I've been really sick for about a month. Ear infection, bad cold, etc. I just can't seem the shake the thing and it comes back. I love to exercize but am afraid if I start back too soon my body won't heal.

Does anyone know how long I should wait? I feel good, but still have some lingering stuffiness/drainage (sorry to be gross!). I've got a great treadmill and would like to start Tae Bo really soon.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Suzanne (Atkins - 1/9/04)
195/178/135 - 5'3"

"Happiness is not a destination, but a manner of traveling." - unknown

IF you are generally feeling ok, there is no reason to hold back. If you start and something hurts, stop! But you should probably start slowly.

Monica

I've been having similiar symptoms because of sinus problems. I do take something for the congestion which makes me feel a lot better while I exercise, but I need extra rest. I figure the healthier I am from eating right and exercise the more quickly I will heal or hopefully not get as sick. Listen to your body though and don't go all out if you just don't have the stamina, do just a bit.

Make sure you drink 1/2 your weight in oz of water and get lots of rest!! Hope you feel better soon.

Here is the basic rule of thumb: exercise during a cold will actually get you over the cold faster. But you should NEVER exercise when you are having any kind of G.I. illness (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) or an upper-respiratory infection (bronchitis or pneumonia).
AND YOU SHOULD NEVER, EVER EXERCISE AFTER TAKING A DECONGESTANT!!!!
Sorry for the all-caps, but it's amazing how many people don't know this. It can actually be deadly and they REALLY need to put this in BIG, BOLD letters on the box (Sudafed and the like).

Like Monica said, take it slowly and rest often. Don't do anything that *hurts* and STOP if you feel faint or really weak.
Just try to do a little each day until you are feeling back up to par... no sense in pushing it to the point where you will prolong your illness.
HTH,

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
__AND YOU SHOULD NEVER, EVER EXERCISE AFTER TAKING A DECONGESTANT!!!!__
Sorry for the all-caps, but it's amazing how many people don't know this. It can actually be deadly and they REALLY need to put this in BIG, BOLD letters on the box (Sudafed and the like).
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Summer, can you tell us a little more about this? Is it pseudoephedrine specifically, or the other drugs as well? I googled "decongestant exercise" and "decongestant exercise danger" and didn't come up with any really informative hits right away.

Laurelyn

LC Links

I've never heard of that. I told my Doc about the exercise and he prescribed the meds for my sinus problem. I am going to see him at the end of the month, I'll bring it up for sure.

Most DECONGESTANT's raise the bloodpressure, therefore if you are taking them while exercising, you could have problems.

What Monica says is true, but they can also cause rapidly rising heart rates and heart palpitations -- especially if you have been sick.

My husband was taught this when he was in medical school. Up until then, he had always exercised while taking decongestant (yes, pseudoephedrine is the danger) as he has terrible sinus problems. Now if he's going to work out, he sticks to saline spray or just waits until after his workout to use something.

When he was doing his junior rotations, he actually saw complications from someone doing this.
It really can be deadly -- even if you have never had trouble with it before. It's one of those *luck of the draw* things that you never really know when it will hit...

HTH,
Summer

Thank you for the details, Summer. I tend to want to resist if I don't have specifics. LOL.

Hey, that's cool. I'm the same way.

I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't seen my dh do a total *about-face*!

Summer

Thank you Lawbooks!

I will definately NOT take ANYTHING for my congestion prior to working out.

Thank you everyone for your input. It's so great to have you all to rely on!

I've never used the saline, but I've just recently purchased some on the advice of my mother-in-law. I'll try that prior to working out.

Thanks again!

Suzanne (Atkins - 1/9/04)
195/178/135 - 5'3"

"Happiness is not a destination, but a manner of traveling." - unknown