Achy joints and Exercise During/Post Chemo Treatment

I saw my GP, got a Health Plan and started seeing a Sports Physiologist. I go 3 times a week for a half hour session and try to also keep active in general. 
I find going to the sessions really help. I feel stronger and it's good for me mentally to do something positive. I find I sleep better on the days I go and also generally have a bit more enthusiasm to get up and do things :)

Thanks @Glemmis. Looks like I'm starting from the beginning again. Slowly but surely 

Hi @Melsie97, I had to drop my weights a bit doing pump classes compared to what I was doing before BC but have been adding about every 2 weeks.  I don't think there is a weight limit, just go with what you are comfortable with & build up.  I have done 19 out of 25 radio sessions & can feel very tight across chest if I haven't exercised for a few days. 

I miss the gym. I've gone from going to the gym 6 days a week with 2 personal training sessions to just going for walks. All that hard work I did to strengthen my back and hips has gone by the wayside. I have a burning sensation from what I think are my muscles across my upper abdomen/rib cage. 
Ive just started Radiotherapy so another 6 weeks before I can try to get back to the gym. Does anyone know if there is a weight limit for the arm you have had a Mastectomy and axillary clearance on, or is it just starting slow and building it up? 

There is also a booklet through BCNA you can order or download.

https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/booklets-and-fact-sheets/#Exerciseandbreastcancer

I tried to exercise throughout but didn't do much at all in my last 2 weekly cycles, I had 16 chemo cycles.(ACT-H ) I went to a hydro pool a couple of days a week and even slow walked on a treadmill when I could for at least 10 to 20 mins every second day if unable to get to the pool. My speed got slower and slower...I literally felt like I was walking in cement. And I too had neck aches. I was worried it was from too much resting. ..but I honestly believe it to be chemo mainly.

From next week on you will probably start to have more energy back but find you tire quickly. I needed a nap daily. I foubd my walk speed suddenly improved. 

I still needed reconditioning. ..despite continuing some exercise through treatment. (Nothing like my 6 days week though ) so I started small. Short walks of 10 mins...enough to get your heartrate up. Every few days either try for another 5 minutes or alternatively do it twice a day. I went back to work for 4 hours a day 5 days a week...which was hard. I tried to move around a lot at work and once hours went up walked at lunch time. ..just to improve my fitness.

I can now pretty much do a 40 minute workout but find I get tired after and it can last for days. That is what I have to be careful of. Getting that balance right is still hard. But if we don't push ourselves just a bit...we never improve. I still only do 3-4 days of structured exercise as well as work 4 days a week...but I'm getting there,  7 months on.

You might find this interesting. I'm using this concept to push my fitness up.

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4319131.htm

An exercise physiologist most definetly will help. Plus there is the  YWCA encore program and Redfern Gyms have a program for post bc patients also if there is one in your area.

http://www.ywcaencore.org.au/

Hi @au0rei, my radiation oncologist told me to keep up the exercise during radio to stretch the muscles across the chest as radio tightens them as well. You could get your care plan now & use it when you feel up to it.

Glemmis said:

Hi @au0rei, I had 16 rounds of chemo & exercised all way through but I was a big exerciser before I was diagnosed so that helped. After I had mastectomy I was walking & started back at gym about 2 months later. I took some time to heal as had seroma & staph infection. I am having radio now & back to running.  It really helped with muscle stiffness & aching as chemo shortens your muscles. Maybe try some gentle yoga or Pilates to start & also you can get a referral through the GP for a care plan to an exercise physiologist who will put you on the right pathway.  

Oh thanks lovely. I sure think having exercised and having a fitter body to start with is better for chemo. I hardly exercised before BC except for walks with my old dog. Thanks so much, that's what I am going to do, will see a GP for that! Should I only do that after radiotherapy as that is most likely what comes next? xxx

Hi @au0rei, I had 16 rounds of chemo & exercised all way through but I was a big exerciser before I was diagnosed so that helped. After I had mastectomy I was walking & started back at gym about 2 months later. I took some time to heal as had seroma & staph infection. I am having radio now & back to running.  It really helped with muscle stiffness & aching as chemo shortens your muscles. Maybe try some gentle yoga or Pilates to start & also you can get a referral through the GP for a care plan to an exercise physiologist who will put you on the right pathway.