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Will Exercise Strengthen My Stomach Muscles After A Pontine Stroke While Having EDS?

Posted on Thu, 9 Feb 2017

Question: Hi, I have had a pontine stroke and have Ehler Danlos Syndrome. As a result of to many IV's to quickly I gained 50 lbs in about 1 week. The right side of my stomach muscles have collapsed and I have Evantration as a result. It can be very uncomfortable, but not painful. I am not able to have surgery due to the EDS. Can I do exercises to strengthen my stomach muscles on the left side or will they potentially collapse as the right side has done. A further part to the question is will it harm my L side to put that much pressure on it? Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can exercise.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry for what has happened. I must say that I am a little puzzled by that account of gaining 50lbs from too many IVs, perhaps there are other causes. Even if there was such swelling as to cause such a weight gain diuretics might help.

Regarding your question on exercising, yes you can do exercises to strengthen your stomach muscles. Exercises to strengthen the core are always recommended in EDS patients. As long as you do not over exercise too quickly, increase your exercise load gradually and avoid hyperextension exercises you should be fine.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (26 minutes later)

Thanks for the info, the reason for the weight gain they assumed was from the IV's because I was barely eating or drinking. I was on diuretics and my skin was actually oozing fluids. By my second hospitalization I had gone in liver failure. My lower lobes of my lungs were not able to expand and I landed up in the ICU for 4 days. I have 2 children who are adults, but having them did not collapse my muscles. Do you what else could have been responsible for the fluid gain? I am thrilled that I am able to think and walk now.

It's making the Evantration worse what I am most concerned about.

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Read below

Detailed Answer:
There can be many causes for retaining fluids. Liver, kidney, heart conditions can all lead to that. One possibility in your case, not eating and drinking, might've also been low protein levels which may lower the oncotic pressure in the vessels and make water go out into the tissues, liver failure influences that as well as the liver produces albumin one of the main proteins. Anyway these are all assumptions as I do not know much about your test results and their evolution in time. It should gradually improve if the above mentioned organs are functioning better now.

Let me know if I can further assist you.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar