Strength and balance issues

celldweller454

Hello all,

I was diagnosed with large t-cell lymphoma in May 2023. Spent 3 weeks in the hospital and have been undergoing Chemotherapy ever since. Being that I'm getting close to the two year mark, I was curious if it was normal to still have balance and strength issues. I try to work out with resistance bands but what I can do is pretty limited due to being on oxygen for pulmonary hypertension. Balance seems to be even worse when wearing shoes for some reason. I was curious if anyone else experienced this? Thank you

Beta13

Six months have gone by since my last and final chemo. No question about it, my strength is diminished, and I still have balance issues. What seems to help is:

Hand excercises, and 15 to 30 minutes on my exercise bike each day. I still have to use cane to keep my balance but I try to walk a distance everyday without it. The process is slow, but I have noticed improvement along the road to recovery. Easy to get discouraged, but I am determeind to fight back. I guess the secret to all of this is get advice where you can and never, ever give up.

Beta13

Same problem, but it has been over a year since my last treatment. I also do hand exercises, stationary bike and treadmill. The treadmill seems to provide the best result, but I need to be on it much longer. I still have to use a cane, but due to having right foot neurophy makes things a bit more complicated. I am with you on the never give up. The other isssue is I am bone on bone on my right shoulder and on some days the pain is a level 9. However, surgery is schduled for October 13, and I am looking forward to that event. It wll be nice to be able to get a full nights sleep. I sure wish you the best and I think you have it figured out that a positive attitude is very important.

po18guy

For males, testosterone gel can help to build muscle mass. As to neuropathy, It takes time. My hands improved much more than my feet. Basically, exercise and repetitive use seem to be about the only way to recover some nerve function. I find that riding a bicycle has helped me. However, I was put on high dose steroids post-transplant and developed diabetes so more neuropathy in my feet. Ah, well. I find activities that do not require balance on my feet. As to that balance, it is pretty much shot, and I have difficulty when leaning forward in particular. I cannot stand on one leg for more than a few seconds. And, for a laugh, the steroids ruined my left hip (avascular necrosis), which makes a cane a 50-50 proposition. But, I am now in remission from my 4th cancer, so it helps to place things in perspective.