Chest Catheter and Exercise

[kitkatz]

I have a question. How much exercise can I do with this catheter in my chest? Nephrologist says anything I want.  I think not.

[carson]

I work out 4-5 times/week. I do weights (and I don't mean little girly weights either)and cardio, as well as some classes. I'd like to try yoga but I'm not flexible at all! The only thing I don't do is swim and I guess there's a pretty good reason for that otherwise I would! I ride my bike, walk my dog, ride my horse and if I had someone to play tennis with I'd try that too.
I find the secret is to let the line move with you. If you tape it or bandage it too tight it'll just hurt!

[edersham]

kitkatz,

I had a catheter for 2 1/2 months before tansplant. I love to play golf but at first I knew I coudn't play golf because the thing was kind of loose inside.  By the tine I got the transplant it felt firm enough that I think I could have and three weeks later when they took it out and I saw how much scar tissue they had to cut to get the thing out I know I could have.

Ed

[Restorer]

If I do too much, especially involving reaching up or around with my right arm (catheter's on my right side), I find that my collarbone gets sore where the tube passes over it. Reaching way up with my right arm can be uncomfortable sometimes, but not as much as when I still had the stitches in. Otherwise, I haven't had any problem with any other activities, but I haven't done anything strenuous.

One thing I'd be concerned about is too much sweating, in case it affects the dressing.

I do have to wear a shirt in bed sometimes, because the cat likes to lie on my chest on the catheter side.

[BigSky]

As long as you do not do anything that puts excessive risk at pulling it out and the cath doesn't irritate your heart when you exercise, most things should be ok in moderation.

[Trikkechickk]

When I had the neck catheter I continued w/weights (no girlie stuff either), cardio, power walking, bike, hike with no problems.  I did tape the dangling things to my chest so they wouldn't bounce around.

By the time I had the nasty thing removed, I had built up so much scar tissue (like saying - my body really grew attached to the thing) I needed lidocaine as it would not slip out w/out removing the scar tissue either.

[KICKSTART]

You want to exercise?  Gawd i can hardly drag myself around  I wish you lot would stop talking about having caths taken out ..mines been in for 12 months ! Mind you i did have a PD cath in for 6 years , so i should imagine its pretty much the same when it comes out ...half my body stuck to it 

[Stoday]

      

I'm glad I've got a fistula.

[staceyand joe92]

I was very active when I had my catheter. I took exercise classes and lifted weights. I walked on the treadmill. I use to be so worried about everyone seeing the catheter but after awhile it didn't seem to matter anymore.  I am a medical assistant so the dialysis center had no problem with me changing my dressing at home after I worked out. I agree with Carson that it is better not to tape it down or bandage it. The only thing the doc warned me about was getting it wet in the shower,tub or swimming. I am so thankful I stayed active while waiting for my transplant. I think it made a HUGE difference in my recovery time.

[Rerun]

Any chance to say "NO" to exercise I take.  So ..... NO!