Excersizing with joint pain

Hello all, i recently was on a medication for 5 months that had an unfortunate side effect: joint pain. Prior to starting this medication I went to the gym 5 days a week for boxing/Pilates/hiit. And I pretty much ate whatever I wanted because of how much I was working out.

Now because of the joint pain I’ve been experiencing I’ve stopped working out. I changed my diet to try and maintain my weight a bit but I’ve still gained almost 10 pounds.

I’ve tried several times to workout again but can only manage 15-20 minutes until I can barely move because of the pain.

I’m miserable with how my body looks and was wondering if anyone had any advice/workouts that could help me.

Thanks

Replies

PAFC84

Swimming is meant to be rather good on the joints. Yoga might be quite good too

canadianlbs

which med is this? and what is the actual side-effect that results in you feeling pain? is it causing inflammation, doing something to your cartilage/joint capsule tissue, or . . . ?

it's not like i know the answers. but i'm curious, being a person who has r.a. i'm more familiar with meds that try to control inflammation, not ones that cause it.

about your workouts, i have to ask whether you're trying to return to the same level and types of activity that you had before. if the answer to that is yes, then stop

the circumstances are different and it would be more suitable for you to search out things that are more appropriate to the current state of your joints - not stuff that was applicable before they began hurting you.

EDIT: i'm asking about more detailed info on the causes behind what you feel, because your best course of action may be dependent on what's going on. for instance, if your joints hurt because they're swollen, then your non-elastic connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, capsule tissue) is probably already taxed and it might be best to avoid things that stretch it even more.

maryannprt

What does your doctor say? Is there another medication you can try that doesn't have such a horrible side effect? Does your gym have a pool? Working out in water can be great for joint pain. It's more work than many people realize, so start slowly.

Jthanmyfitnesspal

Sounds hard. Most docs understand that exercise is important and will help you with it. Don't give up!

lorrpb

If you gained 10 lbs in 5 months thats a gain of 2 lbs per month or 200 calls per day. You're eating above maintenance but can easily get back on track by eliminating a snack or slightly reducing portion sizes.

rheddmobile

Stationary bike is low impact. I do it when my knees are bothering me. You can also do HIIT on a bike.

If fifteen minutes is your sweet spot, then why not do just 15 minutes for now? Or if it's too long, do ten. It may not be worth it to visit the gym for ten minutes, but there are things you could do at home. Another alternative would be less vigorous activity such as walking, for longer.