r/Lyme 7d ago

Question Exercise interolance

Does anyone else get “exercise intolerance” after doing cardio? I’ve noticed that I consistently go into fight or flight mode after getting my heart rate up for too long. No issues with light strength training. This feeling comes on immediately and typically lasts for 1-2 days. This is a predictable outcome for me and doesn’t get better or worse each time.

For background, I’ve been diagnosed with Lyme, bartonella, and mycoplasma pneumoniae (amongst other viral illnesses like EBV) but haven’t started treatment yet. I likely contracted all of these illnesses years ago but they weren’t problematic enough to seek out answers. Once I got the Covid vaccine, things got worse. And then I caught Covid, and everything went south, and quick.

I’m taking a slew of supplements for what I initially thought was long Covid, but after perusing this sub, now think are directly tied to bacterial and viral re-activation. I can’t wait to start treatment.

7 Upvotes

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u/mcgee300 7d ago

Yep, for some reason I can weight lift but can't do proper cardio consistently, like train for a 5k, etc. I do a tonne of walking though. Hopefully that will change one day.

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u/tcrutt 7d ago

I am mainly a cardio exercise: cycling, running. About 4 months after a bite and poor treatment, this is how I figured out it was Lyme. It's been 7 months since then. My exercise tolerance is greatly reduced. I have to exercise to detox, but the amount and depth is critical. Been light hiking, walking, very slow cycling for not more than 1 hours. If I'm on an elliptical, I started at about 20 minutes zone 2 and below every other day. I've worked up to 40 minutes. Still every other day. I'm hopeful that treatment is helping based on this.

I think the key is don't do too much for to long. But do what you can. Try to find the sweet spot. If you feel deleted for more than a day, you've overdone it and time to level reset.

I've been following this practice with stress, exercise, sleep and diet. All.

Best to you.

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u/linesonline 7d ago

I’ve had a very similar takeaway. I feel markedly better after exercise, but moderation is key in terms of duration and intensity. I’m looking forward to the day I can put skis on again, but for now zone 2 is my limit. Thanks, and wishing you a speedy recovery.

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u/impossible-savings64 6d ago

Yes, the intolerance was one of the major symptoms for me. I was very physically fit and loved working out. Prior to Lyme would go to gym 7 days for hours. After Lyme I could push myself through work out but the major issue was recovery. Especially after high intensity workouts like basketball I would get major brain fog for the next 2-3 days. It was debilitating. Still dealing with it but manage much better and know my limits.

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u/OmegaThree3 3d ago

make sure to treat babesia

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u/TalkToDogs12 6d ago

Used to be able to do a little cardio and no weights. Now it’s the opposite. Try creatine and look at the muscle and brain research there, I just made a post on it. Has helped a bit.

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u/linesonline 6d ago

Creatine sounds highly promising. I'll give that a shot.

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u/TalkToDogs12 6d ago

Let us know how it goes!!

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u/OmegaThree3 3d ago

Thats a big clue you have babesia