ActiasLuna’s training blog

That, I’m sure, is a slight misquote, but the meaning is clear. Sometimes it takes a crisis to get motivated.

That’s what the health issue did for me, focused my attention on what I needed to do to get in shape, to recover.

IVIG has been a “miracle treatment” so far… my arm mobility and strength is very good, nearly normal (there are things I cannot do yet as the muscles atrophied over the two-plus months before the treatment, so stuff like cleaning the inside of the car windshield, washing my hair, putting up a ponytail, etc. are still awkward, but thankfully I can now do the strength training.

I’ll have another IVIG session mid November. This particular disorder apparently falls under the umbrella of CIDP - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy - which can be quite serious, and usually starts in the legs, not the arms. It is something that I believe at least two of my siblings also have, as they have had similar problems. I knew we were mutants!

Seriously though, the IVIG is proven effective treatment for CIDP so I am grateful that there is something that can be done… and the outlook is good.

The walks in the morning have also done me a world of good - and I think that this long weekend will also give me a chance to try out the bicycle - to see if I have enough control to operate it safely - as I know it would be good to get some variety in the exercise plan. One consideration is that the bike ride might complicate the neurological issues, as I have had problems in the past with my hands getting numb and the arm muscles feeling “rubbery” after a ride… which is now obviously related to the condition but hasn’t been acute like the recent stuff.

Another thing that the whole health issue has done for me is to get me a little more organized - at least in my approach to getting myself out of bed every weekend morning and walking. Good habits are tricky to establish (it’s much easier - and I suppose human nature - to fall into bad habits… hard to break and replace with the good ones) so I can also feel grateful that I have had great motivation to establish a good habit and a physical activity routine. I believe this is week… four (?) of the walks… so if I can keep it up and add a mid-week walk in the evening, I’ll be well on the way to a good habit.

Now that I can actually do it, I guess patting myself on the back is in order.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 10/11/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00
• Distance: 4.25 miles
• Average Pace: 21:12.08/mile

Workout:

• Type: Strength Training
• Date: 10/10/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 00:20:00.00

Workout:

• Type: Strength Training
• Date: 10/08/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 00:20:00.00

Workout:

• Type: Strength Training
• Date: 10/06/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 00:20:00.00

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 10/05/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:25:00.00
• Distance: 4.25 miles
• Average Pace: 20:00/mile

Enjoyed the walk this morning, it was cool and breezy (which is just as I like it)… made a good pace for me, 24-minutes per mile on the “warmup” leg, 16 on the return. It always cracks me up a little when the power walkers pass me… I’m out enjoying mild exercise and the weather and my surroundings… I have to wonder if they are. (I’m sure if you get used to the power walk you do notice your surroundings just as usual, but I never did)

3 days post-IVIG, my mobility is good and improving. I think that this means my strength is improving because that was apparently the issue… whatever the case, this is wonderful news. I am able to reach over my head now (not with much strength and pretty shaky, but a reach overhead is a reach overhead!)… and it looks as though the therapy was a complete success.

The markers on my bathroom mirror have gone up the mirror in leaps now… 12 inches further than pre-therapy!!!  I’m sure I’ll have plateaus, but this is so very encouraging… at this rate I will likely have the strength to get on the bicycle soon. (may try it out tomorrow just to see if I can safely reach the handlebars and control the bike)…

This is very encouraging news to me. Have a great weekend, all!

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 10/04/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:25:00.00
• Distance: 4.25 miles
• Average Pace: 20:00/mile

This week I was given IVIG (immune globulin) therapy for the neurological disorder. It is supposed to allow the body to regain strength faster (somehow… I don’t pretend to understand how it works, but it does boost the immune system … as far as I know it somehow makes the immune system stop attacking the nerve sheaths.)…

Remains to be seen how well it will work, fingers crossed. I have been making progress and if this therapy worked I should see a dramatic improvement with continued strength training over the next few weeks. The treatment drained me yesterday, but today I actually felt restless and energetic enough to go for a rather gentle walk (2 slow miles).

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 10/01/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 00:40:00.00

Workout:

• Type: Strength Training
• Date: 09/28/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 00:20:00.00

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 09/28/2008
• Total Time: 1:18:00.00
• Distance: 4.25 miles
• Average Pace: 18:20.92/mile