Arthritis and Exercise

clairegreen1974 · August 2011

I just wanted to start a topic for those of us who suffer from any form of Arthritis (in its many gastly variants) and the exercises we do, the effects its having, tips on amounts of exercise, types of exercise - and what we do to deal with the pain that inevitably follows.

I myself have Osteoarthritis, Ive had it since i was 20, im 36 now... Mine, contrary to popular folk lore was not brought on by excessive weight and pie eating, as the experts would like to stereotype those of us afflicted by it. I used to be of normal weight, i used to go to the gym several times a week. Mine came about as a result of a gymnastics accident when i was 14 where multiple small fractures in my kneecaps went untreated and 'set' wrong. Pain flared up on and off for several years until i was diagnosed after keyhole arthroscopy surgery. several falls later (some alcohol induced some not!) and exercise wained, the wieght gained and here i am.

Ive now started doing 30 minutes on a cross trainer a few times a week, and long dog walks. I just cannot do the sheer amount and scale of exercise some members here are able to do and get 'ripped quick' yes it makes me feel s bit bad... so i'd like to hear from others in the same boat? maybe we could start a group if there are enough of us?

Edithrenee · August 2011

Hello yes i have osteoarthritis i also have osteopena. I was in military and sustained several stress fractures, I joined at age 38 I had the problems beofre i joined i just didnt know it. I was 103 pounds for the past 15 years so no it isnt about weigth on the body all the time. I have however, gained alot of weightt he past 5 years. I do have a hard tiem with plyo jumps and plyo jumping jacks. So I try not to do them, I like the step aerobics it is strengthening my knees back up.I dont know how long that is going to last but im hoping long enough for me to lose the weight. Also i have been walking long distences to help and have noticed if i walk it has helped the back pain at first i thought the pain would kill me but i kept going, and to my suprise my pain is minimal now.This past may i ran or i say wog a 5k in Florida with my sister. I finished and i was so happy, Im sad to say it has been in 100 degree weather here so the running has stopped and i can tell, my stiffness has been coming back but i still do step aerobics every day. Im hoping I can get the new dvd's Cathe Friedrich is putting out soon it is Low impact workout but high intensity and if anyone can bring that she can. I cant wait to try it. It will be a hard workout yet very gentel on my bones and joints.

rileamoyer · August 2011

I have both osteo and RA. Osteo in my knees (ski and car accident injuries), in my thumbs, shoulder and neck (age and lifestyle I guess). The exercise along with getting my weight in check has resulted in improvement all over. I have fewer RA flare ups and am basically in a maintenance stage and gradually decreasing the drugs, I hope to get remission. I do not do high impact or running because of my knees but do strength training focusing on supporting my knees, elliptical at high resistance and lots of walking. I do free weights but work at increasing them slowly to 'pamper' my shoulder. The change in the last year and 1/2 has been phenomenal. My biggest 'ah ha' moment was when I weighed my motorcycle pack at 59 lbls in June (that is what it weighed for a trip I took). At that time I had lost about 60 lbs. I realized then how much weight I had taken off my body (I could barely lift it and afix to my bike by myself). Take your time and take it easy, the results are worth it.

risefromruin · August 2011

Bump. I am being tested/xrayed for different types of arthritis this week and would love to come back to this thread to see what ya'll do to help.

JoBFit · August 2011

I have arthritis in my hips and knees related to my Crohn's disease. When the Crohn's flares up I get inflammation in those joints!! Luckily I am quite well at the moment. My specialist told me the best thing is to exercise and to keep the weight off! lol xx
I did try some anti inflammatory drugs but they made me feel lousy. It takes me ages to get moving in a morning- I feel like an old woman for at least half an hour after I get out of bed!
When I am bad I do swimming, dog walking and pilates/yoga.

baisleac · August 2011

I have osteoarthritis in hips & knees. Also not from being overweight; I was diagnosed when I was 21 and had 18% bodyfat.

I don't compare my exercise levels to anyone, except my husband because we're doing it together and it's impossible not to see how our strength is diverging. We started lifting the same weights, but he's increasing a bit faster than I am... that whole male testosterone thing.

Though I can still out shoulder press him. :bigsmile: ... for now.

Our current exercise "regime" is an Insanity / NROL(FW) hybrid so we do both intense cardio and lift weights. If I start feeling pain (vs. soreness), I just slow down a little and start watching my form more closely.

clairegreen1974 · August 2011

2 hours of dog walking and im in OMG pain!!!

Mind you, having a rottwieler yanked into your leg by your other half as he (the rottie) was after chasing sheep didnt help matters before the walk, i thought the exercise might help the pain but hell i can hardly bloody walk! :ohwell:

Artemis80 · August 2011

Hi all! I have RA and fibromyalgia. My rheumatologist insists that exercise be a regular part of my life, but sometimes it seems impossible. I can definitely relate to the flare-ups! My best option is usually the stationary bike with the seat that has the back support. I do the elliptical when I am feeling well (no arms though). My elbows and wrists are my most affected joints, so I am very limited in what I can do with my arms. Even in water exercise, I forgo the arms portion -- but I absolutely LOVE water aerobics!! As far as dog walking, I can't even take my Yorkie for a long walk because his pulling hurts my arms too much. However, I currently have him enrolled in a leash walking class so that he learns to walk with me

Edithrenee · August 2011

im kinda worried mine is getting worse my fear is im trying to lose the weight and it takes along time for me to lose even with alot of exercise. I do have pain, as far as knees and wrist. I have noticed at first i was not in as much pain but now i feel like i am in pain alot I guess this is the flare ups. So what and how do we lose weight ifi starts getting worse. Im doing alot of step aerocis now, and weight lifting and my wrist are killing me. However if i slow down my weight loss will slow to i think. Im just now starting to see the scales move down some. I feel like im in a pickle. So how are you guys losing i guess is my question if your exercise has to go down when your flare ups come?

Jenlwb · August 2011

I’m having that dilemma today! How to exercise during a flare up. I have OA in my hips, have had since my teens, it’s hereditary. I've never been overweight as such, and never been a runner. Females are often born with dislocated hips on Mum’s side of the family. True story! .

I don’t do well with high impact / step / running, that kind of thing, but spinning is fine??!? Brisk walking is ok within limits (about 4km), although strangely, ambling round a shopping mall slowly gets me.

I am in the midst of ‘Ripped in 30’ and managed fine until the end of week 3 when i really started to feel it in my hips, then it went to my knees! I think it’s the cardio sections. I used to do Body Pump, that was good.

Anyway the only advice I can offer anyone is definitely low impact, and try to avoid movements of the leg out to the side (in my case anyway). I’d be interested to hear how the Cathe Low Impact prog is. I’d like to incorporate more weights to my home exercises if anyone has any ideas. Kinda hard to get to a gym here, but i have some weights (up to 3kg- “Barbie weights” as per NROLFW!!), a spinning bike and a DVD player!

Arthritis and Exercise

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