Is it safe to work out ?

[foreverthankfull26]

Hi I had my transplant 5 years ago I started working out lifting weights and doing sit-ups 1 month ago to lose some weight I’m worried about damaging the kidney anyone have any advice

[neet24]

you can workout but don't go for weights... I asked my doctor about this before he was strictly against weights even you can search on google there are many doctor advice on exercise and if you want to do weights asked your doctor first... that how much you can go for...

😊

[foreverthankfull26 in reply to neet24]

How long have you had your transplant

[neet24 in reply to foreverthankfull26]

yea its 3 yrs ago.... as i said ask your doctor first and my doctor doesn't have any prob with exercising only asked me not to go for weights... My bones are not that much powerful I think thats y as I was on dialysis before transplant and this is one of side effects of that... thats y ask doctor because they know about our reports and body more 🙂

[Alfredmynewkidney]

My dr told me I had no restrictions after 12 weeks. Up until then I had a 10- 20 lb restriction. Sounds like different doctors say different things. I'm on prednisone and use weights to help prevent bone loss. I had my transplant 16 weeks ago

[PostivelyJo]

I’m nearly 11 months post transplant and regularly lift 8/10 kg weights. Haven’t had any problems and wasn’t told not to.

[Lionkin]

I follow this famous one liner: "Diet is more powerful than exercise" in addition I walk 5/6 miles every day (which keeps all my joints mobile), For weights you need to get a recommendation from your team.

[Transplant314]

I am 16 months post transplant I started exercising at about six months aerobic and 20 pound weights. My doctor restricted lifting anything over 10 pounds for first four months.

[pops81]

I would repeat everything Alfredmynewkidey said in CAPITALS. Not is it only okay but exercise is important for the success of the kidney and your body. Something to remember is that the transplant is not a cure but a treatment for kidney disease. Our bodies are still under a certain level of stress from the KD and the meds we take to keep the transplant functioning properly and will be for our lifetime. Its our jobs to take the meds on time as prescribed, try to stick to a good diet, but to always be hydrated and in motion. A good exercise plan or program can help relieve some of that stress. Because of the transplant you do have to be careful of the exact exercise you are doing depending on where your graft is located. I would just let your transplant team know what it is that you like or want to do for exercise and that the movements are safe. I was walking the beach as soon as I got out of the hospital, riding my bike within a month or two later and just kept adding things. Look up resistance bands on the web or at a sports store. This is a good way of exercising the joints and muscle that is similar to weights but I find they are easy to use and less stressful on the joints as I have entered my silver years. It might even be a benefit to work with a Physical Therapist a couple of times. I just went through a bout of Sciatica during the lockdown and once I could go to appts I saw one for about six visits and could not believe how many basic exercises I was doing wrong at my age. Doing them correctly has had such a positive impact on my whole body, not just my back. I am sorry for the lengthy response but feel staying in motion through physical activity is so so very important. You see when I started those walks along the beach after my transplant, well that was late july 1981. My doctors dont know why but they think staying active has certainly contributed to the success of the transplant. good luck, stay well.

[Alfredmynewkidney in reply to pops81]

Congratulations!! That's great!!

[Lifechanger1]

I had transplant 6/2/2020. I started walking short distances outside two weeks after surgery. I am currently walking 1.5-2 miles every other day. I can’t explain how helpful it has been. I would love to get back to weight lifting, but my Dr. says no lifting more than 10 pounds. That will change in September and I will ask my Dr. what he thinks about increasing the limit from 10 pounds, based on my current recovery condition, and follow his advice. I sleep better, stress level is lowered and appetite is very good. I must remember that the slogan “no pain no gain”, is not the one to follow. Now if I feel any pain I stop what I am doing so I don’t wind up with another issue to deal with, like a hernia! I have been going to a gym since I was 16 years old. It always made me feel better both physically and mentally. I am now in my mid late 60s and went thru a difficult time getting very sick from failing kidneys due to PKD, and dialysis. So my advice is follow Dr. guidelines, ask advice like you are doing along with using common sense. Good luck!

[Alfredmynewkidney in reply to Lifechanger1]

I have PKD too. My transplant was 4/20/20. I am 53. I was lucky to skip dialysis. I am working full time and trying to lift weights 3 times a week. Move it or lose it my grandmother used to always say!!

[Drdetroit]

I'm 8&1/2 yrs post transplant. Taking prednesone all that time has weakened my bones & I now have osteoperosis . No lifting weights for me. Check with your transplant team

[Kbristow in reply to Drdetroit]

Hi. Did you transplant team tell you NOT to do weights because of your osteoporosis? I would think you SHOULD lift weights (whatever is a safe weight for you) to strengthen/sustain bone density.

[Drdetroit in reply to Kbristow]

Only light weights, repeditively. 5-10 lbs

[Vinca12]

I have my transplant over 45 years and and have been on Prednisone the entire time. Luckily I am not on any other medication for my transplant. I spent 2 years on dialysis before getting my transplant. Dialysis as well as Prednisone can affect your bones and joints so as time goes on you need to be careful exercising especially with weights. I am now 70 years old. Over the years I have exercised walking and some in the gym but with a trainer to help me stay safe. Now I exercise mostly in the pool. I can't wait for our local YMCA to restart the water slimnastic and power walking classes after COVID is gone. The pool is a great place to start exercising or to continue exercising if you are a senior like me. It reduces the stress on the joints, bones, and muscles. Check with your transplant team as to how much you can do.

[LisaSnow in reply to Vinca12]

45 years and still going strong? What a blessing! May I ask if you had ever experienced rejection? Was your donor a living donor?

[Jenny0604]

Hi foreverthankull26 I am 3 years post transplant and although I do not lift weights (but I'd like to start...I'm 47), I did run a half marathon last fall and felt great, and I'm not the most consistent runner all the time. I realize its not the same thing, but I checked with my doctors first and they were all for it as long as I kept well hydrated, more than the average runner. Our new kidneys allow us to do things in life we couldn't do before or were restricted from doing because of our previous health conditions before transplant. I'm all for doing what you feel your body can handle...I recommend checking with your doctors first and let them know what your goals are with the weights. Maybe they will be all for it with some recommendations on how to do it safely with your kidney in mind. I firmly believe moving and exercising are key to the longevity of our health and our new kidneys! Best of luck!