel it during exercise.

 

[GypsyDuBois]

Yeah me too Jen, Im exhausted after excersising, I flop on the couch for at least 30 minutes close my eyes and just relax, but I feel better and energised after that rest, excersise is good for the mind body and soul its a must to keep healthy so Im doing it regardless of how I feel ! Im always stiff after excersise specially my calf muscles, I havent noticed any twitching during excersising but soon as I rest its there doing its thing somewhere in my body usually my legs...

Deb

 

[Mia]

I never feel the twitches during exercise either. My calfs, thighs, and forearms get stiff too. Oddly, it's usually only one calf, or one thigh, or one arm. Not very symetrical. I agree about exercise being very important. Now that I've got the exercise/twitching/fatigue/rest "cycle" figured out, I can put more energy into exercising and spend less time wondering what is going on with my body. Understanding what is going, and talking to others about it, really helps!

 

[JerseyMom]

I recently went back to a low impact aerobics class after a year off worrying about my health. My muscles don't twitch while exercising either, but sometimes twitch more when I sit down afterwards, usually in the calf or thigh. The muscles also feel stiff. Like you, Jen, I find that its usually more in one spot.

 

[Mia]

Well, my attempts at aerobic exercise over the last 2 weeks were not a complete success. Sigh. I've been having terrible problems with bursitis in both of my hips this year, and it's flaring up again . I have compensated, however, by being as active as possible with my everyday tasks and such. I'm wearing a tread on my stairway because I don't hesitate to go up/down stairs to fetch this or that and I've been taking short walks. Overall, I'm feeling much better and much less fatigued ) . I'm just very happy to be moving again. I'm looking forward to doing something a bit more demanding as my hips regain their strength.