Don’t know if I can do it! | Arthritis Information

Like wayney, I have had RA since I was a child. I understand why it upsets wayney so bad. Because We both have been limited by what we can do, since a very young age, and we just have grown to come to accept that we cannot exercise and do things like newly diagnosed people use to be able to do. We did not get a chance in our life to be "healthy" and "normal". So to us this is "normal". Like when my RD told me I needed to walk a mile each and everyday. I wanted to literally laugh in her face! I mean I almost failed PE because I could not walk a mile in an hour! Yes, when I have good days I would like to be able to exercise, but I know that if I do it will just cause me more pain and fluid build-up and ultimately lead me to a flare.

I say exercise is fine for those of you who have done so before RA, but as for me and wayney we are forced to be "lumps on a log", because we probably have more damage done to our bodies from not having the treatment ya'll are able to receive to prevent damage.

I did not really take offense to the comment, I just over looked it. I just wanted to elaborate on possibly why wayney took offense to it. I know I am not as bad off as wayney, but I do understand where she is coming from. I do have times where I feel bad that I cannot and have never been able to do "normal" things. The most "normal" I feel is when I am pregnant. I can do so many more "normal" things. I did exercise a lil while I was pregnant. I did not enjoy it though, because I was not use to exercising since I have never been able to get my body to the point to where exercising made me feel good. Exercising always made me feel worst and like a loser because I could not do lunges or squats or stand on one foot without falling over.

I say exercise if you think you can and if it makes you feel better. Just do what you feel is right for your body.

Sure I am a lump on a log, actually I am a lump sitting on a computer chair...lol.

This Lump sits in a wheelchair or bed with puter.  Only thing I can do is my pool therapy. Guess was the term used, that hurt a bit.  I have only been a Lump for few years.  Used to be active.  Well, never 11 miles! But tennis, real swimming and lots of walking since I never learned to drive a car. (Another phobia).  But good for those who can do plenty excercising.

I almost got a new excercise yesterday, when planning on smashing this wireless router with a hammer.  Fortunately my hands are too crappy to do it, as it is working today. Yipee :-)

Wayney and Jooniper - I totally understand and I'm sorry I offended you.  I just took such exception to the comment about why I would want to do something like a marathon when I have RA.  I should have walked away and either responded later or never.  I just don't want to come here to be judged or to judge.  We are all individuals who are at different levels and I know RA is painful.  I've dealt with it since I was four and I know we each can't all do the same things. 

This is not the first time someone has responded to me that I should not being doing this because I have RA and that I am in denial.  I'm not but I want to encourage myself and encourage others to be themselves.  Personally, I hate exercise and always have.  I'm not athletic and never have been and "yes" I too also sit around like a lump on a log on many a day but when I feel good, I try again.  I know I'm not alone and I'm sure each and every day you all do the best you can just like I do. 

I can only apologize and say that I for whatever reason just took it very personally and I'm very sorry if my reaction also set off others.  I empathise, sympathize and encourage each of us in whatever you want to do and to be the person that you are - it's exactly what my rheumy tells me - encourage each and every RA sufferer to be proud and do the best you can.  It's all we can do!

PS:  Jooniper - I can't lunge either so don't feel bad.  In fact, I hate to say it but I can't even touch my toes and personally I think that is sad; however, it's my reality!

Oh You guys.  Lets not get mad.  Wayney, I am sure that Cristene did not mean that for those of us that can't exercise should be.  It is just ra is such a battle.  I am feel overwhelmed most of the time with this battle.  I cannot imagine what it would be like to have ra since childhood.  I think Cristene is just getting defensive because sometimes she is "put down" for trying so hard.  I say go for it while you can.  I can't do what she is doing right now and to tell you the truth, only six months ago it would have been "a piece of cake" - Only because I have been a walker/runner/hiker my entire life.  Now I can't do it.  I am grieving.  If I had ra from childhood, I would never have been able to do it.  My heart breaks for you and everyone that got this at a young age.  That is why you are such a treasure - you and Joonie and others that have been dealing with this all your lives.  You are half of the age of many of us "newbies" and you have so much to teach us. 

I know how emotional I have been lately.  Prednisone makes me feel crazy and still having pain on prednisone puts me over the edge.  I am scared too.  Scared to death of the limitations this disease puts on you.  We shouldn't battle each other, ra is enough of a battle.   I know there are many on here in my shoes and worse.  I hope we can be more patient with each other and support each other.  That is the problem with getting to know each other on the computer.  No body language or tone of voice to better communicate your true meaning.  Cristene has a big heart.  I am sure she did not mean to offend, she may be feeling defensive.  I know I have felt defensive about my determination to do all I can with this diagnosis.  That defensiveness is the anger at ra and the determination to beat it.  It may be misinterpreted  as aggression against other people's philosophies.  IT IS NOT!   It is our desperate attempts to cope and deal with RA.   I am just learning and I am so grateful that I can learn from you.  We are people in pain and fear.  I hope we can support each other and be patient with each other.   

I am happy that you are doing your training, you are inspiring others who are not as bad off as many.

I can touch my toes...lol...heck I can touch my palms to the floor. Hubby cannot even touch his ankles...lol. Being able to touch my toes and the floor means I do not have problems in my hips. Otherwise i would probably have trouble doing so. But for hubby it is due to his belly and not being so limber...lol.

And cris it is not sad that you cannot touch your toes. Like I said hubby is "healthy" and cannot touch his toes, he is only 20lbs over weight.

Thanks guys!  I really did make an ass of myself and to be honest, I don't even know why.  Like Roxy said above, she is scared and to be honest, that is my biggest emotion regarding this disease.  Before I got medication, I was so stiff I thought I would freeze into a statue and never move again.  Maybe that is why I try so hard to get out there and walk, even though it hurts. 

Truly I'm an idiot but if my walking is inspirational to just one person then I am happy.  I don't fault anyone for not doing the same as I.  We each have our own abilities and strengths.  Mine has never been athletic so maybe I'm crazy.  I even tried hip hop (well guess what - no way), I couldn't do it.  It hurt so badly on the old hips that I couldn't stand it.  I tried the rumba in ballroom dancing - same problem.  So I really do understand.  I guess walking is the only thing I can do.  It does hurt but mostly after I'm done and at one point, it was getting pretty severe but back on the pred and it's a little better so I can't give up yet but if I have to, I will do so.  Here's my new picture!

I'm feeling like such a jerk (justly so) that I couldn't sleep so I'm out here posting this hoping I can sleep afterwards.  Early morning flight to LA then back again Tuesday morning. 

You're not a jerk or an idot.  Just human.  Now get some sleep or you will feel like a STIFF Lump on a Log. 

and have a safe flight, please!