Lymphoma and Exercise

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am writing to you because a friend of mine gave me your e-mail because I was asking him questions about working out while and chemotherapy for the treatment of Hodgkins lymphoma.  Ive been HIV postitive for about 9 or ten years and have had PCP about 6 or 7 years ago and have been diagnosed with the lymphoma just recently.  Up Until now Ive been a body builder of sorts (not that I've ever competed, although I have danced in a couple of places) At the heaviest I was lifting, I was benching 170 and squatting 275 and my weight was 167 which was all basically muscle, Im now down to 159 lbs and I dont recognise myself in the mirror, I havent worked out in about a month and a half due to the fevers I was suffering from the lymphoma and the weakness.  My docotr tells me its important for me to keep up with my excersices but I obviously cant start from where I left off.

 

My question is this, where do I start? What excercises are right for me or what type of program, I used to do extensive upper body work one day and lower the next, but that was a 2 and a half hour work out and obviously I cant do that now but I do want to build up again and get myself back to normal, due to the chemo im probably going to lose my hair and well.....being a gay man under 40 and being bald and flabby is going to depress me a whole lot, so any help and info you can offer as to what I could do would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

ASWERS FROM TWO PEOPLE:

Hello

I'm a friend who works with , and he asked me to respond to your e-mail since I also do do advocacy work in AIDS lymphoma research.

Re working out and where to start, it may sound overly simplistic but basically do what you can.  Even most advanced competition bodybuilders can't handle a 2-1/2 hr workout, so you can't expect yourself to do that now while you're dealing with chemo.  The easiest thing to do is just to break it down into whatever you have the energy to do that day.  Instead of doing the entire upper body in one workout, just do as many chest exercises as you feel like doing that day.  You can alternate with legs, shoulder, calves, arms, etc.  Just keep it simple and listen to your body.  The medibolics.com website has links to suggested workouts, but if you've been a bodybuilder for years you probably already know what to do.   You just need to set ego aside and not try to do mega-workouts with mega-weights--just accomplish what you're able to each day.  Lower the weights to a level where you can comfortably lift them at the beginning of the set, but where you're pushing it at the end.  Try fewer reps and but with greater intensity--your goal at this point is to rebuild strength and mass, not get cuts and definition.  Since your strength may vary from workout to workout, machines might be easier to use than free weights if you don't have a reliable spotter.

Even on days where you don't have the strength to lift weights, try doing some simple exercises like stretching.  I found yoga to be especially helpful when I was really sick with PCP years ago--it's great for the stress that comes with being sick.  Check your gym or local AIDS service organization to see if they have classes.

Have you talked about your weight loss with your doctor?  Check your testosterone and DHEA levels and supplement those if they're low, which they could well be.  Have you experienced any anemia or neutropenia (low white count) from your chemo?  That can cause a lot of weakness and fatigue.  You might discuss with your doctor the possibility of using a steroid like nandrolone (deca-durabolin) which can help with blood counts and also help rebuild muscle mass and energy levels.  And don't forgot food--if nausea from the chemo is a problem ask about something like Marinol which can quell the nausea and give you the munchies.

You didn't talk about your chemo regimen, but if you want the name of research oncologist or AIDS lymphoma trials in your area I can refer you if you tell me where you live. 

Good luck with everything.  Just take it one day at a time and do what you can--the rest will come later.  Please feel free to e-mail me or if you have other questions, and let us know how you're doing.

Jeff

San Diego

Dear XXXX:

 

I was diagnosed with HIV-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in October 1996.  I underwent six cycles of CHOP plus four cycles of intrathecal Ara-C (to prevent the lymphoma from spreading to my brain).  I was finished with my treatment by late February 1997 and I have been absolutely fine ever since.  Given that it has been more than five years since I complete therapy, I have technically been cured of lymphoma. 

 

When I began chemotherapy, I was 6'2" and 205 pounds, was benching 225 pounds, did cardio two or three times a week, and was happy with my 10% - 12% body fat (I wasn't cut, but was certainly big).  Once I started chemotherapy, I actually put on a lot of weight, due to the prednisone I was taking.  I put on A LOT of water and my appetite was out of control... I was eating TWO BOXES of Rice Chex cereal, every day, while on the high-dose prednisone.  Plus, I wasn't feeling very lethargic and the prednisone was causing a breakdown of muscle mass. 

 

I didn't go to the gym for two months after I began chemotherapy. But then things changed.  I, too, couldn't stand the way I looked in the mirror and didn't like the way I felt.  In turn, I started working with a trainer in the gym.  Three days a week, I did light cardio, A LOT of stretching, and considerably lightened my workout routine.  I started benching 95 pounds and within a week was up to 135 pounds.  I continued benching 135 pounds for the rest of the time I was on chemotherapy.  Similarly, I got back in to doing pull-ups -- three sets of three pull-ups at first, gradually increasing to four sets of eight pull-ups -- arms, legs, and shoulders... all using weight that was never more than half of what I was used to.  By the end of chemotherapy, I actually looked good!  I wasn't as solid as I was before chemotherapy, but I had nice definition and felt good about the way I looked... all things considered.  

 

Today, I'm up to 210 pounds and I'm easily benching 225 (unassisted), easily curling 45s, and all the rest.  

 

Gustavo, there's no way that you're going to be able to do what you were doing in the gym before you were diagnosed.  However, going into the gym and lightening your load WILL help you to keep in shape... and will better prepare you to start building again once chemotherapy is completed.  

 

I don't encourage the use of steroids of any kind -- anabolics, including growth hormone, have been linked to higher rates of certain cancers, including lymphoma.  It's best not to do ANY hormone therapy while being treated for any form of cancer. 

 

Give yourself a break!  Chemotherapy doesn't last forever.  Even though you might not feel and look your best right now, you'll be able to focus on your workout routine once treatment is completed.  I know it's really hard to see this... but it's true.  You'll be back to your regular routine in no time.  But in the meantime, get yourself back into the gym for some basic circuit training to help keep yourself in shape.  Hopefully, will have a few specific pointers for you to consider.