This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@contentandwell - The thing I have heard from physical therapists is that the elliptical can bother some people's hips because you are forced in a set stance and can't adjust how close our feet are. Just something to keep in mind if you discover other aches and pains after trying it.

The rowing machine does look like a standard rowing machine. I don't have a picture because I've not been to the YMCA since I've been biking. If you google "rowing machine workout" lots of pictures will pop up of different machines that all look relatively similar. They can get lost in a gym because they are so close to the floor that you might not notice them. I recommend asking an employee of the gym because they will definitely know and be able to show you the proper posture and how to set your feet and resistance. That is what I did and I found it very helpful.

@hopeful33250 the link in the daily digest just brought me to the top of the message string. The link within the individual responses brought me right to the specific message.

Hmm, Medigap? Is that the same as commercial supplementary Medicare coverages? I have plan F I think it is but I believe it only covers things that Medicare covers. They pay the remainder of what Medicare does not pay. I don't think Medicare covers things like health clubs but I should check into that. We did have coverage at one point that did but that was prior to being on Medicare.

@contentandwell I think I'm going to try the myfitnesspal.com. I have been using my plate and although I'm eating less than it calls for and exercising I'm not losing weight. Very frustrating! I don't know if my metabolism is slowing down due to the change of life or I'm adding so much muscle that the scale is not changing. My husband and I both think my shape is changing but I really want the numbers on the scale to go down too. You would think after eating the right amount of calories and biking four days in a row including 15 miles on Saturday and 5 miles on Sunday you would lose weight, not gain a pound!!! The only thing I'm holding on to is that I know my cardiovascular health has improved and that is important when preparing for surgery too.

I wonder if your pre-transplant med, lactulose, had a lot of lactose in it (just sounds like it from the name but I have no idea) and that is what upset your stomach. I have learned to ask the pharmacist about the hidden milk and lactose that is in many medications. At least you don't need to take it now.

@contentandwell I looked at my Daily Digest today and the links to the various pages seem to be working OK. When you click on the "View and Reply" does it take you anywhere? Let me know what the problem is and I can report it to the tech team to figure out.
Regarding the fee for trainers, I'll have to check and see what mine is. The $70 is the same monthly fee as mine, however, because of the type of Medigap policy I have, I get a reduced fee of $40. Teresa

@hopeful33250 Teresa, the amount I mentioned was the monthly membership fee. I believe the personal trainer fees are well over $100. When I first joined I got a package of three sessions for a greatly reduced price but that was probably 8 years ago. I will look into this this week.

I saw in the "Daily Digest" that there were new responses but it was not easy for me find them. Usually the links bring you to them but not this time. Is this a general problem or just me?
JK

@contentandwell Since I had recently joined the club the first meeting with the trainer was free. I do not know what the usual charge is, I haven't gotten that far. However, based on other health clubs in the area, the amount that you mention sounds in the ballpark. I hope you are able to meet with someone, it should give you some extra help in designing your program.
Teresa

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa. I may resort to that, or to hiring a different physical therapist. My club is rather large and within it there is a physical therapy that operates, not actually part of the club but uses the club's facilities. I will have to check on the cost of that. How much did you have to pay for personal trainer? Being in a bedroom community of Manchester our club, compared to city rates, is pretty reasonable ($70 for me with my "senior discount", but I have no idea what trainers cost.
JK

@contentandwell Hello, I just read your post about your health club and the need for an experienced person to work with you on exercises at the club. Here is what I did: I talked with the head-honcho trainer at my health club. I explained many of my physical problems and also the types of exercises/machines I had been using with the hospital PT person. I brought a sheet of the exercises/equipment that I had been doing with the PT and asked if they could give me an experienced trainer (not just someone who helps people lose weight or build muscle, etc.) but someone who could look at my exercise sheet and plan a program for me based on what I've done in PT. They were very happy to connect me with an experienced trainer who could work with these types of needs. You might give that a try. Teresa

@lcamino, I just re-read your post. I don't do much elliptical but I think I may try to do that more since after doing the treadmill I often get shinsplints. Also, does the "rowing machine" you use look like a regular rowing machine? If so I don't believe there is one at my club, unless it is not that apparent to someone like me, basically ignorant of gym equipment. If it does not look like the typical rowing machine I would love to see a picture of it to see if we have the same equipment where I go.

I tried to get my physical therapist to come with me to help me with the transition from the equipment at the PT center to the equipment t my club, but he was reluctant to do so. He thought he would have to be sneaky because they would not want a physical therapist taking away from their personal trainers but when I asked them about it they said they would give me a complimentary pass for him! At that point he was beyond joining me though. I guess I may end up having to use a personal trainer but I figure they do not know my needs and limitations like my physical therapist does.
JK

@lcamino you are sure one busy lady, good for you! I too am trying so hard to do a lot of exercise and you are right, it does take up a good part of the day! The clothing store I frequent most and have in the last year purchased a lot from due to weight loss suggested that I could work there but I don't think I have time to these days. I guess I would if I was younger and had more energy but I can't put the exercise of until evening because my husband considers that to be his time. I have lost weight but I think a good deal of that is due to dieting and as I have commented before, I really feel like I owe my dieting success to using myfitnesspal.com. It keeps me accountable. The exercise definitely does help too though and of course it's good for your overall health. The muscles around my miserable knees have gotten stronger and that has helped considerably with my knee pain.

I too had nausea from one of my pre-transplant medications, lactulose. Some days it was awful. Then I figured out that one thing that made it worse was eating eggs in the morning! That may well be just me, I find that there are so many things that effect one person and not another, which of course makes it more difficult for the doctors.

My blood pressure is teetering on the edge of high these days. Prior to transplant it was always around 115 over something in the 60s and now it is generally around 140 plus or minus but the diastolic is still in the 60s. I had been so smug that my bp was so low but now I have discovered that it typical in people with cirrhosis!
JK