no theories, your experience please | Arthritis Information

 

I know everyone can accept that exercise is good for RA-affected joints.  Yes, yes, it's bound to be true.  In my case I've always been active and though slowed by RA, I still walk or ride stationary bike for half hour every day.  My hips, which were where the pain first appeared, are in better shape.  Walking is something I don't mind doing, doesn't hurt much after all this time, and I read so I'm not bored.

I wish I could tell you. I have a hard enough time just motivating myself to exercise...Good for you for keeping up with it each day. It is true, it's hard for doctors to tell you to do something when they have never gone through RA themselves. I hope you find some answers BEFORE putting yourself through anymore pain than you already are going through! My condition improved leaps and bounds when I stopped going to Curves.  I still walk every day -- thankfully my knees are fine, but my shoulders, elbows, wrists and every other part of me has gone from lots of pain to very little pain since I stopped hard exercise.

Bluehour,

I am all for and encourage people to exercise and keep moving.....BUT.....
If you are in flair...it is no time to start an exercise program. There is NO WAY I could or would want to strain inflamed joints. You probably should be protecting them...that is what I do...when they are inflamed the least little bump is painful...brings stinging tears to my eyes at times.

The hands and smaller joints affected by RA (like feet) hurt me worse than the large joints...

My experience is I DO NOT exercise painful, swollen joints....I do not think you should....
After the flair you can do strengthening exercises......Try to move your fingers and shoulders so they do not freeze more of a "range of Motion exercise"...I keep it passive....

Hope you feel better soon.

Bluehour [QUOTE=Nancy R.]My condition improved leaps and bounds when I stopped going to Curves.  I still walk every day -- thankfully my knees are fine, but my shoulders, elbows, wrists and every other part of me has gone from lots of pain to very little pain since I stopped hard exercise.[/QUOTE] Nancy- If it hurts 2-hrs after you exercise, don't do it! Why not try an arthritis water class to get those cranky joints moving?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ygZ7z6-tLI These ROM exercises seem like they would be very gentle and not cause much discomfort. I guess you could use a bigger dowel if your hands were hurting? It was the first one that came up; I'm sure there are some additional videos available from PTs out there. I do the walking and the stationary bike, too, but my upper body was neglected.........until I got a pair of 3# dumbells and put them by the couch where I watch tv.  Instead of exercising the upper body for half an hour straight, every time a commercial comes on I pick up the weights. When the tv program resumes, the weights go down on the floor until the next commercial. I do this over a 1-2 hour period through all the commercials, so my body gets a chance to relax in between. Granted, it's not the best exercise but  I figure it's better than nothing. It's like brushing your teeth - you just have to get into the habit.and if you can't handle weights try resistance bandsI used to be a runner and quite athletic. I didn't feel good if I hadn't broken a sweat!
Now I do not exercise regularly...sigh. Maybe I don't know how to do it with moderation, but everytime I exercise I end up paying for it later. I hope I can figure out this RA/ exercise balancing act. I am sorry that you are in pain.  I know, for myself, that I absolutely feel better in the long run when I exercise.  I have posted before about using the treadmill & recumbent bike for the lower body.  I simply stretch and do passive ROM to my hands, arms and shoulders.  About 2 yrs ago, I fell and tore a ligament in my wrist.  After 3 months in a splint, I went to PT and they gave me a whole series of stretching and ROM exercises.  I do them now while walking on the treadmill.  I also have a handheld thingee that is spring loaded to squeeze to strengthen the muscles in my fingers & hands.  I don't do any work with weights - just the stretching & passive ROM.  It hurts while I am doing it, but an hour or so later - I feel pretty good and I think that my hands are more flexible and stronger as a result. 

Mary-Pat
Thank you to everyone who has responded. I've gotten this from the discussion - I need to do something gentle that doesn't hurt much, and wait to see if this is a flare and gets worse, or slowly improves. I don't know much about flares, I've only been dealing with this for a year and don't know the difference between progressing and flaring. This shoulder has gone from the occasional twinge to constant pain. I can face it much more easily if I stretch and work on ROM while sitting on the couch at night, rather than what I was thinking I had to do (and dreading), add another half hour lifting weights to my morning walk/bike ride routine.
The consensus seems to be, if it hurts, don't do it. My inclination is to do a set goal of reps and exercise vigorously. Apparently I'm still in denial about my physical condition! Thanks again.I highly recommend seeking out a good physical therapist.  I had a chronic issue of biceps tendonitis compounded by pain in the shoulder joints.  He took into account the limitations in my hands and wrists, and set me up with a home program of upper body exercises using tubing with little handles, and stretches.  It's made a world of difference.  constant pain esp in the shoulder should be looked at....the shoulder is especially susceptable to soft tissue problems and I know from experience how extremely painful that can be.  The shoulder can respond very well to a cortisone injection and some PTI haven't read all the responses since I'm on my lunch hour.. so, if I repeat, please forgive. The most beneficial exercise regime for anyone comes from slow & controlled exercising, particularly important for anyone with a physical problem or arthritic problems .. & I would be careful of weight training. Maz-aust2009-12-01 16:30:49strength/weight training should be done carefully be should not be avoided.   Maintaining muscles strength is essential in helping to prevent RA deformaties and avoiding osteoporsis.  Hi Bluehour, as I am suffering from very badly controlled RA and spinal pain, I seem to be in constant flares 24/7 I can only do tai chi for arthritis, and swimming (well, joint range of motion exercises in the pool, on very bad days and doggy paddle or breast stroke on good days), these two seem to help definitely although some days the tai chi is even too much, but take it from an ex athlete, I have to do something and I have tried all sorts, these two are the most gentle I can find that don't cause too much after pain. Best of luck, Janie.The voice of experience means so much.  I thank you all.  Gentle stretching while I am relaxing at night is what I'm going to try first.  Then perhaps some lighter weights (I only have five pound) to start with.  Why didn't one of my kids become a physical therapist?  I want one of my own at my beck and call after reading these posts. [QUOTE=buckeye]strength/weight training should be done carefully be should not be avoided.   Maintaining muscles strength is essential in helping to prevent RA deformaties and avoiding osteoporsis.  [/QUOTE] Bluehour...a dressing stick is an inexpensive tool to help with dressing or undressing as long as your shoulders are acting up you might look into getting one[QUOTE=buckeye]Bluehour...a dressing stick is an inexpensive tool to help with dressing or undressing as long as your shoulders are acting up you might look into getting one[/QUOTE]

Shoulders are the worse pain.
I had an operation for a partial tear about 3 years ago. It took about 6 mos to get over, then I was involved in a bad car wreck as a passenger and with two impacts...the first from the side and the second head on...I grabbed the dashboard on the second impat and tore my rotator cuff completely. They had to reattach it with pins...It was the worst pain to recuperate from EVER...it still is not right. Hurts everyday. And can not sleep on that side. Been 2 years since accident and surgery.

I use a pulley over a door and I now use the bands in my walking video...really helps to keep it from "freezing" up.

I never had a dressing stick, but it would of been handy I suppose. Good Idea.

Hi Bluehour,

The best exercise for RA is any exercise that use the slow movement and you have to use your mind noticed the body and your joint how to move ... and control it.
You have to feel it ...

There is some techniques in this Free eBook go to download it and you might find it is helpful...it is FREE and hang in their list this people will update a good info to you regularly helping people who are in pain... they have done some interview people who use to have RA and now living free of pain ...

"Whispering The Truth From Rheumatoid Arthritis Survivors"

Copyright by 2009 http://www.rheumatoid-arthritis-joint-pain-advice.com.

Bluelight, Aticha, why don't you just post the 7 facts instead of having to download.  If you really wanted everyone to know you'd post it.

As you say, gentle exercise is the way to start - good move !!

[QUOTE=LinB]Aticha, why don't you just post the 7 facts instead of having to download.  If you really wanted everyone to know you'd post it.[/QUOTE]