working out with arthritis

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megkeage
megkeage Posts: 8 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hey there! I am not very active on MFP aside from logging but today I just need some advice and support from people who understand. I am 26 and I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. My arthritis has spread from my hands and shoulders to now my knees. I am about 2 steps from throwing in the towel and being depressed. I am young but feel so old. The only thing that keeps me sane is the gym. How can I go to the gym when I am soooo exhausted and in so much pain. I am so heart broken because with each new symptom or worsening of the symptoms it sinks it that this is for real and for life. Well all I really want to know is people like me how do you do it and what the heck can I do for cardio that won't hurt???? :(

Replies

  • melanie899
    melanie899 Posts: 33 Member
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    Hi. I can only speak for the RA, I've had that for about 15yrs now. I can sympathize with you totally and I'm sorry you have to deal with it. I know for me, the meds the Dr. prescribed helped a lot. I've been on Enbrel and it has worked great. I've also changed my diet a lot and I think that I have benefited from that as well.

    I used to use the recumbent bike for cardio since It was low impact on the knees. Swimming is also really good and is super easy on the joints. You can work out a sweat in a pool :)

    You can message me anytime or friend me and I can try to answer questions but just from my own experience.

    Hang in there!
  • pineapple_peach10
    pineapple_peach10 Posts: 239 Member
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    Hi,
    What about something low intensity like walking? Or maybe some yoga or stretching?

    Good luck! :)
  • btlinberg
    btlinberg Posts: 12 Member
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    I know how you feel. I've had autoimmune related inflammatory arthritis mainly in my knees but other joints too since I was 31. Even though the stiffness and swelling it really frustrating I find it helps to do at least some movement every day, even if just going for a short walk.

    I believe dietary changes helped me the most too... cutting out refined, processed foods, chemicals and sugar. Do you have access to a pool? I've found working with physical therapists doing aqua therapy and then doing the exercises on my own in a pool, even running under water really helped get some movement going. All the RA meds made me sicker so I eventually stopped them and focus now on eating as clean as possible and trying to get some movement each day.

    If you can, things like isometric exercise, using just your own bodyweight or even stretching/yoga where possible could be beneficial. A lot of days it is painful to do any exercise but I feel that getting your lymph moving and oxygen circulating through the body will help.
  • SeeAhtter787
    SeeAhtter787 Posts: 1,217 Member
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    Hi. I have had osteoarthritis for 35 years. I am in need of two new knees. And I am finally "old enough" to get them. But I need to drop a few pounds before I can get them. It is really tough most days to get out of bed let alone go get some exercise done. It is even worse during weather changes. If anyone wants to friend me I am here for you

    Esther
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
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    Aqua or pool exercise is great.

    Not sure if these arthritis exercise videos are any good

    http://www.collagevideo.com/search?q=arthritis
  • lacschulte
    lacschulte Posts: 1 Member
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    Hi Esther. I have autoimmune like symptoms and can understand constant pain. I also work for an orthopedics office and I see people get their knees replaced And recover every day. I'm excited for your journey and I need some accountability as well.
    SeeAhtter787 wrote: »
    Hi. I have had osteoarthritis for 35 years. I am in need of two new knees. And I am finally "old enough" to get them. But I need to drop a few pounds before I can get them. It is really tough most days to get out of bed let alone go get some exercise done. It is even worse during weather changes. If anyone wants to friend me I am here for you

    Esther

    Thanks. Lacey
  • SeeAhtter787
    SeeAhtter787 Posts: 1,217 Member
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    Lacey

    I have needed a new left knee for 15 years. Now that I am "over the hill" and past 40 I can get them. I go to Seattle on June 12 to see the doc again. If I have enough strength built up in my legs we get to schedule a double. Because my "good leg" is so bad doc doesn't think it will hold up to rehab of the new one. Since you work fir an orthopedic office you might appreciate this pic.........zg46c1xioctd.jpg

    Esther
  • ejuniper
    ejuniper Posts: 5 Member
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    Hey @megkeage, I'm an SLE sufferer too. I have no suggestions really, but just wanted to say hello and I know how your frustration feels! The only exercise I can really do is walking. Some days better than others. Some days I'm literally on the couch and moving to the kitchen is a struggle. I do strengthening exercises too when I can as I have lots of problems with my hips and lower back, so safe exercises set by my musculoskeletal specialist - like squats and strengthening exercises with a theraband. I make it sound like I do a lot-I don't-but I do what I can and I make sure I give myself a break too-lupus is a challenge.
    Walking is my new best friend though, prior to being diagnosed I could not walk more than a block and it was very slow, so now with the right mix of medication and slightly less pain I'm able to do so much more.
    I've rambled enough! Feel free to add me and I hope I helped!
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
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    I had spoke to a lady who has lupus and then saw her again a year later and she seemed to have much more energy. She said she was on a special diet and it really helped many of her symptoms. This may be something you may want to research.
  • rawdmd
    rawdmd Posts: 2 Member
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    Hello there! I am also a rheumatoid arthritis suffer. My heart breaks for you because I have a 26-year-old daughter and I can't imagine how she would deal with RA, yet, I know it is possible because I am doing it. Please be encouraged and be patient with yourself this is new terrain it is a new way of living. And yes it is for life or they say it is until cure is found. But for now, you need to find a way within your own mind and heart and resources to make this work for you. Understand that sleep and diet and movement and everything that you allowed to take hold in your thought life matters. I am here if you need to talk or need encouragement please don't give up.
    megkeage wrote: »
    Hey there! I am not very active on MFP aside from logging but today I just need some advice and support from people who understand. I am 26 and I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. My arthritis has spread from my hands and shoulders to now my knees. I am about 2 steps from throwing in the towel and being depressed. I am young but feel so old. The only thing that keeps me sane is the gym. How can I go to the gym when I am soooo exhausted and in so much pain. I am so heart broken because with each new symptom or worsening of the symptoms it sinks it that this is for real and for life. Well all I really want to know is people like me how do you do it and what the heck can I do for cardio that won't hurt???? :(

  • GoPerfectHealth
    GoPerfectHealth Posts: 254 Member
    edited April 2015
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    Hi,

    I have one knee replacement and another bad knee. I can walk about 6,000 steps and then my knee really starts to hurt. I also have arthritis in my hands, shoulders and hips, but it is not too bad in those joints -- yet.

    I just got a JumpSport trampoline (250 pro), and I do the health bounce which, for me, is easier on the knees than walking. Doing the health bounce you don't actually take your feet off the mat.

    Maybe this would not work for you. It depends on how much of your body is in pain at one time.

    What I like about the trampoline is that it is a low commitment activity. I can just get on it for five minutes at a time. And, of course, it wakes you up and helps to strengthen the core.

    I use arm movement to create the gentle bounce. I noticed yesterday that I felt no pain in either knees when I was doing it, and my heart rate was getting up there in the cardio zone. It does take an adjustment period as you learn to balance and your feet become acclimated.

    They sell trampolines with railings to hold on to.

    Of course, when your knees are so bad you can hardly walk, you probably can't do the health bounce either. But chair exercises will burn a few calories, and swimming can be an option.

    Any kind of movement will help.
  • opalsqueak007
    opalsqueak007 Posts: 433 Member
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    btlinberg wrote: »
    I know how you feel. I've had autoimmune related inflammatory arthritis mainly in my knees but other joints too since I was 31. Even though the stiffness and swelling it really frustrating I find it helps to do at least some movement every day, even if just going for a short walk.

    I believe dietary changes helped me the most too... cutting out refined, processed foods, chemicals and sugar. Do you have access to a pool? I've found working with physical therapists doing aqua therapy and then doing the exercises on my own in a pool, even running under water really helped get some movement going. All the RA meds made me sicker so I eventually stopped them and focus now on eating as clean as possible and trying to get some movement each day.

    If you can, things like isometric exercise, using just your own bodyweight or even stretching/yoga where possible could be beneficial. A lot of days it is painful to do any exercise but I feel that getting your lymph moving and oxygen circulating through the body will help.

    I would just like to agree with everything this poster has said. I have been through the same experience.
  • jordantheginger
    jordantheginger Posts: 3 Member
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    I, too, am searching for things that won't cause too much pain. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 18, I am now 28 and and at the highest weight I've ever been. It is so very hard to get out of this vicious cycle of pain because low-impact workouts are so good for us. I was very depressed when first diagnosed, the first couple of years were hell. Now that I am on some really good medication(Orencia infusions, among other things), I don't have as much pain and stiffness. It took awhile to get here though and now I'm battling with the fatigue which is both a side affect of RA and the Medications. I am looking forward to having kids soon, but I want to be fit and healthy and hopefully get off some of these meds. Just know that you're not alone and a lot of the advice from the others is true-you just have to find what works for you! Feel free to add me or message me if you want to talk further. :-)

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