Comments on: Should Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Exercise?

By: Cheryl Bailey

Cheryl Bailey — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:35:48 +0000

Just want to say I enjoyed all the posts in this thread. I agree wholeheartedly!! And can say “Ditto” for me! I have had RA for 12 years now or at least diagnosed 12 years sgo…I am sure we all had it for some time before we actually were diagnosed! I have a wonderful Rheumatologist! He is very understanding and has always told me exercise is good but if it hurts, stop. Do what you are able to do…he does not however promote the use of weights of any kind! He also has encourages (or puts up with) my being in control of my disease and my treatment…we work together on what meds to be on and when, what avenues to take or try…he is very understanding and on the cutting edge of research! If I feel I do not want to be on something I tell him and he listens to my reasons and then he tells me his reasons and we either meet in the middle or I do what I FEEL is best for me! I too was very thin, in shape and active prior to RA…I am still pretty active considering but those that did not know me prior to the last 5-6 years say…you look great! You don’t look sick at all (until they see my right wrist/hand which is pretty deformed at this point) but those that knew me prior know the change that has taken place. I do not exercise regularly, I want to and I should! I feel good when I do. But everyone is correct in that you should when you can and not if you don’t feel good…no pressure. Do what makes you feel good! I just think for myself that I sometimes use my RA as a cop out on the exercise. I hurt daily, but I have enough drive and pain tolerance that I can do other things when I really want or need to so if I am having a good day I NEED to not cop out and take a short walk, take a swim, get on my recumbant bike whatever…within reason…that’s me…not you! I do have a tendancy to over do it though and do pay sometimes with a flare…however sometimes I don’t do anything and pay with a flare…so this brings me to the opinion I am going to do what makes me feel good, period! I would say I have moderate to severe RA, always pain worse flares at times…but I think everyone just needs to find a way to deal with the RA and function to be happy! It is about quality of life and so we need to change the things we do, we are a little heavier, we have pain…ok we are all in that boat! Everyone has to have something I guess, I feel actually fortunate I have RA and not some other horrible disease as some people I know do. It is bad, but it could be MUCH worse! I am thankful for each day I can participate in the lives of my friends and family and enjoy what I do for a living (real estate broker)! I still do the art and the crafts I love, I just have had to make adjustments to what I do, do…Just because Life changes, does not mean we can’t enjoy it! I hope everyone finds a way to cope, enjoy and do a little something of anyting you would like to do even in a reduced amount!! Good day and God Bless!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:29:51 +0000

Thanks for sharing. We do have several regular readers in Ireland. I don’t know if IA has read this site, but I’ve connected with them through Twitter. I don’t know if it’s focused on arthritis or if RA is a big concern for them. I’d hope that if they want to be part of representing RA in that country then they would listen to the needs of patients. We have formed the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation here so we could have an organization which speaks for us and gets the message right. http://rheum4us.org

By: Gia Kirwan

Gia Kirwan — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:24:12 +0000

I totally agree whole heartedly with every thing you have said. The Arthritis society in my country is called Arthritis Ireland, and mostly what they seem to do is organise walks and runs for arthritis sufferers, I can’t believe it.

Exercise is all very well, but what if you have two eaten ankles? It is offensive. I love exercise and miss my old life, like you, we have active RA for about the same length of time.

Anyway, just wanted to say that, wish I could share this with IA.

By: Tasha

Tasha — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:16:43 +0000

I am so glad you said that about souring from a fun, playful parent into a short tempered, seemingly lazy one. I am a mom again. Had the little one when my oldest was 16. I was planning to do so much more with this one since I wasn’t still in school and working and having twelve other things to do. Now most nights I get home from work and I’m exhausted. I shuffle past the crafts and paints I bought for us to do together and pray for bedtime so I can lay down. This is not the mom I planned to be and I am SO frustrated! It makes me cry at night as I am a single mom and she doesn’t have a “normal” other parent to pick up the slack. I try to involve her in the things I can do, but I wish I could play baseball outside with her and soccer etc. She is two and a half now, so she would just be thrilled if I could chase her around for an hour. I find myself shoving gobs of prednisone into my mouth on the weekends even though I’m supposed to have stopped taking it, just so we can have some special mommy time. This is kind of a nightmare. My rheumy asked if I wanted more kids, b/c that would make a difference on what medication we tried. I told her not unless you can make me jump on the ground and roll in the dirt again….. I hate having to negotiate with myself on whether it is important enough for me to get down on the floor and play dolls with her…

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:09:33 +0000

Exercise was always a big part of my life too until the day RA went full blown so I know how wonderful it must make you feel.

Yes I agree, “finding a balance that works for you” is the answer and individual differences and disease pattern is the key. Maybe you are more aware of this because of your career. This is where many seem to miss it. Disease pattern is the reason that many can no longer chop onions or hike or bike – no matter how much they want to – and yet others can tolerate traditional exercise and enjoy the tradtional benefits of it. For some reason, many tend to assume that their particular disease pattern applies to others. If they only have certain joints affected, they assume others can’t have every joint affected or if they have flares with breaks in between, they assume everyone has flares…

By: Sheryl Appleby

Sheryl Appleby — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:52:57 +0000

The exercise debate is definitely an interesting one. Joint protection is very important, as is resting during a major flare.
I am a retired physical therapist and have treated folks with RA over the years. Yes, I encouraged gentle range of motion exercises and mild endurance exercises as well as teaching joint protection and the use of heat, ice, massage, and rest.
I always suspected that I might have RA and finally, in 2004, was officially diagnosed. I have taken Methotrexate and anti inflammatory drugs in various doses over the years. Something always hurts no matter what I take, unless it is steroids which provide a breath of fresh air but not without a price (side affects that is).
In 2008, I was shocked with the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma and am stage IV NED.
For me, personally, exercise has always been a part of my life. With the above diagnoses, about the only thing that keeps my emotional roller coaster from going out of control is to keep up an exercise regime. It makes me feel like I’m OK…if I can do this, I’m OK. My main form of exercise is hiking or spinning class. There are nights that I hurt terribly, but that can also happen after I chop onions for dinner! I usually feel better in the morning. Some days I feel better after my walks. Some days I sit in the rocker and stare into space. I do listen to my body and plan my activities accordingly.
My only reason to comment on the subject is to support the idea that reasonable exercise can work for some people as stated before. For me it provides a huge boost to my mental health. But if it doesn’t work for you, then acknowledging this is not to say you are lazy, whimpy, etc! It is all about finding a balance that works for you.
RA is a tough disease. Very few people understand what RA involves. Thanks, Kelly, for giving RA a voice and for all you have done for us! YOUR SCHEDULE makes MY JOINTS HURT!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:14:10 +0000

As newly diagnosed with RA, I was wondering about exercise. Reading comments here I am learning that it is a very personal choice and something to be taken day by day (as with RA itself). Has anyone done Tai Chi or relaxation yoga? I guess it will be up to me to see if I can do it or not.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:25:47 +0000

Hi Debby,

What an insightful comment. I hope that you can continue your work and personal exercise for a long time!
There is a 4th post planned on this topic that I hope you find intersting. I get mail from folks who were used to doing heavy lifting who can’t hold a coffee cup or milk bottle – and others who can still run or bike at least sometimes. My impression is that the people I’ve heard from are very resiliant and tough, doing the most they can each day. The disease attacks the tendons quite suddenly in some people which I’m starting to believe may be the cause of some sudden disability in folks who’d obviously prefer to be able to move. It’s a tough disease for everyone, but affects folks differently.

By: Debby Mooney

Debby Mooney — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:06:54 +0000

This is a very intense conversation. Very interesting as well. I am a pediatric physical therapist. My specialty area is cerebral palsy, so I have do not have experience working with patients with RA. Actually, I’m surprised I’ve never had a kiddo with JRA. Regardless, exercise has always been a big part of my life (I taught aerobics while I was going to PT school). It’s hard to think I may not be able to exercise int he future. I understand joint protection, and feel that my joints will tell me what I can and cannot do. I always have some soreness somewhere, so it is impossible for me not to work my joints when I am sore. Even my work is very physically challenging (obviously). I think the theme here is, if you feel good enough to exercise, by all means do it, but if you’re in pain (major red flag), then rest. Sometimes, we all need a little “push” to get going, but there’s a difference between pushing yourself through some fatigue and stiffness, and exercising when you can barely move. My goal, is to learn as much about Ra and exercise as I can. I’m hoping to stay active (like we all do).

By: Anita

Anita — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:46:50 +0000

A great article…I completely agree with it!!
I am new to your site, but I will be signing up for it.
Thanks so much for you efforts,
Anita