Hello and happy new year!
I am back from lurking to ask another question from those people who have lived the answers!!!!
I have been reading how good exercise is for RA, and before being diagnosed was working out at curves 3x a week. Right after being diagnosed I had a major flare, started the mtx and stressed out so I generally felt like something you scrape off of the bottom of your shoe. So, getting to the point, if I go to curves, will I be making a bad thing worse? where is the line between exercise good vs. exercise bad?
Also, if I am not getting relief from 15mg mtx, should I push hard to get the ball rolling for humera/remicade/enbrel, or try the higher mtx dose first? Anybody but me contemplated just upping the dose without the DR, simply because you hurt and are sick of waiting?
thanks again for your advice and insights!
Laura T
I took MTX for several years by itself before adding Humira. It does take a little while to work....but if you aren't feeling any better and it's been several months I'd definately ask for a change. Maybe just an increase would be helpful.
As much as I like Humira I wish I didn't have to take it. I absolutely hate the injections and the fears that come with them. I'd put that off as long as possible if I were you. Eventually they'll come a time when you probable won't have a choice.....but trust me; your doctor will let you know when. They'll only raise your MTX so much before they insist you make a change.
I exercise when I feel like it and I don't when I don't. Some days are better than other's even on MTX & Humira. Life with RA isn't perfect. Once you accept that fact the easier time you'll have with things. You'll come to learn that even on the best medications this is a disease that's unpredictable and not always easily managed. Just because one day is bad doesn't always mean tomorrow will be as well. It's certainly a life of ups and downs.
Good Luck to you!
I was walking 2 mi a day prior to RA but my knees and ankles cannot exercise at this time. I am in a constant flare but I do walk and move as much as possible at home. I also have no relief from MTX 20mg and doc says I can start Enbrel this month, appt. on the 24th.
I personally don't think that just 5 more mg of MTX makes that much difference, at least it didn't in my case. Maybe you could see your doc and ask to add the next level of meds. How long have you been on MTX? I am in my 4th month with no relief and my insurance required that I try MTX for 3 months first so I had to wait anyway.
I think an exercise program is good after we get the flares under some control which it seems can take a very long time.
Exercise can be really good. If you liked the Curves program before, here's what you might do. Go in and talk to whoever teaches people how to exercise and ask them what you can do to modify your routine. Basically, when your muscles and joints have been weakened by RA/FM/OA, you have to start in baby steps. And, I do mean baby steps. The person next to you can be doing 20 reps with 10 lb weights and you can only do 5 reps with 2 lb weights. That's okay and it's wise. You have rebuild your muscles.
If you feel that you really need help, then don't hesitate to ask for PT. Then you can switch back to Curves or whatever else you want.
However, it is very IMPORTANT that you ask your doctor before starting any exercise program. When I used a fitness center to help me, they exchanged faxes between themselves and the doctor to make sure I was only doing things that was safe. That was with 24-hour Fitness. I was tremendously pleased with the results.
It takes such a short time to regress. Because of all my pain I had to quit going in the pool every couple of days. Now, doing Pool Therapy, I can barely do the simplest things. It is quite discouraging to start at the bottom again. But that's what I have to do. At least, I can do something about it.