11 replies to this topic

[soundoff]

Hey CMLers,

Anyone have any experience with exercised increased PCR results?

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/20863169

[threedprof]

I exercise often and have not seen any increase in PCR

[CallMeLucky]

Exercise is good for you and should ultimately help you in your fight against the illness.  However similar to the way your white blood counts increase after exercise this study is saying that if you have vigorous exercise before your blood draw it could show an increase in PCR.  So on the morning of your PCR you should probably not exercise and don't take the stairs up to your doctor's office on the 9th floor.  The other 89 days of the quarter you should be exercising.

[CallMeLucky]

One more point and this is pure conjecture, but I have often believed that exercising forces the CML out into the open where the TKI drugs can get at it.  I believe this type of analysis gives some merit to that line of thinking.

[soundoff]

I ran a 20K after the gym the day before my PCR. I was thinking it could increase my PCR...Guess I'll find out

[LivingWellWithCML]

Wow, this is wild!  No, I haven't had any PCR increase from exercise (that I can tell), and I also agree with Lucky in that residual CML is forced closer to the TKI with exercise - I truly believe that's happening.  I put about 20 miles of running mileage in per week at @ 7.35/mile ... a decent pace for me that gets my blood pumping, and I have tried to do runs within a couple of hours of taking my Gleevec dose, although lately I've been getting my running in later in the day (8+ hours after taking my dose).  And I've often gone for a swift run a couple of hours before my blood draws (gives me a positive attitude going into a cancer center!); especially in the first few months of treatment.  This is very interesting...guess I will consider taking it easy before my next 3-month draw.

One thing that did happen to me ... completely unrelated to this study.  When I started weight training, my liver numbers spiked significantly; AST=167, ALT=40+.  I freaked and thought I was getting Gleevec liver toxicity, but then they fell back in the normal range within a week or so.  And I verified this trend with a study that showed that men who started a weight training routine from scratch (which is what I did) showed these very same spikes over the first 10 days of their regimen ... then returned to normal as their body got used to induced muscle damage that you cause from weight training.

[JMGrad]

Dan

    The liver spike happened to me too when I started Pilates!! OMG it freaked me out b/c Ive been doing so well on my Sprycel (not a lot of side effects knock-on-wood) - did a little research and found the same information. Crazy how starting something new - something healthy! - can change your counts so fast!

Jean

[LivingWellWithCML]

Agreed!  Hasn't happened to me since, but I need to keep up the weight training to avoid another spike.  Even then, I'll know what's causing it...

[ChrisC]

Looks like, again, we're all different with how our bodies deal with CML.

For the past four years, especially before being dx'd in Oct. 2008, I was/am too fatigued to do more than walking a few times a week, though that can end up being for four to six hours of taking the bus, walking to do my errands, etc., so it's not just around the block. The rest of the time is rest, with short times to do simple chores and cooking.

However, when I go to do blood work, that is when I'd walk up a long hill from the bus just before the blood draw.

For almost three years I've tested 0.000 solidly, and have been off Sprycel since Sept. 2011, am still fatigued (but not like I was!). I keep scheduling things on consecutive days, thinking that is how to push back into more activity, but I haven't felt "energized" by this strategy yet!

Could be I'm older than all you active folks (61 next week).

I say, do what works for you!

ChrisC

[Cliffee]

Interesting article.

I wonder how long it took for their numbers to go back to the pre-workout levels? Could be hours, or days?

Im 44 and was diag July 2011. On Gleevac 400mg since then. I work out 3-4 times a week with weights and cardio. If I don't I start to feel tired. It definately helps out.

I also feel its money in the bank if by some chance I need a BMT one day.  Better to be in tip top shape going in then not.

[TeddyB]

I have been doing 30minute walks each day since DX, and i feel its time to start exercising a bit more.

Cycling, weights, squash and i will continue with my walks.

Going for a bike ride later today, maybe 35-45 minutes to start off with.

After my last bike ride 2 months ago, i got a throat infection, so i thought id wait a few weeks more before trying again, well today its time

I have also considered Yoga or Tai Chi, as this seems like a good way to help strength both the body and mind.

I just hope my immune system can handle it, ill just start slow and see how it goes.

I love Trey and CallMeLuckey`s theory about forcing cancer cells out and letting the tki kill them off, and i know that if it comes to a BMT some day, then my body will at least be stronger and it might give me a better chance.

[cleocans]

I lift heavy weights three times a week.  I walk two miles on weight days and 3-4 miles on my off days.  I do sprint intervals once a week.  I use to be a runner but have since given that up.  I wasn't recovering well after my long runs and kept getting sick.  My body prefers what I do now!  I hope I never have to do another BMB because my bones were already strong, hard to get the needle threw, and now I know they are stronger!!