I need to get a bit fitter and am thinking to join a gym with a swimming pool. I know my immune system can be lowered with taxotere but does anyone know if it is OK to go swimming while receiving chemo?
Hi Patricia
Check this out with your medical team but usually advice is against swimming while on chemo because of the risk of infection.
best wishes
Ann
Hi Patricia
Like you I’m wanting to get fitter but am also on taxotere. I also would like to swim but have decided to wait until I’ve finished due to infection risk. But I’ve been referred to a Marie Curie physiotherapist who’s going to give me a personal rehabilitation course which I’m hoping will show me what other exercise I can safely do in the meantime. Is this something you have access to? When I say ‘referred’ I mean I found out about the course and asked to go on it, but needed the ok to come from my oncologist. But all very straightforward.
Best wishes.
Alison
Hi,
Personally I wouldnt go anywhere near public pool on chemo (am on tax). Our bodies are at a very low ebb (immunity) and I wouldnt wish to put myself at any risk of infection. I find it hard enough on tax without any other problems. The gym equipment may be ok but would take my own towel and clean all handles before I used them. Better still use a hand gel. A gym is a lovely warm sweaty place for passing on infections etc. Dont get me wrong, I love sport, keeping fit but this is one time I am not taking any chances to be put back.
Chris x
Hi
I had tax last November and was advised not to go swimming. Your immune system is so low and even a normal cough/cold can knock u for six. I got a cold which turned into chest infection and had me hospitalised for 8 days.
So I would say No, but check with your team
Dawn
xx
Hi,
May I suggest yoga? I find Hatha Yoga is gentle, yet gives me a good workout. Taxotere has done damage to my leg muscles (finished chemo 28/8) and I am receiving physio. My physiotherapist recommended I should take up yoga again and I am really enjoying it AND getting fitter. It’s also helping my legs!
Swimming seems risky at the moment. Have you had your flu jab?
Sue xx
Thank you for all your excellent advice which I have taken on board. I got a email reply from my oncologist today, and his comment was
“Some people advocate avoiding swimming pools during chemo for fear of infection. My bias is that they are full of disinfectants and probably quite sterile and the benefits of cardiovascular exercise on improving prognosis outweigh the small theoretical risk.”
So I am having a think about it at the moment. Have already started a weekly yoga class (which I really enjoy) and am unsure whether I need a flu jab - has everyone else had one?
Pat
Hi Pat
Your onc sounds very much like mine - he has always adopted the policy of “if you are going to get an infection, you will get one whatever you do or don’t do” because of the daily contact anyway with germs etc. He just recommends that if I know my blood counts are low, to take a bit of extra care - but has always supported me in continuing working in a pre-school Nursery where there are always colds, tummy bugs etc as he feels the psychological benefits outweigh the increase in risk.
I haven’t had a flu jab but would be interested in hearing whether others have.
Kay x
Yes my oncologist’s attitude is very similar Kay, I saw him on Tuesday and he supports me working and carrying on with my usual lifestyle as much as possible. My blood counts are holding up at the moment. I do still swim when I feel like it, going to a hotel with a pool at the weekend but my lung function restricts me more than the worry of infection
kathryn
I had AC and then Taxotere and swam all the time, and managed the gym and cycling right up to the end without going down with anything. But now tax is over I’ve gone down with a virus that has kept me away from sport for 3 weeks. Since diagnosis I’ve tried to carry on as normal as poss with work/sport, this was my way of dealing with the BC. But I have put on about 8lb since being on Tax - hate to think how much I’d be if I hadn’t done what excercise I did do. Problem now is that I start radiotherapy and have had my Tattoo’s I’m not allowed to lose weight as the tattos will be in the wrong place!!
Good luck with the Tax.
Ps. Was only allowed my flu jab once chemo had finished.
I think your oncologist’s reply is very sensible Patriica. I have been very surprised to read all this fearful stuff about travelling on the tube and not going swimming. My first oncologist used to say that it was OK to do anything I wanted to do as long as I felt well enough to do it and that has always been the guidance I have taken. I hate swinmming so that’s never been an issue, but through 30+ chemotherapies I have always tried to do the things I want to do. Sadly, at times my ‘fatigue’ has been so bad that haven’t been able to do the things I’ve wanted to…but as soon as I feel better I’m off and out…trains, buses, cinemas… So Patricia if you feel like swiming go for it…we only live once.
best wishes and good luck
Jane
I’m with Jane…I really do try and live as normal a life as possible…enjoy your swimming…yes I had the flu jab a few weeks ago…no side effects, I had the jab at start of next cycle so bloods were good…I’m on the highest dose Xeloda…x
I agree that you should go swimming if you can, there is obviously a risk of infection, but if you can avoid really busy times, and try not to swallow too much water!! It is worth the risk for the positive benefits it gives you. If you can afford to join a private health club with a swimming pool - go for that as it will not be used quite as much as a public pool, nor are there as many children swimming.
I myself have given up swimming very reluctantly for the moment as it was badly effecting my feet ( I have the hand foot syndrome), I think it is the effect of the chlorine. I am now on a reduced dose, so if my feet improve, I will probably start again.
In the meantime - I have bought a WII Fitness console - It is great - I go jogging in my living room, you can also do yoga, stretching exercises, balancing, hula hoop, step etc and all at your own pace in the comfort of your living room!!. So I try and do a little bit as much as possible, to avoid stressing my feet too much.
JOY
Just to add my two-pen’ orth…
My onc said it all depended on whether it was a crummy pool or a well-maintained one! So I avoided the usual local school pool and went to a clean smart new one. I didn’t swim at times when i knew my count was particularly low, but it was pretty low all the way through and i didn’t get an infection. I reckoned with 3 children in the house they were going to bring home anything that was going round anyway!
Enjoy whatever you do - I found any form of exercise was a great help, however gentle.
Jx
Hi Patricia,
The breast nurse in my department said not to go swimming, but then my onc. said that I could go swimming! So I went swimming! Had no problems. Haven’t been recently as it is too cold and it was an outdoor pool. I also swam with my head out of the water as I felt safer that way, even though I am a good lap swimmer.
I had my 'flu jab a couple of weeks ago. First I checked that my blood count was OK, after a scheduled break and then had it a couple of days before my next treatment. I felt no side effects.
I am cautious about going into crowded places - haven’t been to the cinema in a year, and when I flew to Italy I wore a face mask on the plane. In 2001, when I had chemo the first time I caught what would normally have been a 3 day cold, but it took over 2 weeks to shake and I felt awful. So I am prepared to miss out on certain things if I can avoid getting sick.
Best wishes,Penny