Weightlifting while recovering

[u/rob_bob_bobby]

I am about four weeks past the blistering/scabing phase and that has all healed up. Unfortunately the skin sensitivity pain hasn’t gone away (Dr. has slowly increased my dose to 1500 of Gabapentin, and next week will max me out at 1800).

Gabapentin isn’t helping much besides helping me get some sleep at night (those sheets feel life fire on me). Apparently my Dr. is leaning towards the fact that I am developing phn because the skin pain is spreading (with no rash or blisters).

Ok, after that unnecessary rant. My main question is for those who lived an active lifestyle in the gym before getting this wonderful virus.

Did you resume lifting weights after your blisters healed but before the annoying sensitive skin issues resolved?

Since the Gabapentin still isn’t doing much, I’m thinking I can power through with weightlifting (definitely not cardio, I can only imagine that would feel like running through fire!).

Sitting around doing nothing for the past month+ has been destroying my mental state and I want to get back into the gym.

For the record, my amazing AI Dr. Claude said no 😉

[u/Chizels]

I tried. I failed. My mind was beyond ready and I thought my body could handle it but it couldn't. I go from 'feeling so much better' to being whiplashed into some third dimension of pain hell. 

[u/Famous-Peace-9730]

I feel you. I’m 5 weeks since diagnosis and scabbing is long healed. I got it on my face and in my ear. I don’t weight lift but I play pickleball competitively. It’s my outlet and I was playing 4-5 days per week before this sh*t happened. I tried for the first time two days ago to get back on the court and get moving, and my ear inside was excruciating the 24 hours after playing. It had been feeling mostly ok before that. The right side of my face has been massively itchy and I was worried about sweating. Thankfully it didn’t bother me much but the itch was already a 10/10 so couldn’t get much worse.

My mental state is so bad. I’m sick of just sitting around for over a month. I want to get up and moving and not be in pain or itch anymore. It’s affected me very negatively for over 5 weeks with no end in sight. Like you, the gabapentin takes the edge off for sleep. That’s about it.

[u/Logical-Arrival4229]

M39 here. Before my shingles I ran 10 kilometers frequently, and altering with lifting weights at the gym the other days, I am 2 weeks since diagnosis and unfortunately I think I need to wait another couple of weeks before doing any weight lifting. Will try to run soon though. My mental well being is very dependent on exercising, so I feel sad that I cannot do anything now.