Endurance sports? Seeing well-being specialists besides your HIV doc?

[mecch]

Does anyone have personal experience with doing endurance sports and having HIV? 

I was told its good to do some strength training and some rather lite aerobics - swimming, walking, etc.

Anyone have links or information about training for marathons, or even doing really strenuous aerobic classes, etc...

My meds will control the virus.  Haven't had hiv very long so not much wear and tear on anything yet.  Any reason I shouldn't push it a bit exercising?

Also - just wondering if in USA or in England - do you get referrals and insurance coverage for seeing nutritionists and/or sports therapists?  All comes out of pocket in my country. 

Thanks

[J.R.E.]

I enjoy walking. I also like power walking, and try to do this several times a week, with hand weights. I also like swimming, and riding the bike. And now that the weather is starting to cool down a little bit, here in Florida, we can start riding more. Ususally the most that Ed and I will do, is 20 miles round trip. It take us about two hours, and that's really not pushing it hard. Other than that, not much else.

Ray

[Eyesing]

My doctor told me I can do intense exercise if I want to.  I had asked specifically about high belt taekwondo classes and she said that is fine.

That's all I know sorry!

[GSOgymrat]

There is no problem with doing exercise. The only situation I am aware of where you may need to be concerned is if your CD4 count is under 200 and you are doing extreme endurance sports, such as marathons or triathlons. Extreme endurance sports can temporarily suppress your immune system.

In the US there are many different insurance companies and plans. Many will not pay for nutritionists or sports therapists without some kind of medical condition to justify it. A friend of mine works for a pharmaceutical company and his insurance pays for him to have a massage every two weeks!

[mecch]

Oh yeah I remember that good ol days USA Rolls Royce insurance, cause I had it in NYC for about 5 years in the 80s. It paid - massages, sports trainer (attached to osteopath), health club, shrink, dental, ANYTHING goes at dermatologist (facials as acne treatment) etc etc etc.  Dem were da daze

Well its nice to know my HAART payments are going to give somebody something useful (good insurance with massages) and not just for fat executive lifestyles.

Thanks for the info so far.  No problem for CD4 count.

So does anyone know of any Internet sites that might serve this population - you know some kind of "Jocks with HIV" group, or forum??

Ciao

PS - I just downloaded and watched that SNL season premiere with Michael Phelps.  He was cuter than I had know, and not stupid.  I liked all the bad wigs they made him were.  He as freaky long arms and short legs, but overall... mmmmmm