[mamabear]

#1064089

Your Dr. should know this. Tell him exactly what you are doing and what it is causing when you do it and ask him if it is normal. Being that this has something to do with your heart there is no better advice I can give other than to ask Dr. You know your body and he knows your numbers. You know your weaknesses and he knows your limits. Maybe gradually doing it in baby steps might work better. But first speak with him!

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[Bobbi]

#1064090

Exercise can be a problem from more than one perspective. Yes, th eheart works too fast, and exercise could put added stress on your already stressed heart. But also, while we are hyperthyroid, we LOSE muscle mass, and the muscles themselves do not function normally. You need to be very careful, and listen to your body. You might not think you are doing too much, but if you are feeling problems, pay attention to them, and back the exercise down a notch or two. When you have stabilized AT normal levels of hormone, you will find that you can work back up to what might be normal levels of exercise for you, but you wil have to work up to them. When I first started exercising again, I could only use small paperback books as "weights" for my arms at first. I gradually got up to real weights, but my muscle loss was such that I couldn’t expect the same weight as I might have used 8 months before. So, listen to your body.

[pinky35]

#1018334

I got so many helpful responses to my last post, thought I’d ask another one. At my last endo appoinment, I asked him how Grave’s effects exercise, because I’ve been having a really tough time with exercise the last 3 months or so. Mainly, I get nauseous, dizzy, lightheaded and just overall muscle weakness. I am not the most in shape individual, but had been exercising previously and not having these problems.
So–he tells me it’s the heart rate going too high too quickly (I am also having on-going palpitions a LOT during the day). I am now on beta blockers, and my heart rate is completely fine when exercising.
Except, I still feel really bad when I go to the gym. Like I am walking in mud- my muscles are just weak and I am so incredibly hot (which I assume is the Grave’s, but I’m also in Texas so it IS hot).

Just wondering if this is normal? What is the best way to approach exercise? I am not one who has lost weight from Grave’s and am already overweight, so exercise helps me, if I can do it safely.

This diagnosis is brand new for me- so I’m sorry if the question is repetetive.

[Ellen_B]

#1064091

Just a repeat of what is being said but I will say it anyway. According to Dr. Douglas Ross, Co-Director, Thyroid Associates, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, “Abnormalities in thyroid function have profound effects on the muscles. Hyperthyroidism is associated with muscle wasting and reduced muscle mass. There is also reduced efficiency of muscle contraction. This results in proximal muscle weakness in thighs and upper arms."
A confirmation you are doing the right thing by checking with your doctor to find out what exercise is recommended for you.

Ellen Brightly
Administrative Assistant
Graves’ Disease Foundation
400 International Drive
Williamsville NY 14221
Toll-free — (877) 643-3123
Email: Gravesdiseasefd@gmail.com
Website: http://www.NGDF.org

[ewmb]

#1064092

Ellen,
Thank you so much for posting this information. It really helps explain what I have experienced over the course of my illness. I thought that I was loosing my balance but I think it really is the muscle contraction problem in my upper legs. I have had fibromyalgia for years but these feelings are not anything like that. I am slowly working on getting my muscles back into shape now that I am almost euthyroid on replacement hormone after RAI last year. Anyone know anything about supplements/diet to help with muscle rebuilding. I am already taking calcium, magnesium and Vit. D3. I know that protein can be important but I don’t eat a lot of meat.

ewmb

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