Excruciating pain and how do you exercise?

KYGATOR8U2
KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
in Introduce Yourself
I have psoriatic arthritis and I am still young (mid 40's) It hurts to move and some days I cannot walk or get out of bed.

Where the heck do I start????

How do I know if its making it worse or better??

I am totally sedentary and have a hard time just washing dishes.

Frustrating vicious circle.

Replies

  • awesomejdad
    awesomejdad Posts: 493 Member
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

    Watch this video
  • stephe1987
    stephe1987 Posts: 406 Member
    The most important thing is to talk with your doctor about this. He/she will have some good suggestions to help you reach your goals.

    If it were me, I would do some light-impact exercises (walking, swimming) whenever I'm not in too much pain. On the pain days it would probably be good to rest and take some pain medication and something to reduce swelling in the joints.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    That's pretty bad. I'd do whatever I can. On days you can get out of bed, stick to walking, tai chi or swimming as they're low impact exercise.

    Some of my tai chi students suffer from arthritis so I advise them to try to do it but avoid anything that causes them pain.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I don't have what you have but I'm battling my own pains. What really helps to get started is a really well executed warm-up. just slowly flex your joints in dynamic small fluid motions that increase in range as time goes on. At first that was all I did, no other exercise, then I started taking about 20 minutes to warm up before I start my main exercise. I had an accident a few years back which has left me with scar tissue cutting into my spine and a bad knee.

    I started out doing these long warm-ups and then short sessions on the elliptical. As my muscles got stronger and more adapted I moved on to walking, then to incline walking plus certain resistance training moves that are safe to perform. My knee is finally cleared for jogging. I'm currently doing couch to 5k and loving it! I do need a back belt to stabilize the spine when I do it and I have to be 100% focused and aware of my motions, how I land, how to move my foot to push, and how to avoid a wobbly foot or even the slightest deviation in pelvic movement, but I'm looking forward to the day I will finally be able to run as a second nature.

    I may never be able to lift or do crunches, but I know I can be in good shape despite my pain. Have you considered swimming?
  • silentKayak
    silentKayak Posts: 658 Member
    I know someone with the same condition. Stretching/yoga might work well. There are also a few miracle medications, including Humira and Enbrel, which have been life-changing for him. Depends on your insurance, as they're quite expensive.
  • nusiax
    nusiax Posts: 39 Member
    I have rheumatoid arthritis. And I understand a little where you are coming from. I found swimming. I go aqua jogging daily for just movement. It has help my pain a great deal. A year ago, I could not walk to the corner. But last weekend when shopping with friends and we ran around town. I was slow. But I suddenly said I am very tired. I had been going for six hours. That is after 3 months for me.

    My pool offers several classes. We have a Therapeutic Pool which has warmer water, it is 30 C. And they offer several classes, Rheuma Fit, 50 Plus, and Medical Advise. I went to a few of these classes. But I started Aqua Jogging in the big lap pool. I started our with 15 minutes and have worked up to 1 hour a day. and two times a week I try to push my self. Only been going for almost 3 months now.

    But I had a long conversation with my Doctor. He pushed me. And he keeps pushing me. And my friends are excited, they say I look better, and I know I feel better.

    I wish you all the success in what you choose.
    And happy to discuss Arthritis with you anything, just message me.
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    @DarrenSurrey

    I would LOVE to look into Tai Chi. Do you have any suggestions on any educational videos or books for beginners?

    I know I could google it myself but I would rather have advice someone who KNOWS their stuff :flowerforyou:
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    @amusedmonkey
    AMUSEDMONKEY: I don't have what you have but I'm battling my own pains. What really helps to get started is a really well executed warm-up. just slowly flex your joints in dynamic small fluid motions that increase in range as time goes on. At first that was all I did, no other exercise, then I started taking about 20 minutes to warm up before I start my main exercise. I had an accident a few years back which has left me with scar tissue cutting into my spine and a bad knee.

    I started out doing these long warm-ups and then short sessions on the elliptical. As my muscles got stronger and more adapted I moved on to walking, then to incline walking plus certain resistance training moves that are safe to perform. My knee is finally cleared for jogging. I'm currently doing couch to 5k and loving it! I do need a back belt to stabilize the spine when I do it and I have to be 100% focused and aware of my motions, how I land, how to move my foot to push, and how to avoid a wobbly foot or even the slightest deviation in pelvic movement, but I'm looking forward to the day I will finally be able to run as a second nature.

    I may never be able to lift or do crunches, but I know I can be in good shape despite my pain. Have you considered swimming?


    I love to swim but have been unable to.

    I use to be a dancer and I do a lot of stretching NOW (since the last time I posted)... and it is definitely helping.

    AND WAY TO GO SIS!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!

    I have a recurring dream of running. I use to bike quite a bit when I was younger and would love to work back up to biking. I have to be extra careful because I am on a high dose of Blood Thinner due to recurring blood clots (on top of the psoriatic arthritis)... so my left leg swells and I have to be careful.

    I am the type of person who has a hard time 'pacing' myself. It is full speed ahead or NOTHING... I am currently working on changing this old habit. I have always been a Pit bull when in comes to attacking situations but my brain has not accepted the fact that I just cannot be that way anymore.

    Peace & Blessings,

    Kygator
  • missh1967
    missh1967 Posts: 661 Member
    @DarrenSurrey

    I would LOVE to look into Tai Chi. Do you have any suggestions on any educational videos or books for beginners?

    I know I could google it myself but I would rather have advice someone who KNOWS their stuff :flowerforyou:

    Check out Youtube first. You can often find some free workouts that've been uploaded.

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tai+Chi
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    I know someone with the same condition. Stretching/yoga might work well. There are also a few miracle medications, including Humira and Enbrel, which have been life-changing for him. Depends on your insurance, as they're quite expensive.

    I have been on Enbrel, Humira, back to Enbrel and they all stopped working for me. So currently I am having to take infusions of Remicade at the hospital every 5 weeks ($15,000/per infusion) :mad: BUT without them, I cannot walk, clothe or even feed myself so I thank God for our Insurance!

    Do you or your friend have any recommendations on perhaps a beginning yoga video or book that has worked for your friend? Or does your friend go to a facility to do their yoga?

    Peace & Blessings,

    Kygator
  • valley2mtn
    valley2mtn Posts: 16 Member
    My mother has nerve damage in her legs that causes her a lot of pain every single day. She's been almost reduced to sitting in a chair most of the time. I recently found that there are videos for exercises on Youtube that you do from a chair and even chair yoga. It is a less painful way for her to get light exercise in. You may be able to do something like that.
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    the best results i've gotten are from just walking. has your doctor referred you to a physical therapist or someone experienced to help you sort out ways to minimize your pain for workouts?

    best of luck in dealing with your issue!
  • Cobourg
    Cobourg Posts: 54 Member
    Start slow but keep moving. I have a bad knee, rotator cuff has been torn multiple times. I have a trainer who with my doctors input put together a plan of action. Was really sore for days but kept going just cut back on certain things until pain subsided a bit. Lots of ice on sore areas and make sure you warm up and stretch.
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    DARRENSURREY: Check out Youtube first. You can often find some free workouts that've been uploaded.

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tai+Chi


    THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH :heart:
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    My mother has nerve damage in her legs that causes her a lot of pain every single day. She's been almost reduced to sitting in a chair most of the time. I recently found that there are videos for exercises on Youtube that you do from a chair and even chair yoga. It is a less painful way for her to get light exercise in. You may be able to do something like that.

    THANK YOU! I am taking notes on all this wonderful advice..

    Peace & Blessings,

    KG
  • woofer00
    woofer00 Posts: 123 Member
    If it's truly painful (in a bad way) you might want to set up one session - just one - with an orthopedist, physical therapist, or trainer to make sure you don't have any underlying issues and to confirm that your movement form is appropriate.
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    I have rheumatoid arthritis. And I understand a little where you are coming from. I found swimming. I go aqua jogging daily for just movement. It has help my pain a great deal. A year ago, I could not walk to the corner. But last weekend when shopping with friends and we ran around town. I was slow. But I suddenly said I am very tired. I had been going for six hours. That is after 3 months for me.

    My pool offers several classes. We have a Therapeutic Pool which has warmer water, it is 30 C. And they offer several classes, Rheuma Fit, 50 Plus, and Medical Advise. I went to a few of these classes. But I started Aqua Jogging in the big lap pool. I started our with 15 minutes and have worked up to 1 hour a day. and two times a week I try to push my self. Only been going for almost 3 months now.

    But I had a long conversation with my Doctor. He pushed me. And he keeps pushing me. And my friends are excited, they say I look better, and I know I feel better.

    I wish you all the success in what you choose.
    And happy to discuss Arthritis with you anything, just message me.

    Thank you so much for replying. Psoriatic Arthritis is pretty much RA except instead of the RH (?) factor in the blood, it stems from having psoriasis for years and is more asymmetrical than RA is.

    I live in a very small town and I will look into this and see if there is a place near me that offers this. Is this therapeutic pool therapy offered at physical therapy location or did you have to join a gym?

    I love the water!

    I wonder if insurance and medicare would cover this. Do you have insurance that covers this expense for you?

    Peace & Blessings,

    KYG
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    If it's truly painful (in a bad way) you might want to set up one session - just one - with an orthopedist, physical therapist, or trainer to make sure you don't have any underlying issues and to confirm that your movement form is appropriate.

    Thank you for the reply. I will see my Rheumatologist later this month and will ask for a referral and start from there..

    Peace & Blessings,

    KYG
  • KYGATOR8U2
    KYGATOR8U2 Posts: 11
    ON A GOOD NOTE!!! I have lost 17 Pounds!! :happy:
  • frenchbrunette74
    frenchbrunette74 Posts: 5
    I feel some of your pain and I fear I will feel all of it soon! I had a bad car wreck 12 years ago that hurt my back really bad and that makes it hard to exercise but, I have learned to live daily life fairly pain free. I have Psoriasis very bad and my doctor said with the Psoriasis and the damage to my back, I am at igh risk for Psoriatic Arthritis. I pray I don't get it but, I might. I pray at least I am in shape before hand.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    My mother has nerve damage in her legs that causes her a lot of pain every single day. She's been almost reduced to sitting in a chair most of the time. I recently found that there are videos for exercises on Youtube that you do from a chair and even chair yoga. It is a less painful way for her to get light exercise in. You may be able to do something like that.

    THANK YOU! I am taking notes on all this wonderful advice..

    Peace & Blessings,

    KG

    ^This

    Lots of chair - or seated exercise videos. YouTube & DVDs too.

    DVD brands to look for:

    Sit to Be Fit
    Chair Dancing
    In Home Fitness

    Video clips and information here: http://www.collagevideo.com/search?q=seated

    http://www.collagevideo.com/search?q=chair

    http://www.collagevideo.com/collections/workouts-for-seniors

    https://www.totalfitnessdvds.com/category-s/445.htm

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