Hello everyone. I'm not here as often but I do try to visit and read many of the posts and reply when I can. About 17 months ago I had an aneurysm clipped prior to any burst. I'm doing much MUCH better but I have a question.
I've noticed that certain activities, like shoveling, are fine. Except when I start to feel tired I can't push it like I used to prior to surgery. If I do, I feel really jittery and the numbness increases around my face and surgical site. Then it takes a day or so to recover from the fatigue. I'm good with that now that I recognize the trigger.
But that leads me into the question about exercise. The Doc said to walk or ride a stationary bike. I was thinking maybe yoga. Then I read somewhere that yoga isn't a good idea for people with aneurysms. Is that true? Obviously I was looking into a light type of yoga. Nothing where I'll be facing upside down for long periods of time. My head doesn't like that. So what type of exercise do you do?
I have been lifting weights, running and doing yoga for years now and I had a ruptured aneurysm clipped 7 years ago. Not sure if ur case is different than mine, but I never even have headaches. The numbness took a couple of years to stop.
I had a double brain aneurysm. Both ruptures were coiled. That was 5 years ago. I workout 5 days a week. Walking, swimming, and I have a trainer to increase body strength. I do yoga 1 a week careful not to bend over or hang upside down. Work with bosu ball for balance. Try walking on the curb, it is only a few inches wide and a real challenge. There have been nothing I wouldn't try to get back in shape. Just continue to listen to your body, It is never wrong.
Hi harlylena good question. I have never been told what exercise to do or to avoid. I do have health conditions predating the aneurysm that limited heavy exercise. I had coiing for burst aneurysm so it may differ with that too. I try to walk daily for short periods but it does tire me. I do stretch exercises recommended by Physical Therapist after my coiling, most of these are stretches and for strengthening core muscles. Best wishes!
I have had several clippings. My exercise routine is limited to walking and the stationary bike for 30 minutes only. I also experienced the jittery feeling when gardening. I was told not to do any weights. As you can see each person’s experience is different. However I would advise following your doctor’s orders.
I walk when I’m not having vertigo issues. If you do yoga I’d skip the positions where you have to look upside down. I couldn’t do those either. A stationary bike sounds good. Before Annie- I went to Zumba classes, rode regular bicycle. After aneurysm rupture all the activity in a classroom setting makes me nervous and hubby won’t let me back on a real bicycle for fear that I could have a vertigo spell and fall off. Please keep us posted on what you decide to do. Most important thing- don’t get too fatigued. ~ myra
I had my aneurysm clipped 2 1/2 yrs ago and have another small one they are watching. I was told I can do any kind of exercise. However, I find that yoga does have alot of bending over and so I don't/can't do that. I do watch when I shovel or do any lifting. I also can't jump around alot (my choice) it makes my head feel funny; and truthfully, I may be babying myself a bit. So...I walk. I love it. But where as before my aneurysm I had alot of energy. I swear it still hasn't come back yet. I never worked out before my aneurysm, so its not like I'm not active now. I don't know. I just get winded easily. But important to keep moving at your own comfort level.
over the years I have found that light exercise on the treadmill is good for me. For a long time I rode a stationary bike, but then I had surgery to implant an aortic graft to correct an aortic aneyrysm, and I was afraid of flexing the graft on a bicycle (though the surgeon said it was all right) so I guess the answer is light exercise, like walking or cycling is all right. I have not found walking in the mall very good, however, because the floor is too hard and too flat. But maybe that’s just me. Find what you like and do it regularly. Now that I’m getting older, I don’t shovel snow anymore, or cut grass.
I am 6 years post burst annie. Clipped and while in there they found another one and clipped it too. I do aerobic dance, stationary bike and gentle yoga as well as walk. I shovel snow (if it's not too heavy). I use 3# lb. weights during aerobic dance class. Listen to your body. At times I have what neurologist says is aura migraines. No pain, just visual disturbances that last a minute or two.
Everything! Weights and high intensity work outs with a trainer, walk/jog, yoga, interval training. I found in the beginning when I started back to exercising, I was mentally holding myself back. Once I let go of that I felt much better and it was easier to do just about anything. Of course, if you feel physically unwell or in pain don’t push it. I’m sure you could try yoga and maybe modify the moves so you don’t go upside down, etc. Even walking does wonders for mental and physical health!
Hi Harlyena -
I am not allowed to shovel as it is picking something up that is heavy. Please ask your surgeon. I too had a clipping 17 months ago. I am in Florida where I kayak frequently with others wearing a helmet. I am no longer sailing small boats, even with a helmet, as the boom swings. I also bike everyday for about an hour and I feel so so much better after I do it. Walking quickly also. I see that you are in Chicago. Are there any malls in your area? Try a a stationery bike before you buy one. I live in northern New Jersey and had to get out of the cold as I was isolating. I have not tried yoga as I have spine issues. Hope you will hear from others on that. Be well.
Penny
My wife, three years later, does virtually everything in everyday life including shoveling snow. She does some stretching exercises, jogs on a rebounder, rides a gazelle, and lifts some weights. Almost every evening I help her with elastic band exercises on her left ankle because that area is slow, weak, etc. She has tried riding a regular bicycle, but it just doesn't work; she cannot get the second foot going quick enough regardless which foot she uses to push off, and then she is afraid to stop. So we've given that up, but that's the only exercise we have given up. Two mornings a week we go for long walks--outside if the weather and streets are ok.
Initially I was told to sit on my 'arse' and do nothing.... give things time and rest. I got very frustrated and fat..!! ;-)
After 7 months I was told I could go diving again, this is my passion and I completed over 120 in the 6 months following.
I also starting walking every day with a new dog that we got. Initially, because the dog was a pup, the walking was limited to the equivalent of 5 minutes, twice a day, for each month of age for the dog. Now that he's just over a year old we're up to 10 - 12 miles a day...!!
I'm finally starting to lose some of the weight that I put on, and I'm certainly getting my fitness and 'dive fitness' back.
Pic below, taken in Iceland, 'Silfra'. 1,000 year old glacial melt water at 2 degrees. Stunning. ;-)
I walk as well as ride a stationary bike. The bike strengthens my legs while the walking is just good for my circulation. I try and maintain a low fat, low cal diet as much as possible
Exercise? Do you see an neurologist? I have a clip behind my right eye. I had a burst 3 year plus. I was advised from my neurologist not to get my heart rate over 120 and not to have my head below my knees. I wear a heart monitor when exercising. I see a special exercise instructor after giving her a note from my doctor. He advised to try to walk 2 miles a day. I hope this helps.
My brain aneurysm ruptured at the gym so I have been terrified to go back since, and it has been almost a year. My drs did not put any limits on my exercise past a few months recovery, but I have done some light lifting and cardio. I find that I get fatigued much more easily. I agree with the others and think it is much more of a mental thing than actual physical risk! My only recommendation would be to start slow as I went back hard too fast and that detoured me from going back.
I decided to work with a trainer for a while who knew my situation and fears. He sculpted an interesting program for me that mixes cardio, stretching and light weights. I feel really good now, and believe it was worth the money for my piece of mind. I of talked about it with my doctor before I started and he was also supportive. He told me the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks. I am also off of all medications now, no antidepressants or anti anxiety meds, and feel that I sleep better since starting my routine too.
Hello Harlylena. Your doctor is right, walk or stationary bike is beneficiant for you. Yoga would be dangerous, because a lot of poses starts with "down dog" position, the meditation and relaxation would be good for you. I am pretty sure, that there is easy clases, every yoga teacher will ask you about your health condition and can find a complex of exercise that would be good for you. Good luck.
