Walking is the Best Exercise for Liver Disease
For most of the last decade, I couldn’t even pretend that I was an athlete. Okay, with declining liver health, I kept cycling and walking fast trying to boost my energy, but it wasn’t on an athletic level. Running is fun and there are so many benefits, but you have to train slowly when you have health troubles. There are many reasons that walking is the best exercise for liver disease and I’m listing the 5 top benefits.
I’ve beat the Hepatitis C Virus and liver cancer, and I’m still at it. Not that I ever quit. Quitting is not in my vocabulary. I work out in various ways and have written about how to figure out the best way to get fit here and here. When you are starting a walking program, think about how much it will help you live stronger longer!
5 Benefits to Walking
Bone Strength – When you get regular workouts by walking at a fairly fast pace, your bones get more dense. Anytime you do a weight bearing exercise, your body kicks in and helps to make you stronger.
Weight control – Fat around the liver creates disease and can lead to fatty liver disease, obesity, diabetes, and liver scarring. Whoa Nelly! That was a scary sentence to read. Don’t be scared… just start walking.
Fighting fatigue – If you’re thinking you are too tired to balance your health, remember that walking a little over several days can increase your energy. Soon you will be walking further on down the road to better health!
Heart health –This one always scared me. I am a former smoker and used exercise to help me quit. I watched my heart rate go off the charts during exercise. Remember, your heart is a muscle and responds to a workout just like the muscles in your arms and legs. When threatened with varices from end stage liver disease, I knew that it could lead to a bleed out.
Happiness – You’ll be happy you walked. When you exercise, a shower of chemicals washes negative emotions off of your brain. Your mood is perkier. You feel stronger. I pinkie promise. I did 10 minutes on my mini-trampoline rebounder this morning.
Heart Rate Monitors
My doctors and family have always applauded my efforts to stay in shape while dealing with HCV treatment and eventually a liver transplant. However, I was a little reckless. For example, the time I walked out of the house several days after the transplant and circled the block alone got me in trouble with a capital T. My Garmin Forerunner 735 XT has a GPS tracker so even if my brain fog kicks in, they can find me.. And it even helps me monitor my heart rate with graphs and numbers. You can also try other fitness apps or watches.
Start Walking
I feel stronger and more alert. Of course, I’ll still get my nap, and also track my recovery and heart rate.The coolest part is that I’m competing with MYSELF. I want to be the healthiest and best version of me that I can possibly be.
I hope you’ll be motivated to walk more now. You can start with short 10 minute strolls and work up slowly. Add 5 minutes every week.
Are you ready? Start walking… I’m vibing on Nancy Sinatra’s “These boots are made for walking” now. Now, begin to picture yourself outside, because walking is the best exercise for liver disease. I’m beyond proud of you for taking good care of your body. Watch us go.. xo Karen:)
PS Call your doctor before you start. .. I know you know that.
20 thoughts on “Walking is the Best Exercise for Liver Disease”
Thanks Karen for the motivation! I love your positive attitude.
Tonya,
Your MOST welcome and thanks for the high five sweetie.
xoxo Karen
Amen Karen, you are such an inspiration. I beat HCV 2014, have cirrhosis (compensated). I did a 5K walk/run last year. I walk 1 -2 miles a day. I encourage this to all with liver issues. Karen is right on. I work full time, eat right, and thank God for every day that I am alive and healthy enough to enjoy my kids and grand baby.
God bless, Laurie
Hello Laurie! Thank you so much for sharing with us! What an inspiration you are to other people. Heck you are an inspiration to me as well. I am so happy to hear such a good result. Bless you, Dee
You have shown so much courage, faith and strength and offer inspiration and hope to everyone. I was diagnosed with chronic Hep C over 20 years ago and was on interferon. Needless to say that was unsuccessful and nit seeing much success in either combination regimens in the past years, I elected to stay off any treatment until recently. I have compensated cirrhosis and going on my second week of Harvoni. So far, I’ve had no major complains and continue to work full time.
Thank you very much to you all. I am glad I stumbled into this blog. It’s great to find a forum where I know I’m with people who share my thoughts, fears, feelings, joys and pain like nobody else can, and who I can learn from in my journey with Hep C. God bless you all!
Hi there! It is great to hear from you. I’m sorry you had to treat more than once, I know how that feels. I relapsed after my first treatment back in 2009. How are you feeling? I hope you are doing well. I also have compensated cirrhosis, though it has been 4 years since I was cured. My doctor thinks my liver is improving. I can tell by my skin that it is. Karen has a lot of really good articles she has written all about HCV, liver friendly diets, etc. Please keep in touch, we love to hear from people! Make sure you are drinking water to keep yourself hydrated. Take Care Dee
Thanks, Dee. Yes, I’ve started taking water more than I used to. I still have a long way to go but the day will surely come.
Hey there! Glad to hear, it will be over before you know it. You can always call the doctor if any side effects gets to be too much. I haven’t heard a lot about Harvoni other than some people get headaches. Some who are also taking Ribavirin get a little more symptoms. If you can, just take it week by week. 🙂 Dee
I have genotype 4 (without cirrhosis), 59 years old. I’ve been living with Hep C for 7 years now and according to my doctor this new treatment is much more successful than interferon (interferon treatment in 2011 failed, terrible headaches for 6 months). Does anybody know where I could get Harvoni for a lower price? I’ve heard that you can get in India for $1000 and an ex Hep C patient recommended the fix hep c buyers club, has somebody tried to get Harvoni from there? I would really value your experiences because I’m getting pretty desperate and finding genotype 4 cure got my hopes up.
Steve
I’m putting this out here and hope that some readers will respond to you. I’m not personally aware, but know it’s out there. Best of luck to you. We’re the same age. Keep eating well and take good care of your body while you wait. I have a friend in his 70’s who just finished Harvoni after failing interferon in the 90’s. BTW -Is there a chance for social security to pay for it?
Hi there Steve, the drug manufacturer is still providing financial aid to people. Also there is an organization called PAN, patient advocacy network. I will try to find it and get back to you.
Here is some more information regarding Geno type 4, I apologize for my ignorance. Here is a link to recommended treatment. I believe the same applies for help, manufacturer, then PAN Foundation
http://www.hepatitisc.uw.edu/pdf/treatment-infection/treatment-genotype-4/core-concept/all
Hey there! The phone number is 855-779-7284. If I find anything else I will get back to you, take care, Dee
I just found this information, guidelines for Genotype 4. I’m sorry I did not know there was a newer treatment for Geno 4’s
Genotype 4 Treatment-naïve Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis‡ – Recommended
Recommended regimens are listed in groups by level of evidence, then alphabetically.
Daily fixed-dose combination of paritaprevir (150 mg)/ritonavir (100 mg)/ombitasvir (25 mg) and weight-based RBV for 12 weeks is a Recommended regimen for treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 4 infection, with compensated cirrhosis.†
Rating: Class I, Level B
Daily fixed-dose combination of elbasvir (50 mg)/grazoprevir (100 mg) for 12 weeks is a Recommended regimen for treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 4 infection with compensated cirrhosis.
Rating: Class IIa, Level B
Daily fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir (90 mg)/sofosbuvir (400 mg) for 12 weeks is a Recommended regimen for treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 4 infection, with compensated cirrhosis.
Rating: Class IIa, Level B
‡ For decompensated cirrhosis, please refer to the appropriate section.
† Please see statement on FDA warning regarding the use of PrOD or PrO in patients with cirrhosis.
Genotype 4 Treatment-naïve Patients with or without Cirrhosis‡ – Alternative
Daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) and weight-based RBV plus weekly PEG-IFN for 12 weeks is an Alternative regimen for treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 4 infection who are IFN eligible, regardless of cirrhosis status.
Rating: Class II, Level B
‡ For decompensated cirrhosis, please refer to the appropriate section.
Hi Steve, I am currently taking Harvoni via the FixHepC buyers club in Tasmania. I only started this week and have minimal side effects. I highly recommend getting in touch with them and find out more about them. Ask questions, read through the info, talk to others there who have completed the treatment. So far my experience has been great. They are highly professional,answer any questions I have very quickly. Dr Freeman recently presented at the International Liver Conference in Barcelona.
P.S. Forgot to mention that I have genotype 1 and you will have to ask about treatment options for genotype 4. I am being monitored by a specialist here in New Zealand who also gave me the prescription to get the generic drug from India via FixHepC. Hope that helps. I wish you all the best!
Hi there! I just got an email that a new HCV drug has been approved, ALL GENOTYPES! It has been tested on people with cirrhosis both compensated and de-compensated and is working well. I hope this helps someone. Gilead will help people pay for the cost of it just as they normally do.
FDA approves first pill to treat all forms of hepatitis C
Federal health officials on Tuesday approved the first pill to treat all major forms of hepatitis C, the latest in a series of drug approvals that have reshaped treatment of the liver-destroying virus.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the combination pill, Epclusa, from Gilead Sciences, for patients with and without liver damage. The new drug’s broad indication could make it easier to use than five other hepatitis drugs recently approved by the FDA, which are each tailored to different viral strains or stages of liver disease.
Continue reading this entire article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-approves-first-drug-epclusa-to-treat-all-forms-of-hepatitis-c/
Steve are you in the us and what state could you share a little about your insurance situation If you find a good gastro they will help you negotiate a 12 week program my Hepatoligist arranged it for me thru Medicaid the bill was 0.00 my friend had the same experience thru her insurance and gastro Dr staff
there are some offers from the manufacturer of Havaroni for good prices
Good luck God be with you
Thank you! Glad you stopped by to chat. Some states are offering better help than others. I live in a state where most people can find a connection to care. I hope Steve is able to help you. xo Karen
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