Re: Granny Lee & Bonnie & a new question

[Guest guest]

Lucy:

I was thinking about the difference between a muscle pain and RA pain. To me, RA pain is very deep and achy. I know when I'm having an RA attack. On the other hand, muscle pain (I don't know about tendonitis), is a very different kind of pain - more surfacy, in some ways, more immediately painful. To me, the RA is an incredibly deep kind of ache, with sensations that go up my bones and travel more easily throughout my body.

As far as exercise, I do Pilates. I know people who find yoga to be helpful. Things that aren't jarring to the body. Swimming, of course, although I hate putting my face in water. For aerobic exercise I can only do is the recumbent bike. I also do weights when my joints are not affected.

good luck to you.

gloria

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: & Lucy

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 6:35 PM

Subject: Lucy/exercise/Granny Lee & Bonnie & a new question

Granny Lee

Well at least your typing fingers still work (and boy do they - LOL)!

oh yes! LOL ....and they hit every other key and i have to go back and have to try to fill in the ones i missed! heheheh!!!

I have a new question - it is about exercise. I agree that it is important to keep moving, but how do I know what is good and bad as far as types of exercise, when to exercise, exercise with pain, working through pain, and the like. Currently I am walking 3 miles, 3 times a day on a treadmill. I used to do much more (a vigorous aerobics class) but I think it was too hard on my joints, especially when they made us hold light weights as we aerobicised. I would like to use the machines/free weights more (after this tendonitis heals up) but I don't know if that would be beneficial or harmful to the RA.

I'd be glad to read anything anyone has to offer.

Lucy

the year before i had the "big flare" i had been going to the gym 2 hours, 3 times a week and using all the equipment as well as around the track for 3 miles. and on the off days, the equivalent of 3 miles around the circular driveway in my back yard; then i decided to add 2 lb dumbbells. my wrists got worse and worse until after about a month i decided i wasn't going to "work the soreness out" that i really was "working them " too much.

It is hard to find a happy medium. Recently, wen i got over my last flare, i have taken to working out an hour in the a.m. before i do my house hold chores and, being pretty slow, takes me till round 1:p.m. before i get to rest.. or want to rest as i keep geting these little projects i "need to do." in Spring and rest of year i spend the rest of the day in the garden.. or all day!

i am a crazy parody of what the girl on TV is trying to get me to do, but it keeps me moving, even if out of sinque!. however, there are times when the next day, after trying to push my self too hard, i have to either shorten the period, stick to the easier stretches and the breathing exercises or even cut it down to a few very gentle tai chi and breathing. . even the stretches can iritate the muscles and i get to where i can hardly move so i know i have to rest.

in my humble opinion, i think that for the arthritic the "no pain, no gain" is a bunch of macho crap. my body is trying to tell me something and when i don't listen i am swollen and painful for weeks trying to get over it.

we have to move as much as we can, but have sense enough to know when enough is enough and face the fact of some restrictions.

i am going on and on and i do wish that someone who is in this same situation and is able to do the running and weight lifting and the high impact aerobics and Warrior Stances will clue me in as to how to do it gracefully and no swelling and bruising. PEOPLE LIKE ME WANNA KNOW! LOL!!!

Love.. granny lee

[Guest guest]

you are right, Ida, i really am lucky and don't think i don't know it.! i have friends who have many more maladies than i and are still showing a light in their eyes and doing what they have to do. I say how it is with me, not meaning to complain, but to let others know that they are not alone and that what is happening to them is not just all in their head. you are a brave and patient person as well as wise by doing the best you can and accepting what you can't. Like you, i have accepted my problem and that doesn't mean that we lay down like sheeps and do nothing to help ourselves, though.

with love.. granny lee

----- Original Message -----

From: Abdul Hamid Roslida

Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 8:36 PM

Subject: Re: Granny Lee & Bonnie & a new question

lucky U, i ve been diagnosed since i was 13 and now i m 36.. used to cry alot bcos of the pain i suffered when i was a teenager, at dat time i was in boarding school, the ankle and wrirst joints hurt so much at dat time . when i grew older, it worsened actually.. but i ve stopped complaining.. Nvr shed any tears either. I ve accepted that I cudnt be like anyone else,,, Come to think of it.. I m glad that wud still be able to walk ( in my own way) and nvr give up with my life..

so cheer up guys.. dun ever worried so much abt the pain u suffered .. as it will worsen it .. Try to take one step at a time..

Ida

[Guest guest]

LOL!!! Love it!!! i used to do just that! we had a lake front and when i got home from the office.. i jumped in the lake!!! but here, there is no lake handy, the YMCA doesn't have facilities and the fitness center is pretty pricy for one who has a veery small SS check <g> I have checked both years i have been here and again today,and nothing new has come up. I have my burial fees and cemetery paid for, but i have to keep in mind that i could accidentally live another 10 or 15 years, and hope i won't have to replace the water heater or the roof or the car or the.....on and on and on and like old Mc.. 50 here and 30 there .. here a 30 there a 30 ...pretty soon the rainy day fund is GONE with the wind.. or washed away at the swimming pool LOL!!! i can wallow all over the floor here and stay reasonably limber considering ....and it's cheap... I do appreciate the idea. and dear Marcia, you are not all wet'; it is an excellent idea. I was in fine form when i swam regularly. the turtles in the lake used to form a semi-circle out about 30 yards and, with just their little heads poked up, watch me swim. i think they thought i was some kind of large frog as i would float on my back, legs hanging akimbo like a frog when i wanted to relax!!!

if i win the lottery..1 ticket a month!!! then i can go, but not holding my breath <G>

i do not envy you having to have another surgery, and hope it goes well with you. my old neighbor had both done at the same time. he was in really bad condition. the hips caused him to be very spradle legged, but after the surgery he was just fine. he even built a work shop and a gazebo on his pier all by himself and was able to do anything he chose to do!!!! He is an amazing person.

love.. granny lee

----- Original Message -----

From: Marcia Stoyle

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 8:31 PM

Subject: Re: Granny Lee & Bonnie & a new question

granny lee: go jump in the lake! seriously, in a pool, you can do all the karate moves you want, and not fall over, and the resistance of the water is better than hand weights. call around to your local high schools or the YMCA for times the pools are open to the public. if you contact the local arthritis.org, they can tell you which pools have arthritis instuctors and classes. believe me, that is the only way I can move well, as I am six months away from my second hip surgery and cannot walk well any more. give it a try, and then you can tell me I am all wet!!! gentle hugs, Marcia leo <leo@...> wrote:

----- Original Message -----

From: & Lucy

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 6:35 PM

Subject: Lucy/exercise/Granny Lee & Bonnie & a new question

Granny Lee

Well at least your typing fingers still work (and boy do they - LOL)!

oh yes! LOL ....and they hit every other key and i have to go back and have to try to fill in the ones i missed! heheheh!!!

lee

[Guest guest]

Ida, I can relate to your situation as you recall the pain and your feelings regarding not being like everyone else. I was diagnosed at 17 and your right, with age one seems to be able to tolerate ones condition much better and make peace with our limitations. Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do to fight the disease and it's affects. I believe the teenage years are the toughest time to be diagnosed with this condition although any age is no bargain. My heart goes out to everyone with RA especially the children and those teens that are just starting to realize what life is all about.