Date: 23.03.2010
From: Nicey
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Subject: RA & exercise???
Hi i'm new here,currently undergoing tests for RA, feeling really down at the moment. I am only 27 and have 2 children aged 2 and 5, finding it really difficult to even play with them lately due to the pain i'm in. Just really wanting to know if there are any exercises that I maybe able to try that may ease the symptoms? Any advice much apreciated.
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Date: 23.03.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hi Nicey, Nice name LOL, Welcome to your new found forum, full of good advice and amazing ppl, with all sorts of arthritis issues, R.A. Inflamatory artha, Osteo artha, P.A., all sorts of different types and different symtoms and pain levels, many on meds, some not, and lots on serious medications like Immune suppresants to dampen down the disease and stop any damage to the joints...so the gang in here r very friendly, very supportive, and give and give as much good advice as possible, as u know consultants r the specialists, but we r here to help one another by sdupport each other wehen life is hard and full of pain and difficulties, we talk also about coping or Not coping on a daily basis, with kids, without, Just everything we talk about, anything to make our lives easier, tips etc, and also about exercise. \i have been coming into the forum for year and half now, and find it so useful, and supportive, we also moan , whinge and we also Laugh and try and have a giggle. Regards exercise, well I use to be very active, unfortunately I have to go by my own personal experience, when I have pain, I cant do any exercise, so really Im not the one to talk to u about it really, all I know is, do what your body allows you to confortably to do, thts what most of us wld say in here, many of us cant do any, some can, So im hoping they will post u a message very soon. I have had Arthritis issues since 26ish, but incorrectly diagnosed back in 86/87 after my first baby was born..... there r so many differnt stories u will read, but aleays remember, we r all different and on different meds, talking of which, what type of Painkiler r u currently taking, becos altho u r waiting to see a Rhumatologist(im assuming your GP has referred U, If he hasnt, Get him to immed) Your Gp can give u good painkillers until u get your diagnosis from the Rhummy. even then u may Not get a diagnosis for a while, which is Normal, as they need to wait and see, tests etc, and more clinic appts after the first Initial one.....anyway, im rambling here, but I want u to feel comfortable in returning, as we truly do help as many people as we can, at the end of the day, even us Veterans of the dreaded Artha, as we call it, also need support. take care and hope to hear from u soon Jill
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Date: 23.03.2010
From: Nicey
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Thanks jill for your reply, a couple of weeks ago I had never heard of R.A just though that arthritis was something old people got. It's good to know that their are others out there who are going through the same emotions and can offer support, thanks. Only meds i'm taking are 400mg ibruprofen 3 times daily, not had results from blood test yet back at GP's next week. GP has said it maybe wear and tear? Not so sure myself as have other symptoms too. Just in limbo really at the moment, only thing I know is that my knees are hurting me daily now just want to get things sorted out so I can get on with my life. Sorry I know i'm rambling on but know one else seems to understand how i'm feeling right now. I have been reading about pilates may give that a go, sounds interesting?
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Date: 23.03.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hi Nicey, I have heard that Pilates is good,\i did do it b4 I got this bad, but it did strain my neck and lumber region, proabably me doing it all wrong....I think id ask gp first, just to be on safe side,. 5thid id the place to be, cos we all have pain and know how u feel for sure, sometimes family cant comprehend what we r going thru,thankgod I guess, but we feel alone, but being here, typing down how u feel and asking for help, is good, ive learnt soooooooo much from the forum....get a few nutters tho, and dont trust anything u think mite be good, in terms of a New herbal remedy cures everything, chek out website etc,always ask Gp first!...regards your meds, they start from the lowest dose usdually, and as the gp/rhumatologist get sto know u, and sees the pain level u have etc, U will get better meds to help with the pain, mind u, your GP cld easily give u something slightly stronger, ibubrofen is ok for a bad headache or a hangover LOLOL, NOT advocating Meds r the thing to take etc, but there r better painkillers out there, that will get U thru this bad time until u see your Rhummy? have u been referred yet?....Anyway, stay strong and positive, it will help get u thru this tough time...tc Jill
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Date: 23.03.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hi nicey! If your looking for exercise to keep fit Google seated exercise dvd's I found one that way. If u are looking to do exercises help the Arthritis Google. Exercises for arthritis. Some really good sheets explaining the exercises come up. Welcome to the forum by the way! X
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: jen
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hey Nicey,
welcome to the forum. Im 23 (24 in a few weeks, eek, gettin old ;) ) and have early stage RA. Im still in pretty good shape so I do Hatha Yoga and cycling. I find the cycling's good for buring calories but doesn't put too much pressure on the knees, and yoga is great for an overall stretch and keeps the range of movement in the joints. You can also modify the yoga poses to something to suit you, that's why it's important to go to a proper class and not try it at home with a video - you might hurt yourself. A teacher will know what's best for your condition, at least they should do, if not find another class! best of luck and sorry that you're going through this. it SUCKS.
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Nicey sorry to hear your story. Try not to despair re the getting the delay in diagnosis. They have to do all kinds of tests so it's a case of being a patient patient !! I know it's very difficult and sometimes even the experts can be wrong but you will get there in the end. I only gt a firm diagnosis last month and that was after about 18 months of tests at Rheumatology. You can always let off steam here and there will always be someone to talk to ;0) Re the exercise. The 1st Physio I saw said stretching exercise is good - you know you see Oriental people doing it in the morning - but I can't remember the name of it ? Anyone else know please ??
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Just Googled and it's called Tai Chi. Nicey I would ask your Consultant about this.
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hey Nicey! Im 24 and have RA since the age of 6. Im in a pretty bad way physically. Lots of deformed joints etc (having both hips replaced soon. Very excited!) But still able to work thank god so I haven't gone insane yet! lol I don't tend to exercise coz Im usually in too much pain, but I try and stretch as much as I can. God it feels good lol. Where abouts are you having pain? You mentioned your knees are sore? If you are in quite a bit of pain id at least ask the doc for some co-codamol coz its a little stronger I think (dont quote me on this lol) Hope youre ok otherwise : ) xx
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
P.S I said above im in a pretty bad way. Dont want sympathy just sayin how it is! lol xx (God Jill I know how you feel now!)
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hi Verity....im lucky tho compared to u, I didnt have this as a child, must have been a blidddddy nitemare for u,cant imagine and your parents must have gone thru hell too, plus now u say u have deformed joints, its rotten...I do have a huge bone thingy on my thumb at the base, looks like a huge knuckle, altho IO have trigger fingers in all fingers and thumbs, they arnt deformed, and being on the E£nbrel, hopefully they wont...U have been thru a nasty time 4 years Verity, U deserve Empathy...thats what I prefer....and u have mine, cos ya a sweet Girlie xx ps has ya fella got his head around the ops?
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: Nicey
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Thank you all for your responses. Jill no haven't been referred yet but am going to ask GP to refer me when I am back their next week, regardless of what the blood tests say! Verity, as jill said I think u deserve empathy sounds like u have had a tough time. I feel like a bit of a fraud to be honest as I am not in constant pain or anything like some of u, but I am struggling to do everyday things because my knees are quite stiff and sore (kind of like a ache or burning sensation). Both of my index fingers are now starting to feel the same way but this is only very recently. Plus I am always knackered, feel like I could sleep 4 a hundred years but I do have 2 little ones so i'm sure that could be the reason for my tiredness.
Back at GP's next tues so I will keep u all informed, think I will ask about pilates and Tai chi as I like the sound of both.
Thanks guys x
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Nicey - yes I had the tiredness thingy the other month. The blood tests shown I was anaemic [ there's a thread somewhere about it ] BUT since I've been taking the Iron tablets I've felt a bit better. Have they checked your Ferritin level ? There is a high level of people having arthritis and being anaemic.
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Awww thats realy nice, thankyou : ) Jill, Toms pretty good with it all to be honest. He tends to take things in his stride. He's just excitied coz he knows hes gonna get sex again afterwards hahaha!
The whole 'having it as a child thing' I dont think is quite as bad as youd think coz I don't have anything to compare it too. I can't really remember not having RA to be honest. i have a couple of photos of me as a child, crouching down. I like lookin at them coz I find it hard to imagine me crouching like that!. I have another of me kneeling that has the same effect. lol stupid I know, they just fascinate me. My only regret is that I never came to terms with it until recently. I wasted a lot of my teen years rebelling against it rather than looking after myself. I didn't take it seriously. Never once realised it would have such an effect on my life. My consultant always said ill prob grow out of it lol Nicey, everyones pain is totally different. Bits that hurt in me could be nothing to you and vice versa. Pain thresholds and all that malarkey. If youre in pain then you shouldn't feel like a fraud. Pain is pain. And when it starts to affect your life like you said, its really miserable. Def ask to be referred. I also get super tired. I only have the energy to work in the day and thats it. Tom (OH) has to do pretty much everything, bless him! lol He's very patient! haha God, Ive been writing for ages. I'll give it a rest now...... Hope everyones ok : ) xx
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Date: 24.03.2010
From: kirsty
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Subject: Re: RA & exercise???
Hey Nicey, havent read all the posts but i am 25 and have had ra for 4 yrs now i was erally active before and am fortunate to be again now they have got it under control - there is light at the end of the tunnel it will get better - i have definatly foudn swimming the best thing i understand u may not have time for this with 2 small children. But i found it helped me loads i try to go atleast twice a week - and do as much as little as i can depending on my RA not only do i feel like i have acheived something but just doin a few lengths in the pool makes me physically tired and relaxed and i seem to sleep a lot better afterwards. Hope thats usefull -good luck and keep ur chin up Kirsty
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