Weight Training and RA | Arthritis Information

 

OK I am new to the site... and a little background might help.

I have Ulcerative Colitis and has caused me to get RA.  I have UC for about 9 years now and RA for just about a year... I have tried a ton of things with my doc to no avail.  I have already been on Rhemicade (for the UC) for the past 2 years.  I am now going to start Methotrexate this weekend to see if it helps the RA (yes, I am nervous about this new medication but if it helps, great)

So here is my issue.  I have been training with weights for years and love it.  But for the past year or so I have been only able to get in and out of the gym a few times.  I have lost a ton of weight and muscle.  I am looking to get back to 90% of what I was in the past.

Anyone have any experience with weight training and RA?  Any suppliments help or hurt your progress?  Any diet ideas?  Any information could help! 

 

Thanks

Chris

Hi Chris,

There is a very good diet recommended for people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It is outlined in a book called Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. I only know about it because the autism community has discovered it and my son has autism. I am also using it to treat myself as my rheumatoid arthritis is severely aggravated by certain foods.

My blog is in my sig file if you want to check it out. The diet is extremely strict but you only have to follow it for a year and then many people can "cheat" and eat other foods now and then. I have seen some very promising gains.

restart your exercise program slowly.  Don't expect results immediatly equal to what you were acheiving beofre.  Work with a rehab specialist to inusure your are using proper joint saving technique.  Get the ok fro myour doctor first before starting anything

 

I don't really follow any special diet, but I do love going to the gym and doing weight training and swimming.  I haven't been able to go very much lately (too busy!) but when I do go regularly, I feel much better all around. Hey Chris,
Welcome to the site!

Like buckeye, I recommend that you work with a rehab specialist or trainer.  I really found it helpful to work with a trainer to learn modified/alternate techniques that I could use depending on how my joints feel.  He showed me different ways to work the same muscle groups with bands, ropes, machines, bars, free weights, balls, and more.

Best of luck!

- Joy

Thanks for the replies all.  I really hate not being able to go to the gym.  I has been such a big part of my life for the past 10 years or so.  I have talked with my Doc about returning and he stated to just take it easy at first and go from there.  He did not mention a PT but it is good idea. I will have to talk with him about it on my next appointment.

slbridges:  I have heard of diet and might give it a try.  I eat pretty clean as it is but I am sure there are things I am eating that I should not be or might be causing issues. 

 

Hiya, Rage, and welcome!!

I'm so happy to hear you're determined to keep moving and get back into the swing of things. I think that's the best approach to this disease. Don't ever let it take away what you love! As for weight training advice, I really don't have any. (I'm a chick, what do you expect?

Again, welcome to the AI family and continue posting with any questions you may have. We are here to help you out. Have a superfantastic and extra comfortable day!

[QUOTE=rage]

slbridges:  I have heard of diet and might give it a try.  I eat pretty clean as it is but I am sure there are things I am eating that I should not be or might be causing issues. 

[/QUOTE]

Hi Rage,

People with UC and other gut problems have lots of bacterial imbalances, so it might not be that a specific food is bothering you, it could just be an imbalance in your digestion. The book is very good with lots of references to back up the results. The reason for going down to a specific set of foods is to give your digestive system a break so it can heal. Then you can later go to other foods.

I too was a very healthy eater and thought I wasn't really having problems. I decided to do the diet along with my son and to my surprise, I am reacting exactly the same way he is -- with GI issues -- if I eat something that is not easy to digest right now. I was totally surprised by this! I am not allergic to any foods according to allergy tests, so this all makes sense to me. It is also helping with my inflammation.

Anyway, that is my two cents. :) Thanks for reading!
Hi Rage...welcome!

Thanks all... Yes, I am determined to get back to normal.  I am a very active person and hate sitting around because of the pain.  I like to be outside or in the gym! 

 

I am taking the MTX in pill form for now to see how well I tolerate it.  I seem to normally deal with med well.  I was on Imuran before (for the UC) and we told it could help my RA as well.  But it is not working and time for a change.  Seeing that the UC has been under control for just about 2 years, it is time to deal with the RA and not worry about the UC for now! 

I also workout a lot but have had to alter my routine over the last 22 years. As far as weightlifting goes, my Rheumy has advised me to lift heavier weights but less reps to minimize joint use. I never really followed that because, over time, I have found that either I feel up to lifting or not, and that much of a rep decrease was not significant enough to help.

With the help of Enbrel, I have gotten my disease under control and I regularly lift now. Certain exercises I have ruled out (mostly eliminated free weights because my wrists can still be a problem)and I also suffer from shoulder bursitis which has prevented me from doing any major upperbody stuff. Hopefully that will clear up though.

If your disease is active I recommend getting it under control first. In the past, I lifted despite the pain and probably did some damage. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between good ol' workout pain and damaging RA pain.
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