Question | Arthritis Information
How do you tell the difference between RA stiffness and just the normal aging process. For instance, if I sit "indian style" on the floor, when I get up those first steps are hard on my ankles and knees. Is it RA, or is it just because I'm 45 and haven't exactly been gentle with my body all these years?
could be either, i would think it would take longer to work out with ra
It is probably RA.
I have a hard time telling which is RA & which is Fibro. They both do about the same thing to my joints. So... I just say it is both LOL!
Indian style??? Dude! I have not been able to sit like that since Elementary school! Like 30 years ago.... LOL!
This is something I've struggled with. At 40 years old, I'm not "old" but I'm definitely not "young" either. On the other hand, I consistently outperform most of my "healthy" 30-something and 40-something friends and acquaintances at physical tasks. I don't hide the fact that I've been diagnosed with RA, but I don't advertise it either. So once in a while when I have a flare and I have to "drop out" for a couple of weeks, people are surprised to hear that I have RA.
Since I was a "young" 46 when I was dx'd- having never suffered with any pain or stiffness and was very flexible- I blame everything on RA now. I just can't believe it would have changed this dramatically over the course of 1 1/2 years.
[QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]Since I was a "young" 46 when I was dx'd- having never suffered with any pain or stiffness and was very flexible- I blame everything on RA now. I just can't believe it would have changed this dramatically over the course of 1 1/2 years.[/QUOTE]
If the RA has affected your mobility, then you're not getting as much exercise as before - which will cause you to have pain, stiffness, etc when attempting "normal" activity. That's indirectly related to RA, but not a direct result of RA's actions on joints.
Ugh! Indian style! I just think about it and puts my joints on the war path! There is a difference in the feeling between RA and age to me too. Sometimes it is hard to accept the limits of both "conditions". But Snow is right, you can insist you are 20 years younger all you want, but it still won't change the reality. Still, I try not to let any of it stop me from doing what I want to do, (and I know Snow does not either) there are ways around just about anything. And there is nothing wrong with the A.M. jolt!
Hee hee... Jas, I can just see you 'schooling' the youngsters as you skate over the fence! You go girl!
ha! I haven't even been able to SIT indian style since I was 10.....thanks to destruction and loss of mobility in my right knee..........
I carry way more weight that I'd own up to right now, but hope that moving a little better as I am at this moment will make that change soon.....
I get up from my desk and it takes a few slow steps before I can walk well enough not to look about 80 I admit it...I tend to blame nearly ever limitation on RA and joint erosion while I KNOW that the extra weight I am currently packin' round, my 60+ years, the activities I was involved in pre-RA, making a living on my feet, and a host of other factors play into the aches, pains, twinges, limitations, and "ah shucks" I experience day by day. It is just SO easy for me to blame it on this autoimmune dysfunction...yeah, I am fat, lazy and sixty plus.
JR- yes I admit I have become more sedentary since RA. The fatigue from either the meds or the disease did it to me. I wish I could find some energy.Who knows. Aging, damage, PsA and RA pain sometimes are interchangeable. I haven't been able to sit in yoga position for years and I don't kneel. Other than that I'm active, can outshop, outwalk my daughter in law and many of the younger baby boomers but on my flare days I feel and move like a hundred year old.
I try and tag the pains and aches but have given up, really doesn't matter to me. I just know I can golf and walk now and that's all that matters. Look at what you can accomplish and that might give you an answer. Lindy
Well I think to get a fair answer you should ask people that do not have RA. LOL I personally really get stiffness really bad. I do not think the average eighty year old would get as stiff as I do sometimes.I am older than any of you and I find that upon awaking that doing a few leg lifts(one leg at a time) and then doing the same with my arms helps me move around first thing in the AM. Also a little stretching helps. My cat helps me..LOL And pain is pain whether it's RA or otherwise.
[QUOTE=GG]I am older than any of you and I find that upon waking, that doing a few leg lifts(one leg at a time) and then doing the same with my arms helps me move around first thing in the AM. Also a little stretching helps. My cat helps me..LOL And pain is pain whether it's RA or otherwise.
[/QUOTE]
How does your cat help you?AHA! When GG answers you will have another good reason to give your husband joonie!
I think that is an excellent question! I think many who have RA automatically assume that it is RA related even though it might be age related or inactivity related. My stiffness is primarily in the a.m., but my pain is generally after activities. Great Question!!
[QUOTE=Linncn]How do you tell the difference between RA stiffness and just the normal aging process. For instance, if I sit "indian style" on the floor, when I get up those first steps are hard on my ankles and knees. Is it RA, or is it just because I'm 45 and haven't exactly been gentle with my body all these years?[/QUOTE]
Phats~ it occured to me that just about everyone I know in my age group has something that's not what it used to be. Even though they don't have RA. Heck, some of them are a lot worse off than I am. It's easy to see RA when it's flaring, but otherwise it doesn't seem so clear cut.
Anyway, thanks to all for your input. I appreciate it I can't be the only one around here that can still sit indian style?
[QUOTE=Linncn]I can't be the only one around here that can still sit indian style?[/QUOTE]
I do all the time - even if I'm "sitting" in a regular chair sometimes. I'm kinda short, and many of the office chairs at work were too high for my feet to reach the ground. Rather than having my feet swaying in the wind, I would just sit cross-legged on the chair.
Maybe sitting Indian-style depends if you have problems with hips or knees. Mine is hips... I haven't been able to sit that way for years.
I miss it. It's a great position for playing with babies and puppies.
But hey, even though I can't sit on the floor anymore, I'm still looking forward to someday having a grandbaby or puppy!
CathyMarie
Puppies are great, but grandbabies are WAY better. :)I guess I have chalked it up to RA since I was pretty young when diagnosed. College students don't normally complain of aging pains. Now I am 32 and I think it is a combo of factors. Yes, RA, but also due to the fact that I am out of shape. Things have gotten much worse with the jaw issues since I haven't been able to go to the gym. Inflammation around the ears causes alot of dizziness and I have been told to stay away for a bit. This has made me realize that I did have some control regarding mobility. As soon as I get the all clear-back to the gym I will go. Even the lightest workout helps with the aches. I do have a wii fit and have been using that. Been difficult since the whole point of yoga involves balance and I don't have any at the moment!I can sit indian style, just takes me longer to get back up than it used to. RA or age, take your pick.I too sit Indian style even in a regular chair. I too have an easier time getting in the postion then out of it these days. Walking after being in it is a challenge too.
I need air rescue to get me up if I sit down on the ground! Seriously, I do not get down on the floor, it is very embarrassing trying to get up again, Janie.
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