Do you exercise when on dialysis?

[kristina]

Hello,
I dialyze for 4 hours in the evenings three nights a week. After returning home late in the evening, I go to bed fairly quickly
and find that next morning I wake up with stiffness in my limbs, mainly the legs.
I thought this might be connected to a long period of almost complete inactivity from the outset of dialysis to waking up next morning.
I therefore started to do a few exercises at hourly intervals whilst dialyzing: leg movements like cycling
and arm-, head- and slight twisting movements.
This has helped a lot and my body does not feel so stiff next morning after dialyzing the evening before.
My question is, has anyone noticed this themselves and if, what sort of exercises do they do during dialysis ?
Thanks from Kristina.

[Michael Murphy]

I have heard of some centers that have a bicycle machine so you can pedal while on dialysis, the studies seem to show it helps patients.  However I go in the center at 6:00AM so with luck I will sleep for 2 of my 4 hour sessions.  This seems to make the seem shorter.  Other tan periodic leg lifts to help my knees I generally lie format till 5 minutes before I am due off then I sit myself up in the chair.  I started this when I started dialysis and two tiny nurses had to struggle to get my 150 kilo bulk out of the chair.  It took me three months to master the trick and even though I have lost 20 more kilos I still prefer to get my self up. 

[kristina]

Thank you Michael Murphy for your honest and kind reply.
Unfortunately there are no facilities like a bicycle-machine etc. in "my" dialysis-center,
but I have noticed that my gentle hourly exercises during each dialysis-session help a lot
to keep my body better "at ease" despite the whole upheaval of dialysis...
I congratulate you for losing 20 kilos and I send you my good luck wishes  ...
Thanks again from Kristina.

[Sugarlump]

I do get stiff from the hours I spend in the dialysis chair, as well as sitting on the sofa or in the car (all roughly the same position) but lately I have been going to a gym 3 times a week. It is a small gym, designed for people with less mobility or recovering from illness/surgery etc. They have 7 shapemaster chairs that you sit in, each one for 5 minutes, each which performs a different exercise and you can resist against the machine either a little or a lot to help... it gives you about 50 stomach crunches a 5 minute session on one machine!
Already I have lost weight on my waist and chest, and my legs are a bit stronger...but am definitely sleeping better (more relaxed) at night.

[kristina]

Well done Sugar!
Your way sounds so much easier and I am wondering whether I should not look out for such a small gym in my district...?
Meanwhile I shall continue with my hourly exercises whilst on dialysis...
Good luck and best wishes from Kristina.

[Sugarlump]

The best thing about it is the atmosphere, ungym like, a few similar people in each time I go, little music in the background and a bit of chat...
and NO lycra clad bodies making you feel inadequate!

[kristina]

Thanks again Sugar,
Your experiences certainly sound very attractive and I shall enquire about such a gym-possibility in my district...
Many thanks again from Kristina.

[JW77]

I do basic Quigong (Chi-Kung) seated exercises (having done classes for 4 years), even at home, it maybe simple hand, leg, foot movements but it doess improve circulation and they can be done seated on the machine.


Try to go for a walk every day when not on dialysis, or on dialysis days if Ive got the time. Or fly kites..  It soothes the soul!

[Sugarlump]

I've never flown a kite but I try to walk as much as I can each day.
I would like to take up ballroom dancing but my balance is not that good...
I am hoping to go to a gentle keep fit class in town soon. (Having music and other people is a boost)

[Michael Murphy]

I have two bad knees, where I prefer to exercise is in a pool or a lake, walking in water is great exercise,the resistance of the water gives you more of a work out but the water reduces the weight on your joints considerably , plus if you fall no problem.  You just have to keep track of how deep the water is but then swimming is good exercise too.

[PrimeTimer]

I have two bad knees, where I prefer to exercise is in a pool or a lake, walking in water is great exercise,the resistance of the water gives you more of a work out but the water reduces the weight on your joints considerably , plus if you fall no problem.  You just have to keep track of how deep the water is but then swimming is good exercise too.

You are spot on with this. Because it reduces the wear-n-tear on your bones and joints, swimming is also considered one of the best exercises to do for people with Fibromyalgia or Arthritis and the resistance against the water acts much like weight lifting in the way that it helps strengthen muscles. Maybe doing dialysis in the swimming pool is in the future (not).

[PrimeTimer]

Ever since I set/programmed all his favorites on the TV remote, my husband exercises his thumbs less and less during his treatments. I'll have to get on him about that. 

[kitkatz]

I am going to the gym at least once a week now to make myself stronger while I am being evaluated for transplant by Kaiser.
Now it is cooler in the mornings I am walking our rotunda dog and starting to ride my recumbent bike.