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My first online exercise class for multiple sclerosis

6/13/2016

Have you ever thought about how working out more might be a great way to fight Multiple Sclerosis, gain strength, and connect with new friends all around the country? What if the drive there, the work out, and then getting back home safely was a concern and too much at times to manage?

Being challenged recently to do a beta testing of the MS Forward Tele-Fitness program offered in partner with Health Care Journey’s… I figured this was a challenge I would love to try!

Last night with the awesome guidance of Daryl Kucera, Owner and Founder of Fast Forward LLC, MSforward and Powerforward in Omaha, Nebraska the testing of “Tele-Fitness” began by connecting the gym in Omaha, with myself in Carlsbad, CA and another lady on the East Coast.

We worked out for approx. 45 minutes, and as shown in my video, I was certainly challenged. My level of working out recently has been very minimal due to a recent bout of Optic Neuritis, and other MS related health issues. I was skeptical that I could manage, and this would be far too difficult for me to handle.

My first impression was how fun it was to see the trainer, and others working out in Omaha, along with another screen showing me the other people working out remotely. That interaction, along with the positive guidance given to each person by Daryl, leading us through the session made the time fly!

Any apprehension I was feeling before we started: “I’m too out of shape”, “I hate to see myself and my flaws during working out”, and “I won’t be able to keep up with others” were all put at ease immediately. From the very start, no matter where you were located, the feeling of inclusion, and support from all was very apparent!

I was tired, sweating, and breathing very hard at times. Yet, as we all were encouraged, I did what I could, at the level I was able, and surprisingly was able to accomplish the entire session which gave me a huge level of pride in saying: “I DID IT”!

The training is great, and the remote aspect to me not an issue at any point. If you have a laptop, computer, phone or ipad that will allow you to access the website, have a camera and microphone you can be working out too! Barb worked with me a few day prior to ensure I had the “technical aspect” mastered… and if I can do it, anyone can! She was awesome, and walked me through the 3 minutes it took to download the software needed and test that we could connect.

We all have different levels of ability with MS, we all have good and bad days but I would say why not give this a try! When we are remote or isolated at times, this opens a door to meet new people, improve our strength, and laugh as we have fun together! I didn’t have to drive anywhere or secure transport to go to a facility as usual for Physical Therapy.

Check out “snips” of my experience (please don’t laugh too much), and come join us! (you can email us at admin@healthcarejourney.com if you are interested) I’m looking forward to next week, and to see how this type of exercising with others, all the while in my own home brings me to a higher level of health and fitness.

MS, Take a HIKE!

Terri Yonemura

1 Comment

Views on Starting Online Exercise Classes

6/6/2016

2 Comments

I was asked to write a blog about the upcoming trial of the online exercise classes that will begin soon. Someone asked me how I felt about taking the class and did I have any concerns. When I began to think about it, my first response was " I don't want to even try it". How can they possibly bring all levels of patients together and develop something fit to every ones needs?

As some of you know, there are many days when we wake up despite our diagnosis, that we just don't want to even move. I hate exercise. However, we know it truly makes us healthier. For some our MS makes it very difficult. As for me, I have horrible balance issues, muscle spasms and severe numbness and tingling. So that said, my activity level has greatly decreased.

So with trepidation, I will give it a shot. I try as hard as it is sometimes to see the glass as half full. Trials help answer questions and concerns. Maybe the program will need separate classes for individuals needs, maybe each level of patients will inspire others with support and guidance. I don't have the answer. I only know it never hurts to try. I'll keep you posted as I begin this journey.

Do I look forward to exercising? Hell no, but I'll keep trying and thinking of it as a way to make new aquaintences and possibly do my body good. Stay tuned. And if any of you want to join us, there is still time to sign up. Just send an email to admin@healthcarejourney.com and let them know.

Susan

A BIT ABOUT SUSAN...Susan is a registered nurse who worked in high risk obstetrics at Brigham and Women's for twenty years. She is also a certified nurse paralegal. She is currently not practicing as she is disabled because of MS. She was diagnosed 8 years ago with RRMS and has a daughter who also has MS.

2 Comments

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Important Safety Information

Before beginning treatment, you should discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif with your healthcare provider.

Rebif can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed below while taking Rebif.

Behavioral health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts. You may have mood problems including depression (feeling hopeless or feeling bad about yourself), and thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide
Liver problems or worsening of liver problems, including liver failure. Symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark colored urine and pale stools, yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eye, bleeding more easily than normal, confusion, and sleepiness. During your treatment with Rebif you will need to see your healthcare provider regularly and have regular blood tests to check for side effects
Serious allergic and skin reactions. Symptoms may include itching, swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, anxiousness, feeling faint, skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or skin blisters and peels
Injection site problems. Symptoms at the injection site may include redness, pain, swelling, color changes (blue or black), and drainage of fluid
Blood problems. Rebif can affect your bone marrow and cause low red and white blood cell and platelet counts. In some people, these blood cell counts may fall to dangerously low levels. If your blood cell counts become very low, you can get infections and problems with bleeding and bruising. Your healthcare provider may ask you to have regular blood tests to check for blood problems
Seizures. Some people have had seizures while taking Rebif

Rebif will not cure your MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.

Do not take Rebif if you are allergic to interferon beta, human albumin, or any of the ingredients in Rebif.

Before you take Rebif, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following conditions:

mental illness, including depression and suicidal behavior
liver problems, bleeding problems or blood clots, low blood cell counts, seizures (epilepsy), or thyroid problems
you drink alcohol
you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Rebif will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with Rebif
you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Rebif passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will use Rebif or breastfeed. You should not do both

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of Rebif include:

flu-like symptoms. You may have flu-like symptoms when you first start taking Rebif. You may be able to manage these flu-like symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain and fever reducers. For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time. Symptoms may include muscle aches, fever, tiredness, and chills
stomach pain
change in liver blood tests

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Rebif. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Indication

Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.

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