Exercise and Thals - Thalforum

November 1st, 2004, 11:27 PM

I've had many people ask about exercise and what is possible and appropriate for thals. What's your experience with exercise? What do you do? How much do you do? Does it increase your energy level or does it tire you out? Are there some forms of exercise that are more beneficial to thals? Is it true that exercise can help with osteo? I'm sure there's much that can be said on this. What you say may help someone else. let us know what you do.

Angie · November 2nd, 2004, 01:12 AM

Hello everyone,
Well from my experience, exercise is beneficial for osteo and for our heart. Do as much as you can, I know that before a transfusion it's more difficult. My cardiologist said it's very important to do any form of exercise, as long as you don't over do it. And yes I do feel more energy.

waleed · November 3rd, 2004, 02:43 PM

Well , i've told this b4 , but again...
i started bodybuilding/weightlifting 3 months back..and yes everything is gr8 ... more energy , more stamina .... just feel a little bit tired b4 5 days of transfusion .... say my exercise would reduce from 100% to 80% , thats it , its not much reduction i think ...
i m gaining weights as same as normal ppl do and everything is as same as of those normal guys...... i gained 6 kgs in 3 months...kewl?
So guyz... u shud better try a gym , if u like ;)

Stagnid · November 5th, 2004, 09:53 PM

I am a Thal Major and I swim quite often, 2 - 3 times a week. 20 Laps (of a 50m pool). before a Transfusion after a transfusion, I really don't feel a big difference either way. 20 laps takes me about 40min - 1 hour. Sometimes on the same days as a transfusion, ie, straight from the Hospital to the pool. I feel swimming gives me more energy, but they say excersise give everyone (thals & non thals) more energy.

youlla · November 8th, 2004, 09:23 PM

Hello Stagnid,

I noticed from your profile you are work with the Blood Bank. Can you find out for me if Thal minors can donate blood? Is the blood good enough for people to use. I don't want to donate if it won't be of any help to anyone... Thanks

Smurfette · November 9th, 2004, 12:14 AM

I agree with Danny that swimming is the best form of exercise a thal major can do..It not also helps with the heart but also with the bones as well.... I have been swimming for the last few years and I do feel alot better...

Walking is great also as a form of exercise... As for the weights I am not too sure about lifting weights if your not strong enough to do so...Some doctors dont recommend using weights as it may put a strain on the heart and if you have heart problems then you will be in serious trouble..

Take care all
Theodora

Stagnid · November 9th, 2004, 04:50 AM

YES! Thal Minors (trait/carriers) can donate blood

I posed the question if thal minors can donate blood when I first started working at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to one of our doctors. The answer was that they can donate as long as on the day of the donation their Hemoglobin (Hb) is at the minimum required level. The only way to know your haemoglobin is to go in and attempt to donate.

If anyone has any other questions about donating blood in Australia please call the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au

floWer · November 9th, 2004, 11:00 AM

A family member of mine who has Thal Minor has donated blood for a few years.

The organisation she worked with encouraged staff memeber to donate blood. She was donating blood every 3 months.

eirini · November 12th, 2004, 11:07 AM

One other thing to mention about weight bearing exercise especially for the arms where most would have intravenous transfusion (apart from those with ports, lines etc) is that it improves your veins. After 28 years of regular transfusion, finding a good vein is like finding a needle in a haystack! I was told some time ago that weights were a good thing to do especially for your veins. Since starting a weights program, I've found I've been able to rotate the veins I use for blood tests & trans instead of using the same old one all the time. I've always been concerned I'd run out of good veins and haven't been keen to have anything implanted so this is one thing I can do.
Of couse everything should be done in moderation and with medical advice. I don't have any heart problems but still checked with my cardiologist and they said it was fine. I've done some more research and not doing weights properly can cause varicose veins in the legs. The following advice is given in relation to this:
Exercise with care. A well-toned leg muscle will pump out more blood than a weak muscle as you walk or move. But be careful with strenuous exercise. Abdominal pressure can block the flow of blood back to the heart. So when you lift heavy weights, for instance, make sure you blow out. Otherwise you increase abdominal pressure and your veins have to expand to get around this block.

Interestingly I found a chat forum for nurses which I found amusing as they discussed their experiences with taking blood from people's veins at http://allnurses.com/t15857.html - I too admire people with good veins!! So hopefully I won't be known as the one with the problem veins that hide away when the needle comes close at the hosp anymore! Worth a try :)

Frances · November 17th, 2004, 05:00 AM

Stagnid,

Thal minors can donate blood, wow! What is the minimum Hb required level, then?

Stagnid · November 17th, 2004, 06:21 AM

Hi France,

When I stated that Thal Minor can donate blood, I speak of donating blood in Australia.

Please check minimum Hb required level with the Blood Sevice in your country and if there are any restriction on Thal Minors. It may differ per nation. But remember, the only way to really know your Hb is to attempt to donate.

eliasbeth · February 26th, 2005, 12:57 PM

I can see lots of exercise can be done, how's the food diet, especially for little child ?

marientina · March 30th, 2005, 01:45 PM

On blood donating: All my life I was told I couldn't and it was a shame because I am O+. On the other hand, minimum hemoglobin requirements tend to be in the 11.5 and I am barely at 9, even as a thal minor.

Working out should be great for all thals. Exercice depletes the body of iron however so that should as usual be monitored. I feel dead for two days after my workout and have to drink quarts and quarts of water and electrolytes. I also feel awful after a massage or treatment with a chiropractor. My blood pressure drops too low because of all the blood vessels dilating and I am already very borderline (90/60).