exercise on dialysis

[Katie07]

Hi: I've only been on dialysis a week.  I have a lot of questions, to which many of you have responded, with some good advice and suggestions. This question is about exercise. I have significant balbnce problems, in addition to my kidney failure. I also have respiratory alkalosis ; which means, that when I do anything to exert myself, I can't breath. Further, dialysis, is making me feel worse than ever. I have ten pounds of fluid on me. I know, that dialysis will take it off slowly, but I'm wondering, if exercise helps. What kind of exercise do people on dialysis do ; especially when they don't feel well? 

[Blake nighsonger]

I walked slow. stayed active, swam.   you can just walk around house ....... a trainer can help too   take it slow.   

[Thesunwillshinetomorrow]

I would ask your Dr.
My partner does a lot of stretching. "Long muscles are strong muscles....and motion is lotion" are two mantras I learned when i met him.  The one occasion i attend dialysis with him (and his Mother) there was a gentleman using a peddle thing.....not sure what you'd call it.
Take things slow....

[Cupcake]

Take it easy until your body adjusts. I Walk 2.5 miles most days but some days my blood pressure is a little low and I don't want to faint somewhere on the trail! Even if I'm feeling lightheaded I can feel pretty good in the pool. I usually do Pilates once a week but skip if I'm low in blood pressure. Up and down or bending over can be too much.

[PrimeTimer]

Hi: I've only been on dialysis a week.  I have a lot of questions, to which many of you have responded, with some good advice and suggestions. This question is about exercise. I have significant balbnce problems, in addition to my kidney failure. I also have respiratory alkalosis ; which means, that when I do anything to exert myself, I can't breath. Further, dialysis, is making me feel worse than ever. I have ten pounds of fluid on me. I know, that dialysis will take it off slowly, but I'm wondering, if exercise helps. What kind of exercise do people on dialysis do ; especially when they don't feel well?

I don't mean to go off topic but may I ask, how are they treating your respiratory alkalosis? Do you have hypocapnia with it? I'll understand if you don't want to answer but it would be of great value to me if you can. Thank you.

[Charlie B53]

Walking adds up surprisingly quickly.  The biggest muscles in the body are in the legs.  You don't have to walk fast or jog.  Slow and steady at a pace that is comfortable for you.

Breathing difficulty will limit your ability so take your time, NO hurry.  Over time you will improve and can adjust your pace as you improve.

Stay careful, take your phone along just in case you need it.  You don't have to go far, just a lap around the yard can be a good start.  If that becomes easy then go for two.

[Jean]

Does any one know if walking with a walker is beneficial? I find I can walk forever at the market because I can put all of my weight on the bars, and pretty much the same with a walker. It is just walking that produces such extreme pain that I cant tolerate it.
Thanks
Jean

[Thesunwillshinetomorrow]

Jean, are you saying you are not in pain when using a walker? My own opinion would be movement with or without a walker is better than no walking at all.

[Charlie B53]

I refuse to use my walker, yet.  It's in the back of my truck but I don't get it out, well, maybe on very rare occasion.  It's handy cause it has a seat that I can sit down on and rest.

Wife and I like to use a shopping cart.  Leaning a on it a little makes it much easier to walk more than we could without the cart.  Kroger has those little carts.  I love them.  So much lighter and turns easier than the full size carts.

[lulu836]

After having had a couple of strokes along the way, my balance is not very good.  I use a walker even in my home, so I don't fall.  For longer outings with lots of walking, especially for out-of-town trips, I use my scooter to get around.

[kristina]

... I try to do some very gentle exercises after dialyses, because if I miss them, it is immediately noticed when my body slows down straight away.
These gentle exercised consist of moving the arms and hands as if gently swimming and the use of the legs as if gently bicycling.
Hopefully these little exercises help a bit in the "long run" to keep my body as well as is possible.
I would not try any exercises during dialysis, because dialysis itself is already a great strain on the body and with added exercise it could be "overdoing" it.
Good luck and best wishes from Kristina.

[iolaire]

Does any one know if walking with a walker is beneficial? I find I can walk forever at the market because I can put all of my weight on the bars, and pretty much the same with a walker. It is just walking that produces such extreme pain that I cant tolerate it.
Thanks
Jean

I would say yes, anything that helps increase your activity level will be helpful to your overall health.

Here is the one study I could find (PDF link), that talks about using a Rollator Walker (with wheels) (its too hard to search for "Walker" because that brings back generic walking):
Conclusions: For people 75 years of age or older; walking with a rollator is an activity of moderate to high level of intensity, with the capacity of improving aerobic fitness.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4510/4163c2614fc89b2e04f10baf977b0c4f991f.pdf
(Also that is relative to 75 years of age, I also feel it would apply/benift to anyone who is limited in their mobility.)

[GA_DAWG]

I would agree about giving yourself time to adjust and get some of the excess fluid off. I don't know if you have one yet, but after you get a fistula or graft, exercise becomes easier. I was always afraid I would pull the catheter out somehow, and things just get easier in general after it is gone. I do a workout with weights most days I don't go to dialysis. CKF causes a loss in calcium and can cause weaker bones. While they give me calcium, I feel like keeping the muscles toned takes some pressure off the bones. I try to walk for 30 minutes when the weather allows, not too hot or cold.

[Whamo]

I find Jane Fonda's low impact aerobics video, free on youtube, to be a great full-body workout.

[Riki]

I use Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus to exercise, especially in winter.  Wii Fit Plus has a jogging game where you are supposed to jog in place, but I don't do that. *G*  It allows you to put the controller in your pocket while you are jogging, but I don't jog.  I just walk around my house.  It's supposed to use your movement to count your steps and mileage, but I'm not sure how accurate

[cassandra]

I also have respiratory alkalosis ; which means, that when I do anything to exert myself, I can't breath. Further, dialysis, is making me feel worse than ever.

Hi Katie have you ever tried the Buteyko breathing technique?


Love, Cas

[Whamo]

I've read where sprinting and/or interval training is good for building brain cells.  I haven't tried it on dialysis yet.  As my fitness level improves I may give it a go.   

[GA_DAWG]

Fresenius used to pass out this newsletter like publication. I remember one issue showed a dialysis unit where there were people actually doing things like riding exercise bikes while on dialysis. Now, I don't know where this unit was as in our unit the most exercise is trying to stop the springs in the worn out chairs from sicking you in the bum.

[PrimeTimer]

Fresenius used to pass out this newsletter like publication. I remember one issue showed a dialysis unit where there were people actually doing things like riding exercise bikes while on dialysis. Now, I don't know where this unit was as in our unit the most exercise is trying to stop the springs in the worn out chairs from sicking you in the bum.

Sorry, GA DAWG. I know that's not funny but it probably does give some a workout. Maybe not the kind they wanted but....

[Charlie B53]

My clinic has one of those pedal things in the corner that someone can pedal while on Dialysis in their chair.  Nurses tell me the Dr has to write that into their orders if that patient is physically able.  I've no doubt there are some that could.  I am sure it would be very difficult for me.

I had to chuckle when someone posted that she sometimes uses her 'scooter' for longer distances.  I call my Harley a 'Scooter'.  I like to take it for longer distances.  Used to, just not during cooler weather.  I now get too cold too fast.

[Whamo]

I sometimes sing and dance along to the rolling stones videos on youtube or Alexa rock stations while doing PD.  I can't imagine doing anything on hemo.  I've found good exercise videos on youtube by jane fonda and some of the senior citizen videos.