Overdone it!?

[Maudie19]

Second visit at a hydro pool, an hours drive away, physio exercises for nearly an hour and then drive back. (Used to go regularly before PMR but Covid brought it to an end.) That was 4 days ago and body and brain are feeling tired. No PMR pains just the two days after some backache. Do I continue not doing so much or stop? Going there is in prep for second knee replacement and trying to keep myself flexible. I'm 80 this year.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I used to do aquafit - but only at a level that didn't leave me exhausted. Everything you do in water takes 7x as much effort as doing the same thing on land. The drive is also a consideration when you have PMR but that is what it is,

I would ask to lower the intensity for the moment - I was able to increase the intensity as I got "into training". Another lady who had ME/CFS also did things at a lower intensity at first but she also rarely did the full hour - an unusual duration, most aquafit classes at the time were 45 mins. I don't think I ever stopped early - but I didn't do the class if I felt the water was too cool, that always affected me afterwards. I would try to keep going at a lower intensity first - it will improve soon if my experience was anything to go by.

[Maudie19 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, never thought about the effort needed in water. I think I may have discovered why I did too much. I am taking my husband and that requires more effort in making sure he is undressing, dressing etc, as well as supervising him in the water. He loves it and feels fine! I will have to make sure when he does 20 of every exercise I only do 10. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Maudie19]

No-one ever does until it is pointed out! And that does sound quite a heavy day out with the carer bit being on top of the pool work.

[Maudie19 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes you are correct. And that is the beauty of this Forum you can ask a question like that.

[piglette]

I think being able to use a hydrotherapy pool is fantastic. I would certainly carry on going even if I had to be carried there. You don’t have to over exert yourself, just take it easy.

[Maudie19 in reply to piglette]

Yes you are right. Must learn to do less! Thanks.