Faricimab injections and exercise - Macular Society

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Faricimab injections and exercise

Birchermu profile image
28 Replies

I’ve just been diagnosed with wet AMD R eye - my long sighted eye I used to use for driving - sadly no more - and dry AMD L eye (shortsighted)

After each injection we are instructed to not do a variety of things including physical exertion for 5 days. No one has yet explained why no exertion and what is meant by physical exertion. Thoughts anyone? Thank you.

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Birchermu profile image
Birchermu
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28 Replies
Koalajane profile image
Koalajane

I have had Eylea injections, too many to remember, and the only things I have been told not to do is to get water in my eye when showering, washing my hair, not to go swimming and not to rub my eye after. I have never been told not to physically exert myself!

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to Koalajane

Thank you for replying. I’m in the UK and there doesn’t seem to be consistency in info from various hospitals online instructions post jabs. We are told no gardening either and am not sure there that’s because of bending over or from the spores infecting the eyes.

This website is so helpful with loads of my questions.

Caradog29 profile image
Caradog29 in reply to Birchermu

Hi, I’m in U.K., and have had a number of injections in both eyes for wet amd and radiation retinopathy. Never had “physical exertion” mentioned.

I wouldn’t worry too much about it and carry on as normal after 48 hours.

tallyho profile image
tallyho

it might be to do with BP being raised during exercise I don’t have AMD although I do have monthly injections never been told that but maybe due to my age as I am middle aged

RP1944 profile image
RP1944

Good morning Birchermu, I have had many injections for wet AMD and besides not getting the eye wet and rubbing it there have been no further instructions. I just try n keep the eye as sterile as possible and carry on as normal.

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to RP1944

Thank you! It’s helpful to hear other folk’s experiences. I’m 78 yrs but very sctuve so not exercising for 5 days every month is a hard call and is affecting my physical fitnesd too.

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to RP1944

Thank you for responding to my question.

MaleSharpie profile image
MaleSharpie

After my injections I have been instructed not to garden or be around anything that is dusty/dirty, or get water in my eyes to prevent infections. Exercising should not be strenuous to prevent increasing the pressure in your eyes. Rubbing your eyes will scratch the corneas. The time frame is 3 days.

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to MaleSharpie

Thank you…..your response appreciated…..but interesting time frame.

rigdog52 profile image
rigdog52

Wow Birchermu first I have heard of no exertion after an injection. I'm a power lifter and have been for years and doing 300 to 400 lb. lifts on the day of my injection and was never told not to.

Now I was told I had to stay off the steroids that was a must only thing I was told.

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to rigdog52

Hi rigdog52

I’m guessing you haven’t got wet AMD…..although I’m 78 I go to our sports centre x6 a week doing Zumba, toning and body conditioning. I just feel frustrated on the 5 days post injection but too scared not to obey the instructions.

rigdog52 profile image
rigdog52 in reply to Birchermu

Sorry I did not relay that to you , yes I do wet in the right eye and dry in the left for just over 3 years now and friends with 8 others in town that have injections every 7 to 10 weeks for longer than myself. They too have never been told about "no exertion". Interesting the different things we get from these Doctors

Seamus1 profile image
Seamus1

never heard of ‘no physical exertion’ I am on my 8 year of injections, up until a year ago having Eylea bi monthly. Then a year ago was put on Vabysmo, the results are astounding, my right eye has completely dried up and has been stable for some months, in fact I only go to the clinic 3 monthly. I am able to drive and only occasional wear glasses.

Do ask your Dr about Vabysmo. Good luck and stay positive

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to Seamus1

Thank you for responding. I’m having Vabysmo…. 4th injection in June. Will try to stay positive but hoping at least my condition will stabilise. I was told I won’t drive again which is harsh as the wet AND is in my driving eye. Thank you for your thoughts .

Rosalyn-helpline profile image
Rosalyn-helplinePartner

Dear Birchermu,

I have copied a related link from our Macular Society website for you:

macularsociety.org/support/...

Kind regards,

Macular Society Helpline

0300 3030 111

help@macularsociety.org

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to Rosalyn-helpline

Thank you…… very helpful indeed.

Bluey22 profile image
Bluey22

Hi I have just been diagnosed with wet in my left eye and dry in my right. I had my first injection 10 days ago and read that no actitivity that causes pressure for 7 days, which I believe includes yoga and pilates (as bending forward) and sadly no swimming.

I am struggling with it all but I am sure it will get less scary the more injections that you have.

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to Bluey22

That’s interesting Bluey22……I had in idea re bending forward post injection. I did do quite a bit of bending after my first injection as decided to clear out a desk at floor level whilst on my no exertion regime for 5 days. . I suffered x2 retinal migraines in one day (so maybe this was why), unless they were caused by the stress of the whole diagnosis bit, and my first visit to hospital eye dept which was so very busy, like an airport departure area. I have been very careful since then. Nervous about doing Pilates and assumed Yoga not possible.

Wishing you all the best.

GavinM profile image
GavinM in reply to Bluey22

After 6 years and 31 injections at Moorfields this is news to me. I swim a kilometer three days a week.

Bluey22 profile image
Bluey22

I read about the exercise in the booklet I was given at Spa Medica, I think as my first injection and feeling a little anxious with it all I followed any information to the letter, I have a very hairy big dog so even wore safety googles for the first few days....i may be a little paranoid !!

Magsofkent profile image
Magsofkent

I attend Moorfields never been told any of these restrictions only water in eyes for a day and obviously no gardening next day because of germs. I try to forget about it all carry on normally after. Never been told anything about bending and exercise

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to Magsofkent

Thank you. It’s crazy the inconsistency in info. Have you wet AMD like me?

Magsofkent profile image
Magsofkent in reply to Birchermu

Yes I have been having injections every month had them all at present I'm on Vabysmo which is thicker tends it give more bubbles my other eye is on the verge of becoming wet.

GavinM profile image
GavinM in reply to Magsofkent

Likewise.

GavinM profile image
GavinM

I've never been told that by Moorfields. I swim a kilometer three days a week and do quite physical work 5 days a week but still achieve 6/6 acuity. Is there a reason you know of for doing otherwise fir 5 days?

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to GavinM

Hi Gavin

Have you wet AMD like me and having Faricimab injections? I am following the printed instructions I was given which encompass all eye IV injections. The optometrist asked a dr last time when I queried the 5 days and told me at least 3 days but no one has clearly defined physical exertion. My pressures are ok but maybe there is concern they rise post injection?

Thank you for responding to my post.

GavinM profile image
GavinM

Hi Birchermu,I've been on Eylea for wet AMD in the right eye for 7 years and have 6/6 vision. The left eye went downhill rapidly two weeks ago and I've just had by first Eylea in the left. I think written precautions often cover just a tidy percentage of patients but they do it to be on the safe side. My pressure is never above 10 so nothing to worry about there. They are very keen though that I use the lubricating eye drops every hour until finished., which is many days!

Birchermu profile image
Birchermu in reply to GavinM

thank you Gavin. I’m learning a lot from this website

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