Limited exercise....What can I do?

Cronniss · May 2015

So I have some medical issues which limits the types of exercises I can do. So that we all know what I'm dealing with and know what kind of exercises I might be able to do, here's what I have -

Seizures (classified as nocturnal, but can happen while I'm awake...I just fall asleep first)
Migraines (debilitating)
Headaches (near constant)

If the headache is too painful or too long lasting it will turn into a migraine, which in turn can trigger a seizure. Fun stuff, I know, but I've lived with them for almost 20 years now; but the situation I'm in is different. I'm becoming healthier and more active as I've lost weight, and all three of the conditions seem to by cycling out (which they seem to do about every 7 years or so).

Also, I've had the gastric sleeve done last September. I add this because this limits my calorie intake. While it helps with the weight loss, I can't "make up" any lost calories if I over-work myself. (Too much of anything is not good for you.)

So, here's what I can do:

Walk the dog (which I do most mornings)
Stretching exercises that do NOT include bending forward or backward

For stretching I use Disney's Fantasia: Music Evolved on the Xbox One. Here are a couple of videos of my workout:
Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven
OneRepublic - Counting Stars
I don't know if you can tell from the wireframe image in the video, but I try to go for full extension when I stretch. I also try to make it out a faster-paced Tai Chi or a martial arts form. (I have taken Karate Do and Okinawan Karate in the past, so I am familiar with the forms...if out of practice....and shape...hehe.

)

Soon I hope to go to a local martial arts studio for some Tai Chi classes. (I can't drive, so I have to talk my roommates into taking me.) Also, I'm looking at going back to college so I can get back to work. (I'm currently on Social Security Disability because of my condition, but I (may) have improved enough to where I can go back to work. But I can't do what I used to do - which was sit in front of a computer for 8-10 hours a day, as that will trigger all three of my conditions. So I have to learn something new.) When I go back to school (hopefully this Fall Semester), I'm going to take a swimming class for P.E. I'm also going to see if they have a ballroom dance class in their P.E. lineup too. If they do, I'll check into that as well.

I've also been thinking about adding wrist and/or ankle weights for when I walk or do my stretching workouts.

So there's what I am or will be doing.

Here's what I've tried or can't do...

I've tried aerobics - it about near killed me. Not so much the activity and keeping up. Yes, I got out of breath...but that was a good thing. No, I had a killer headache which quickly turned into a migraine. And that was at a beginner level.

Bicycling. Bikes are evil. They are the whole cause of my condition. (Which is a whole 'nother story. I'll post that on my blog on another day.) Suffice to say that I will not use a bike - stationary or otherwise. (Plus, I think I suffer from a mild myocardial infarction when I ride a bike for too long...but the doctors all say I'm fine. But I'm not when I get off of the bike and I've stopped pedalling.

Yoga. As I've said, I can't bend forward or backward. Doing so causes my headache to spike. Doing so for too long sets off a migraine. I don't know about you, but other than sitting I can't think of too many yoga positions where you don't lean or bend forwards/backwards. So that's out of the question.

As to weightlifting, I have to be careful about.....you guessed it - positioning. Making sure that I don't bend forward (or backward) too much.

So, does anyone have suggestions that I can add to my list of workouts? All my physicians say is "do what you think you can handle." Like that helps. How am I supposed to know what I can handle if I don't know what's out there?

(Quote from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams.)

RoxieDawn · May 2015

The doc is right.. do what you can do...

I had migraines for 20 years. I was on daily medication to combat onset, I took a cocktail of medications when I had an acute bout. I actually had a migraine that lasted 6 months and basically had migraines every week for 20+ years.

But now, since I have changed my diet, stopped all triggers, maintain stress levels and exercise I no longer take any medication as a matter of fact I still have thousands of dollars of meds in my cabinet..

The doctor is right about doing what you can and can't to bring on a trigger..

The doctor knows what you have, but does not know your limitations daily. He is telling you that you can do what you can up to your limitations, what ever that may be.. You will figure this out, but remember exercise that jars your head, or makes you sensitive to bouncing around in the lights, or heat, etc.. are up to you..

t8tersalad · May 2015

gia07 wrote: »

The doc is right.. do what you can do...

I had migraines for 20 years. I was on daily medication to combat onset, I took a cocktail of medications when I had an acute bout. I actually had a migraine that lasted 6 months and basically had migraines every week for 20+ years.

But now, since I have changed my diet, stopped all triggers, maintain stress levels and exercise I no longer take any medication as a matter of fact I still have thousands of dollars of meds in my cabinet..

The doctor is right about doing what you can and can't to bring on a trigger..

The doctor knows what you have, but does not know your limitations daily. He is telling you that you can do what you can up to your limitations, what ever that may be.. You will figure this out, but remember exercise that jars your head, or makes you sensitive to bouncing around in the lights, or heat, etc.. are up to you..

I feel for you OP! It sounds like you are on the right track.

I've had migraines for 18 years. This week I had a really bad one, which it still has my head in a fog today. I had one once that lasted 18 hours. They did a CT scan years ago. Everything was fine. I've tried Imitrex, Topomax, Aleve, Zomig, but they never stopped the migraine ...I still got one and still had to lay down for hours. Now I just use Goody's, seems to work the fastest, but I still have to lay down and avoid movement and lights / sounds. What did you remove from your diet? I've read dairy can be a really bad trigger. I'm trying to maintain stress. Any tips?

cheshirecatastrophe · May 2015

What about the elliptical? It's low impact, not a bike, and doesn't have you leaning forward. Also, for what it's worth, I've had seizures (not tonic-clonic/grand mals, though) while on the elliptical and am...not dead or injured from it.

Maybe also pool running? I'd go with a buddy on account of the szs, and maybe notify the lifeguard, but there's no reason you can't get wet. In your case I would make sure not to overlap at the pool with kiddie swim lesson time, though, due to shouting kids possibly triggering headaches.

Limited exercise....What can I do?

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