Rowing after blood clot in leg

[marvy1]

Hello. I continue to be treated for a blood clot in my left leg. The doctor has given me the OK to resume rowing and I started again today with no ill effects. Even with a slow start (only 3 minutes) I immediately felt the endorphins start to 'kick in' and I felt more energy for the rest of the day. So that's my question: Will I feel more energy even from such a small start? Thanks! Marvinh

[Dangerscouse]

Yeah you will. If you keep it within the UT2 or even UT3 zone you will be stimulating your endorphins more than draining your Central Nervous System.

We are hardwired to move and be active so your body responds quickly even if it is just a small amount of movement

[Cyclingman1]

Hello. I continue to be treated for a blood clot in my left leg. So that's my question: Will I feel more energy even from such a small start?

Let's see if I understand this. You are in the midst of a blood clot, I presume DVT, and you want to know about energy levels. I'm thinking 99.9% of persons would want to know about likelihood of worsening current blood clot or having another one. Definitely info in this forum on DVTs. No talk on energy levels.

[marvy1]

Hello JimG. Yes, the blood clot is caused by a DVT. I did get the doctors approval to start rowing again, and I am doing it very slowly at first. I have been under treatment with Eliquis for almost 3 months, so I am not concerned with worsening the blood clot or having another one. The original blood clot was caused by a different medication (Tamsulosin) and I stopped taking that right away. The swelling in my leg is mostly resolved.
So the reason for my question was to inquire about my energy levels, which I noticed improved right away. Thanks! Marvy1
PS. I will also do a search for DVT on this forum.

[JerseyPhil55]

Hi - I had clots in both pulmonary arteries in 2005. Apparently they found them just in time. After a couple of weeks of Heparin injections, they put me on long-term Warfarin. Rowing was probably what saved me before the diagnosis, as I was getting v breathless for no obvious reason. They scanned me and found the clots. Post diagnosis, I used the rowing machine as my main form of exercise, and it was nice to see the fitness gradually return (they reckoned I would have lost some lung function but still encouraged me to exercise as hard as I wanted). I'm now on Eliquis and still row 3-4 times a week, plus weights etc. My personal view is that exercise is a boost for most conditions, and as long as I can pump blood around my body I feel it must help. It also gives me an early warning of potential problems, so that if breathless symptoms ever return I reckon I would spot them quicker via the feedback on the rowing machine. Good luck with the recovery.

[clampe1066]

I was diagnosed with DVT/PE three months ago and today was the first time I've tried the rower.

One week ago my doctor told me that the chances of a DVT breaking off at this point is very miniscule, as all that is likely left is scar tissue and valve damage. Still, my clots were on the back of my leg, just above and below the knee, or the precise location where maximum pressing occurs in the legs while rowing. Because of this, I've been leery of rowing and had even decided to sell the rower so I can buy a bikeerg.

Also, to be honest, I was more scared of getting short of breath from the rower than I was the leg clots themselves. Not being able to catch your breath is a terrifying experience that feels like it goes on forever, even though it is literally only seconds. I have gotten to that point once or twice on the C2 BEFORE I had the PE, due to stupidly pushing myself too hard. I was afraid I would easily reach that point, post PE.

Anyway, I went super, super easy today and did a 500m row in about 2:50. My legs have been a bit achy all day and after I took a nap, I felt really low energy levels.

I don't know if either of those was caused by the rowing but the single row I did increased my resolve to sell it and buy a bikeerg. I've always been a bicyclist (more leisure than workout) and bought the rower solely for it's cardio benefits. The only problem is that C2 is out of bikeergs for the forseeable future. I did get on the waiting list, I think fairly early, so hopefully the wait won't be too long and we'll have plenty of warm, sunny, non-windy days in the meantime.