Eexcersise+Running

[instalukeyt]

Hello, I had my transplant a little bit over 4 months ago and everything is okay. But I was wondering what exercises can I do. Abs(stomach) workouts, upper body, legs... I would like to know what can I do. I still have The AV fistula in my left hand so is that a risk? I have a lot of energy now and want to use it.

[LisaSnow]

Yes energy from steroid and better GFR can be deceptive though, it is important to not work the ab too hard to allow healing of the nerve ending that surgery might have caused. Definitely build strength for the rest of the body just don't overdo it.

[Amyb93]

Hi! I had my transplant just over 5 months ago and i exercise everyday. Before i started exercising after surgery i made sure it was ok with my team. They only told me to do minimal abs like no direct abs workout because of the healing and could cause some kind of hernia in the abdomen near the kidney. I walk/jog a lot in the summer time. As for you fistula, again, i would ask my team to determine what are the risks if any and what type of excercise you should do that are appropriate for you.

[Pierre1967]

Hello. Walking 30 mins a day 5 days a week works really well.

[pops81]

Hi. Congratulations, due to the recent surgery you will want to get the ok from your Drs as to how to start out exercising. I think I can help with the fistula.

Since my transplant I was a coach for my son's baseball teams from LL to SR Babe Ruth, owned a couple of motorcycles and still mountain bike with my grandson when I can. I too was concerned about the safety of the fistula. My fistula is also on the left arm (my glove hand) and bruised it pretty good once in a while playing catch. Until I saw a kid (now years ago) in the batters box with some kind of wrist band protecting his arm facing the pitcher. I asked to look at it and within the guard is a molded piece of fiberglass that I was able to mold to my fistula. My fistula is on the inside of my arm so I bought a right handed guard and just reversed the insert. It has worked very well protecting my fistula and is extremely light weight. I use it for baseball practice still with my grandson and when biking, etc.. The product can be found on the "Evoshield" website and is called a protective wrist guard for under $25. I hope this helps, stay well.

FYI, Amyb93 is correct about the hernia...I was playing beach volley ball 30 days post transplant ( I was 22- it was the 80's, lol) and needless to say developed a hernia along the surgery site of the transplant. Eventually had to have it surgically corrected.

[AndrewT]

Dear instalukeyt,

Firstly Congratulations on your Transplant! You are, very clearly, 'Doing Well'. BUT, BE CAREFUL, especially with you 'Stomach Area'. NO TUMMY OR 'ABS' EXCERSISES!

I Fully Understand, that you, are 'Rearing To Go' but.... Slow Down, No Really! There is, or used to be, a GP Referral Scheme- for exactly 'this sort' of situation. I was Referred myself, albeit about a Year After my Transplant (I think this a Far Better 'Time Scale'). The Gym, that you are Referred to, will 'do' a full assessment- of your Physical Strength, Movement, Muscle Condition, Co-Ordination, along with the 'Condition' of your Scar. You will then be Given a Series, of exercises, and the Time that they should take. This is, very Regularly reviewed, and Your Own Input- how you feel etc- is, very much, considered. Changes in your Medication, will also be Considered, along with your 'Overall' Condition.

Assuming you Progress Well, which you should- if you don't Overdo it!-, then, after about a year, you will be 'Running' your own Exercise Programme- the Staff simply 'there' should you need them.

Sorry to 'pour cold water' on your aspirations, my friend, but YOU DO need to be careful! Maybe go for some Walks- though you will have to Wrap Up, at the moment....

If you want to Discuss this further, perhaps more Privately, then please do PM me. Sending my Very Best Wishes, for a, Happy New Year 2021.

AndrewT

[Lifechanger1]

Walking is best during recovery. I started walking 2 months before surgery, and now 7 months post surgery I am walking 2 miles every other day and feel great. My numbers are fantastic and blood pressure is constant 120/80! I’ve had my immunosuppressants lowered 3 times since surgery. I would love to go back to the gym but I am concerned about COVID. Just before surgery my creatinine was 12.78! And I was on dialysis 3 months prior to transplant due to COVID shutdown at hospital.

[CNeb]

After my transplant I walked everyday to promote healing and approximately a month after I started running. I did not do any ab work such as sit-ups. I think the binder the transplant center provided said to wait 6 months. 10 months later I ran a 10K race. No issues, just stay hydrated and the rule of thumb given was have an extra 500mL of fluids per 30 minutes of exercise to stay hydrated. Also noticed when I did runs of 6 miles or more the next day if labs were performed creatinine level was elevated a touch instead of 1.3 - 1.5 it may have gone to 1.8-2.0. Not a concern overall since post transplant they expected me to naturally be 2.0 due to the size of my living donor. So they'd ask me to had a day rest and do them again and I'd be fine.