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Back to the gym and effect on CML?

Hi all,

I’ve been back at the gym consistently for about 3 months. In my teens and early 20s I used to do a lot of weights to build muscle mass.

For the last 3 months I’ve changed up my diet and eating much more healthy but with an increase in carbs and protein to build some muscle again. I believe I eat a balanced diet consisting of fruits and veg and plenty of nuts including x4 Brazil nuts and a fair amount of cashews. I believe I’ve cut out a lot of junk food and mainly eat chicken breast and fish, tuna and salmon. No red meats at all. (My personal intuition)

My question is and it’s probably a stupid one but does any of this stimulate CML? I am sure it doesn’t but for some reason I get paranoid from time to time and wondered if lifting weights and building muscle have that effect. I try to go to the gym about 3 times a week and no more.

At my 18month PCR back in October I was just shy of MMR @ 0.118%

I am sure it doesn’t cause issues but thought I’d get your thoughts. I am trying to return to the person I once knew and it’s working so far.

Many thanks

Alex

Hi Alex

i don’t have an answer but wanted to thank you for asking the question.  I’ve been wondering the same thing myself.  I do know of several professional athletes performing and doing well with CML.... not that this means athletes are the healthiest but you would hope.  For me I am looking on it as keeping my mind and body strong for the fight against CML, which I am really just starting.  
 

Anyway thanks for asking the question....

best 

Renee 

Hi Alex, I think Renee is spot on with her reply, I’v been back at the gym for 3 years after pestering my oncologist how much I wanted to return, when he eventually gave me the green light on the Friday on my visit back to the gym on the following Monday the first person I walked into was my oncologist! I probably do 50% less of my previous normal workout, no problem, who cares. Don’t look back, enjoy, and, for me it’s a case of being able to show normality has returned. When I walk out of the gym I’m proud that I’m returning to the life I had prior to diagnosis, 5 years ago, when for a period of time, mentally more than physically, panic, doom, was all I thought, wow, life is good, thank goodness Pete 

Hi Alex
I have also enjoyed using the gym again I started back 18 months ago and I go x 3 per week I feel that I am 80 % back to what I was fitness wise now my haematologist told me in late summer 2018 that exercises is very important and can help very much help when living with CML I feel it's not just the physical benefits but also helps your mind set also, I do get joint aches more now but I just choose to live with the joint pains as long as I am enjoying my Gym time
Mike A

My doctors told me from the start that there were no restrictions on my activity.  The pharmacist encouraged activity to combat the potential fatigue from the drugs.  I'm finding getting in shape a much harder job than it was prior to CML, but I am making progress.  Glad to hear you are back at the gym.

Maria

I never stopped my workout routine after diagnosis.  It was a lot harder to do than before but I was determined to maintain my fitness because I know that improves the immune system.  Don't let anyone tell you not to exercise with CML.  My doc told me to work out as hard as I could; now 3 1/2 years later and I'm working out more and harder than I did before CML and in better shape.  

My friend I do crossfit from the first day of my treatment! I eat exactly like you and everything is ok (undetectable in 9 months) Go and train hard my friend is good for your body and your mind!! Wish you the best!

First of all, congratulations on getting back into the gym and making healthy changes to your diet! It sounds like you are doing everything right to ensure you are physically healthy, which is great. Now, as far as your question goes, I can understand why you might be worried that working out could potentially stimulate CML. However, from what I understand, there is no evidence to suggest that working out or building muscle mass affects CML. So I would not worry about that. Also, for building your muscle mass, I recommend using LGD from (link deleted by moderator) a great supplement that will help you grow these muscles quickly.

Hello Alex.  I don't think it does stimulate anything.  I worked out almost every other day last year and was running 6 or 7 Kilometers as well.  I had my best results (donward trend BCR/ABL).  I do think that our diet may affect it more than exercise.  I also only missed one week of work when initially diagnosed and got straight back to it and initially did not hit the target at 3 months.  We are all just different but I would say exercise can only be a good thing mentally and physically for us, and quite frankly, for anyone.  Keep up the work and keep your head up.

Thanks man this was an old post back in 2020 when I had a blip up and thought my gym sessions caused it. I no longer worry about those mind games haha. Thanks buddy hope ur well!

Hola amigos .
Yo también quiero regresar al gimnasio , fui diagnósticado hace un mes, tal vez alguien sabe si se puede tomar proteína en polvo ? .Yo tomo imatinib de 400 mg
Saludos y bendiciones a todos..