building muscle!

I didn't mention this in my last post, but wow is it something I am grateful for - just a wee sign of healing progress really.  But it feels huge to me.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I walked around for 2 hours at an outdoor street festival in my neighbourhood last Sunday.  Then I walked, at a normal pace (oh, the excitement!!!!), all the way home.  20 minutes. 

I've been physically able to walk for 20 minutes at various stages of my recovery.  But not always at a normal pace.  And almost always with considerable body fatigue and stiffness as I arrive back home. I recently actually came across some info about why this could be...  A scientific study out of Newcastle University concluded that CFS/ME patients produce an average of 20 times more acid when they exercise. It is this build up of acid that then makes the body feel sore, with aching muscles that then don't work as well. (More info here: mecfsForums).  Now they didn't study chronic lyme of course - but I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens to us - my own experiences indicate that it does.

But the awesome thing about last Sunday is that this did NOT happen after my big wander/walk session.  The crazy, gross pain didn't overwhelm me as it usually does.

Then, the next day, on Monday, my body was a little bit sore.  And on the second day after, Tuesday, quite sore.  But a different sort of sore.  Like after a workout sore!!!!! Despite that I can barely remember how that feels, it was still familiar.  

My friend, who works with a personal trainer regularly, tells me this means I am actually, incredibly, building muscle!  How amazing is that?

I am super crazy happy about this thought.  Am I nearly there????  To the point where my body can actually rebuild muscle?  After years of lying in bed with my muscles atrophying?

YAY!