weight training with a working fistula

[tiredandthirsty]

does anyone weight train with a working fistula?  meaning lift weights at a gym, you are on D, hemo, fistula.  if so, what kind of regimen do you follow and how much if you do limit yourself to lifting? 

[Rain]

I lift weights all the time.  I have an upper arm fistula and it has actually made it stronger.. 

Free weights 5-10lb per arm
Weight machines any where from 40-70 lb.  The important thing that doctor told me is don't strain yourself.  if you feel like you have to strain to keep the weight drop the weights its bad for your arm.  do more reps at a lower weight.

[tiredandthirsty]

thank you very much Rain for your response.  the folks here at my clinic scare me all the time sayiing dont't lift anything with your left arm (where my fistula is near the wrist).  and i have to gain weight (the neph wants me to put some on, especially on the legs.  i have lost 22 lbs since this started) so i wanted to start lifting the way i used to.  but i wanted to get someone's opinion first.

thanks for taking the time to respond.

[ChrisEtc]

I lift weights regularly, I have an upper arm fistula.  A lot of people told me the don't lift more than five pounds BS but after I had my fistula humming along for a few months my doctor said the lifting was no problem, he gave me no restrictions.  At first I started with circuit training, light weights and lots of reps.  Now I do 2 warm up sets and 2 work sets for bench press, military press, skull crushers, rows, bicep curls, squats, and dead lifts.  My muscles need a lot of recovery time still so I work out with weights about twice a week and do cardio of some sort three times a week.  I've been doing it with some week long breaks from time to time for about a year maybe.  After working out regularly for several weeks in a row I kind of break down from fatigue and need time to regroup.  When I first started it was exhausting and I would throw up a lot but I have definitely improved my strength and conditioning.  It's very slow however, your body just doesn't respond the same way before the kidney trouble as I'm sure you know.  My fistula is in great shape.  I think the weight training helps actually.

[Sydnee]

I didn't respond at first since my husband doesn't actually "weight train" but his job requires him to do heavy lifting.
Ed started D in January. On February 14 he got a fistula put in his right arm just above the wrist. Ed was back to work 3days after the surgery. The only restrictions he has is not to put anything physically on the fistula. No put grocery bags on his wrist. At work he lifts and carries 70lbs.

[tiredandthirsty]

wow!  thanks a lot everyone for sharing your experiences.  i am feeling much better about lifting now.  but you know with the kind of luck i have, murphy's law applies to me the most i believe.  if anything can go wrong, it will for me.  so i guess taking the first step towards weight training is the only option.  i just have to take that first step.  and not be a chicken. 

once again, thanks a lot for sharing your stories and giving me some much needed motivation.  much appreciated. 

[mcclane]

yes !  when I had my fistula put in (crook of the left arm), they suggested I start with a can of soup doing bicep curls.  really   I found that way too light so I did intense bicep curls, so eventually my fistula was ready to go within a month - month/half's time.

Now that I don't so hemo anymore, I still do intense bicep curls to keep the fistula from clotting, and as of right now the thrill is still strong and it occurs in 3 spots, the original spot, about a cm down, and one near the armpit.  I can feel the fistula has gotten bigger too since last using it.

[Zach]

You may also want to browse through this IHD discussion board:

EXERCISE
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=415.msg288056#msg288056


The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) has several articles about exercise that may be of interest:

http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/dsp_libraryCats.cfm?cat=10

Titles include:
... A Blessing in Disguise
... AAKP Says I Can - Mary Sheppard
... AAKP Says I Can - Wilfred Dow
... Against the Odds
... As a Dialysis Patient, How Can I Get in Better Shape?
... As someone recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, can I swim and exercise?
... Exercise, The Under-Prescribed Drug
... Get Moving! Tips & Bits
... Getting the Lead Out this Spring
... How Do I Know If I Am Taking Proper Care of My Kidneys?
... Keeping Fit: Why Dialysis Patients Should Exercise
... Kidney Patient and Doctor, Yalem Woredekal
...  Know Your Options: An Interview with Richard Bloch, Co-Founder of H&R Block
... Leg Training: Accessing the Body's Energy Reserves
... Living Life to the Fullest
... Obesity
... Physical Activity and Exercise: The Wonder Drug
... Question & Answer Session with a Renal Dietitian
... Shad Ireland: Dialysis Patient & Ironman Inspiration
... Slowing the Progression of Kidney Disease
... Social Workers Help Patients Find Answers
... Staying Positive On and Off the Field
... The Importance of Exercise
... Transplant Recipient Lives Active Life and Inspires Others
... True or False?
... Walking - The Cardiovascular Workout
 

[BobN]

Prior to my kidney failure, I was into weights big time.  Mostly free weights.

After getting the fistula, I was told to lay off the heavy lifting.  Some doctors will tell you not to lift at all.  After a long layoff, I just started some very light work using machines for more control.

I can tell when it's time to back off when I have discomfort in the arm.  It requires a lot of self-policing.

Exercising on dialysis is a challenge.  Aging (ahem) also adds to the difficulty.  But it is definitely beneficial to stay active.

[tiredandthirsty]

Prior to my kidney failure, I was into weights big time.  Mostly free weights.

After getting the fistula, I was told to lay off the heavy lifting.  Some doctors will tell you not to lift at all.  After a long layoff, I just started some very light work using machines for more control.

I can tell when it's time to back off when I have discomfort in the arm.  It requires a lot of self-policing.

Exercising on dialysis is a challenge.  Aging (ahem) also adds to the difficulty.  But it is definitely beneficial to stay active.

yes i was into weight training quite a bit as well.  i used to compete in powerlifting meets and such.  so i am rearing to get back on it, especially when i look at myself minus 20 lbs and i see this skinny little person.  makes me want to stab myself sometimes.  so i want to get back to weight training and get some back atleast.  but these people scare me too much.  one nurse even said you shouldn't even be lifting this bag (i take a bag with my computer to the clinic for work while i am on the machine).