Reply To: An update from emitch74…

shellbones,

Initially, I did experience a lot of fatigue during inpatient rehab [as well as outpatient rehab after I was sent home]. Taking naps between rehab sessions became part of my daily routine just like everything else.

Obviously, tipping the scales at 400+ lbs clearly demonstrated that I was in terrible shape to begin with so I cannot say for certain if it was the CIDP that was at least partially to blame for such fatigue or was it simply because I was too fat and out of shape. Let’s call a spade a spade.

The only residuals I experience now is minor tingling in my legs that tends to come and go. It’s more of an annoyance than any real hindrance though and for the lost part I’ve learned to just ignore it. I just approached my rehab (and now my workouts) with no regard for my condition whatsoever. The thought of slowing it down a bit because I have CIDP is not something that even enters my mind.

If you’ve been reading the stories of others who also suffer from this condition, you know by now the cliché that everybody’s body responds differently with CIDP [and GBS for that matter]. I would never suggest that others should take the very same approach with their rehab/workouts because I would feel terrible if someone heeded my advice and pushed himself/herself too hard, resulting in a setback. What worked for me may not necessarily work for you and vice versa.

My goal once I regained enough strength back to live a normal life was to lose as much weight and get into the best shape I possibly can so that my body would be able to handle another relapse far better than it did the last time. I certainly never expected to drop half my body weight and have the ability to squat 450+ lbs. But the faster those numbers dropped on my scale the harder I pushed myself.

Last summer, I used every kind of cardio machine imaginable (treadmill, stair climber, bike, arc trainer, elliptical, Precor AMT, running outside, etc. etc.) and my legs began forming into tree trunks and became Incredible Hulk strong. I did do quite a bit of lifting as well but getting down to my ultimate goal weight was my first priority and lifting was more or less put on the back burner. I was doing 2-3 hrs of cardio a day and those around me thought I was insane. They were probably right. But I was determined to achieve my goal and never took time off to rest. I went on vacation to Missouri to visit a friend of mine last June and still worked out 5 days that week.

I’ve essentially taken my game to another level since lifting is now my #1 priority and seeing definition all over from head to toe has quickly turned lifting into a passion of mine.

I don’t know why I don’t experience the residuals on a day to day basis that most other members of this forum do but I like to think that my approach and determination to work my ass off as hard as I can and continuing to eat healthy has a lot to do with it.

Hope my long winded response helps.