Getting back into running

ZukiCat

hi Ladies,

I know this isn't a new or unique topic but I was wondering if anyone out there has any advice regarding getting back to running ( or exercise in general ) after having their TEs placed.

I had my surgeries almost two months ago and since I felt my fills ( until last time lol) were going well I figured it was time to get back into my routine. I had been taking it very easy, which was simple to do up here in Canada with this last 7-year-long-winter, but we went to Florida in March. I felt great and energized so I spent most of our 12 days on my feet walking anywhere and everywhere. Is was wonderful! Then when I got home I attempted two treadmill runs. They went pretty well, but my chest was a bit sore/tender under the TEs. And my back really started to hurt. After my most recent fill I didn't attempt any more running as it was quite painful, but I was trying to be as active as possible.

Does anyone have any experience in this area? What about resuming running after the final exchange?

Thank you!!

Sunflowercat

zukicat you might want to consult your PS and see if he will ok a good sports bra to keep things in place. I think I was about 3 months post BMX when my PS finally said ok to a sports bra because he felt that everything was firmly in its place and wasn't going to shift around with the pressure.

That said...at about the same time, I felt fantastic and resumed working out. I'm not a runner, but did do some HIIT treadmill workouts which had a bit of running thrown in. I would occasionally feel like it was a bit much for my chest, so I kept it to a minimum. Up until my exchange last week I was working out 5-6x/week and snow shoeing or alpine skiing 1x/week. Gym wise Iwas doing yoga, pilates, bodypump, piyo, (light weights on upper body because I'd really feel it in my pecs the following days). It took me about 4 months but I could bang out about 30 push-ups with no problem, although triceps pushups and chaturanga have been harder - even 7 months out I could only manage a few before my form started suffering. Yoga really helped in the early months to stretch everything out and planks really helped me build up my upper body strength. Spin class is a good alternative if you just want to get a good burn in. Also, there's a running thread somewhere on the site. Might want to check that out for advice.

I cannot wait to get back in the gym again. 5 weeks and one day...not that I'm counting.

trailrose

Zukicat- I had my TE's placed on 1/20/15. My PS cleared me for running after 6 weeks but to he told me to be careful and not let my arms flail about which is needed on some of the steep downhills! Now with that being said I trail run so I'm limited with our mountainous terrain. My first trail run was uncomfortable and I was worried I would injure another part of my body due to being guarded. About 2 weeks later I trail ran some again ( a very short 1 mile!) to test things and I felt great. Three days ago I trail ran 1 1/2 miles and felt great again! I'm still very careful as I don't want to trip and fall. The TE are heavy and my upper back hurts. So for now I hike at a very fast pace for about 4-6 miles and it feels great. I know I will be back into my trail running soon enough. I wear a sports bra at all times to help keep the TE's in place as directed by my PS. As far as when I have my exchange surgery on May 1st my PS said I can resume my running in one month after that procedure. I look forward to getting back to my pre mastectomy days where I was running 13-14 miles in the back country!

scvmom65

Hi Zuki,

I just passed my 4 year exchange date. I was a runner before my dx and could not run at all during my fills stage. Everytime I tried I got either a sore back or super tightness in my chest. I had an 8 week period before my exhange when the fills ended, I probably could have run but my boobs felt very heavy at that point and didn't want to ruin anything so I just waited. I did do light weights and tons of hiking in the hills and cycling during that period. I felt much better after my exhange but again, didn't want to mess anything up. My PS said I had to wait 3 months and to go back slowly, I ended out waiting 6 months. I run now a few times a week for about 45 mins and it is exactly like before I got DXed so hope that gives you hope.

Anna

ZukiCat

Thank you all for your replies! But holy smokes do I have ants in my pants or spring fever or something! I need to get out and get some exercise as my lower back is really sore. I feel like it's getting weaker and weaker from lack of use. And then, I go out and do something like sweep or rake or even walk and it sets my back off even more. My TEs are pretty small and they don't seem to move at all, but I do still wear a sports bra when doing anything with impact.

Anna, I am glad that everything feels just as good exercise-wise now as it did before all this. That DOES give me hope.

Trailrose, you're making me jealous with your hiking and trial-walking. It's pretty flat here and I am bored already with walking around my little town. Maybe I should take a little drive and try something new. How exciting that May 1st is approaching......

Sunflowercat, push ups??! Wow, you're amazing! I do admit that even while I was doing crossfit push ups were the hardest part for me, but now even opening a jar sets off my pecs! How DO you do it???

So I wonder what activity I should do today.... I have a sore stiff back but I also have a small fill tomorrow. So I feel as if I should do more that just laundry today......

Sunflowercat

zukicat - baby steps! My back was giving me hell after months of recooperating. I had lost a ton of my core strength and I'm going to say that's because the cut the lattimus dorsi muscles. It's a huge muscle that when weakened can cause shoulder and back pain. I started easing in to my workouts with yoga to help stretch, lengthen and strengthen my back and core. Then the next month I added in pilates. By the end of those two months I was able to resume bodypump and piyo. I'll say planks were probably the biggest aid in getting it back. As soon as I'm cleared to work out I'm going to do a 30day plank challenge to build up again.

I also got regular massages after about 2 months. They weren't covered by insurance, but really helped to loosen up the tension in my back. I'd have the therapist (my neighbor and wine drinking buddy) use 3 bath towels when I laid on my stomach. Folded in half length wise, rolled up and one beneath each shoulder and one between my TEs. It was fairly uncomfortable at first, but the back pain was worse.

It must be spring fever...I'd kill for a sweaty workout right now!

trailrose

Zukicat- Maybe you should take a short drive to walk just for a change of scenery! Something else that I do is LOTS of squats when I need to get something down low (like in a drawer or on the floor) that way I'm not grabbing outwards or downwards and straining my chest and TE's. I can reach upwards and do so slowly. If I do reach downwards its in a slow motion too. I will sort out the dirty laundry on the floor, then squat, put all of the clothes on my lap and use my arms to hold it close to me then rise up in a squat!

Miscraw

I have just started back running a couple weeks ago & I had TE placed August 1, 2014. I had chemo, then radiation & just didn't have the energy to do anything prior till now. The first time was pretty uncomfortable, but I wore a good sports bra the 2nd time & it really kept things in place. By the 3rd time, it "almost" felt normal (or at least what my new normal is). I'm hoping to continue exercising/running up until my exchange late this summer. Good luck to you!

ZukiCat

Well I guess then it is time for me to start planking then!

I managed a boring 5 km walk in the sunshine today. But I think you nailed it right on the head - I need me a good sweat session!! There is nothing better!

Thanks for your reply

ZukiCat

miscraw, I am glad that you've found the return to running pretty comfortable! I just had my last fill yesterday so I think that after the discomfort and pain ( and the seemingly inability to BREATHE ) abates I will get back out there. I am really hoping I feel pretty good by Sunday as the weather is supposed to be nice and I won't have to use my treadmill. My next issue is that I don't have any sports bras now that fit my fuller and hard expanders..... Hmmmmmm shopping?