Exercise

[Guest guest]

Yoga has been helpful to me when I was too sore in the feet to walk. The

postures which involve raising the feet (shoulder and head stands and

others) might help the blood flow return from the feet, if you can get into

them. I just do as much as my condition allows without too much pain. I'm

inclined to try to rest more when flaring as I worry about increasing joint

damage from overwork, and try to make up for it when I'm doing better.

LizG

[Guest guest]

Hi Geoff,

I have had the " edema problem " for YEARS. You must get yourself on a

diuretic if you are not already. I am on " Maxide " which is not potassium

depleting, nor is it as radical as Lasix. Other than that, I really do

find that the more I am up walking around or have my lets elevated the

lesser swelling I have. Also, I'm surprised that you don't find " gentle "

swimming a relief, and I mean gentle. In the summer I will use the pool

for exercises for my knees and shoulders; doing the exercises in the

water is so much better on the joints due to the bouancy effect. Isn't

this fluid retention a pain in the pattoooooti? I wish there was more I

could suggest....OH, needless to say, stay away from " sodium " ; biggest

contributor to edema.

Judy (a.k.a. Lurker)

[Guest guest]

Geoff, when I started my therapy at a local clinic after my knee surgery

last fall, the therapist decided I needed to get more movement back in one

of my ankles, the one that is most often very swollen. It has been slow and

painful, but more movement has returned with the bonus of improvement in my

walking due to that. The amazing part for me is that for well over a month

now, the swelling has been minimal. The intense stretching of its range of

motion is the only thing that has really been different. So I guess

exercise can be important for edema.

rheumatic Exercise

>From: Geoff Crenshaw <geoff@...>

>

>Hi Group! Geoff Crenshaw here.

>

>Does anyone with long-standing edema in the lower legs, ankles and feet

>have any luck with walking as exercise? How about those with wrist

>involvement and rowing, free weights, machines, etc.?

>

>I have been at a loss for years trying to find an exercise regimen.

>Swimming is too hard on the joints, walking makes me look like the

>Pillsbury Dough Boy from the knees down and the wrists are shot. I've

>found this 'air walker' thing but was wondering if any of you have had

>any luck with something else.

>--

>Regards,

>

>Geoff Crenshaw, ACC ----------------------

>Managing Partner ** No Disclaimers **

>Captain Cook's Cruise Center ----------------------

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/20/1999 10:23:36 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

janet.battcock@... writes:

> Anyone got any advice on what exercise may be helpful?

>

[Guest guest]

> Anyone got any advice on what exercise may be helpful?>

Janet,

The people here turned me on to swimming. I used to do a lot of swimming

but gave it up thinking it would play havoc with the psoriasis. Sometimes

when I swam I would get hives so I had an allergy to something. But now that

they don't use chlorine much anymore, and people here said they swim with no

problems, i tried it again and have been swimming the past few weeks. it's

been great. So nice on the joints, easy to move around in the water and the

spa feels especially good. Is there a pool near you?

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 99-08-20 13:23:33 EDT, you write:

<< I have a Nordic Track that I use

a few times a week, but that is so boring. & nbsp; I love step aerobics but

that is next to impossible to do anymore. & nbsp; I used to bike for hours

everyday, and now the circular motion of my knees causes pain. & nbsp; I

do alot of stretches but that does not burn calories! & nbsp; I am overweight

by about 70 pounds and a diabetic. & nbsp; I have lost about 35 pounds thanks

to a wonderful drug called metformin (glucophage) and the weight loss seems

to have a positive effect on my knees. & nbsp; I can do very mild to moderate

exercise for short periods, but that will not burn calories or increase

my metabolism. & nbsp; Anyone got any advice on what exercise may be helpful?

>>

Janet , pardon my ignorance but what is nbsp? We had all kinds of exercise

things in our rec rm. and never used them 'till we bought a used treadmill.

We both use it at least 30 min per day. I have been taking water aerobics

outside at the pool. This next wk. will end those. Took them 5x a wk. Now

I signed up to take them at inside pool 3x a wk. They really help so much.

We leave for Fl. in Nov and come back for the holidays and them back mid Jan.

I try to do aerobics with other gals there and we walk a lot. I also have

put wt. on and it can do so much harm to us Am interested in your

metformin. Is that a Rx drug? I wouldn't think the stair stepper would be

good for your knees, and the same for the bike. When you're on your

treadmill turn up the sound of a good movie and watch it 30 min at a set

time. Good luck to you. Betty in Va

[Guest guest]

Somewhere I still have photocopied sheets detailing the exercise I had to do

when I was in hospital last year, and still (to some extent) do. This is

just the dry land stuff, not the hydrotherapy stuff I also did in hospital.

Perhaps I should try and find them and post them on my web site. I'll get to

it at some point over the weekend, all being well.

Cheers

Tony

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

> I am wondering what other people with PA do for exercise.

[Guest guest]

Does anyone use an exercise cycle?? I was given one yesterday, a simple

one with a speedometer and odometer and adjustable tension.

Phyllis

.........................................................................

mailto:wo286@... http://www.victoria.tc.ca/~wo286/

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/20/1999 1:23:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

janet.battcock@... writes:

<< I cannot

walk great distances. & nbsp; 30 mins at a time seems to be my absolute cut

off, and even then I am stiff and achey the next day >>

I would like to ask the rest of you...do any of you have foot and toe

deformity? My toes have all frozen and deformed to the extent that walking

for exercise is impossible. Now, I am walking on boney protrusions at the

bottom of the toes...where they have bent, turned up, and frozen...and it is

painful.

Maybe some type of surgery is available for this..???

Annette

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 20 Aug 1999 17:05:00 EDT, Bcleary2@... wrote:

><< I have a Nordic Track that I use

> a few times a week, but that is so boring. & nbsp; I love step aerobics but

> that is next to impossible to do anymore. & nbsp; I used to bike for hours

> everyday, and now the circular motion of my knees causes pain. & nbsp; I

> do alot of stretches but that does not burn calories! & nbsp; I am overweight

> by about 70 pounds and a diabetic. & nbsp; I have lost about 35 pounds thanks

> to a wonderful drug called metformin (glucophage) and the weight loss seems

> to have a positive effect on my knees. & nbsp; I can do very mild to moderate

> exercise for short periods, but that will not burn calories or increase

> my metabolism. & nbsp; Anyone got any advice on what exercise may be helpful?

> >>

>Janet , pardon my ignorance but what is nbsp? We had all kinds of exercise

The nbsp is HTML for <space>. It tells web browsers to display a

<space>.

Steve

http://www.zoomnet.net/~steve

[Guest guest]

Hi Annette

Yes I have toe and foot deformities on my left foot and it is very painful

about 2 months ago my left heel joined in it seems that my PA really likes

tendons...

Chronic pain is very difficult never mind deforming an already unattractive

part of the body.

Well I hope you feel better and know your not alone

[Guest guest]

--- " P. Griffiths " <wo286@...> wrote:

> Does anyone use an exercise cycle??

Yes -- I use an exercise cycle. I have a fully

recumbent bike, which is better for my back (I have

ankylosing spondylitis as well as PA). I have it in

front if the TV because, frankly, I wouldn't use it if

it were not ;-)

, NJ Highlands

raharris@...

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Pat,

I'm sorry, but water exercise would have been my first suggestion. I would

definitely recommend it to anyone who does have access, however. It amazes

me how much better I feel after I've taken a water aerobics class, so much so

that I've just started going 3X per week.

Another option you may try to look into is a Pilates class, or a video tape.

I gave a class a try at my health club, and really liked it. It's low/no

impact and really stretches and strengthens your body. I felt inches taller

just walking out of one class! I made it very clear to the instructor that

there may be movements that I wouldn't be able to manage, but we both were

surprised at how much I could do, given I was attending my first class and

with the arthritis. Unfortunately, the times that they offer the class

simply don't work with my schedule, or I would certainly be there as much as

possible. Maybe another option to look into?

Hope this helps - Patty

>>>I would love to be able to participate in water exercises but the closest

is over an hour away >>PatB

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

I had the same problem. Don't exercise during a flare. I couldn't

pin anyone down more than that. Well, I was always being told that the

disease was active throughout my body. If there is a difference between

active and flare, it was too subtle for me. I did have differences with

changes in the barometric pressure but it was a matter of PAin and

PAIN. That's all I found out in 16 years from rheumatologists, physical

therapists, and occupational therapists.

NC

[Guest guest]

You are not alone. Every time I do anything to excert myself, I get pain in

my back, and feel faint. It worsens til I sit down and take a break then I

am okay again til the next time I need to take a break again. Similar to

your problem, but not as severe (no chills, etc). Anyone else have this

problem? I am trying to strengthen myself by excercising......walking every

evening wiht my dog and it is doing a number on my lower back. Not sure if

it is the PA, or the fact that I am five ft two and weigh almost 200lbs, or

W H A T. Just venting here, I am so frustrated! I used to be able to do so

much....could walk for hours......and now its down to having to sit down at

two blocks! Anyone else have anything similar to this in their lower back

or hips? Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

LeAnn & Blossom

[Guest guest]

,

My suggestion would be to start off easy and see how much your body can

handle...I was diagnosed a little over a year ago....for months I couldn't

exercise (each step was pretty painful)....It was driving me crazy since I

used to ride my bike to work everyday and would run a couple of times a

week....SO.....around July of last year I decided I was going to hop back on

that bike even if it hurt a bit....I had to start slow but after a couple of

weeks I could ride my bike to work again....soon I was riding

everyday....NOW....I run four miles three to four times a week....albeit not

as fast as I used to run BUT I am running nonetheless....

The prednisone will help handle the inflammation...if you notice you are

flaring, cut back on the exercise a bit...I am convinced the exercise

actually helped me get to where I am today.....almost like oiling the ole

joints....

Having said all of that....I am just relating my personal experience...I'm

sure of the other folks on this list, many more experienced with this than I,

some will agree while others may not...basically, you have to see what works

for YOU.....

Blessings and Health

Tony (Diagnosed Sero-Neg. RA Apr 99; on AP since 5 Oct 99)

Meds (DR Prescribed): Prednisone 5mg daily; Minocycline 100mg 2Xdaily

(generic lederale); Folic Acid 2MG per day; Prednisone 10 mg daily; Prilosec

20-40mg daily

Alternative Meds/Herbs: Flax Seed Oil (Omega 3, 6, 9) 2 g daily; Evening

Primrose Oil 2 g daily; MSM 2 g daily; Pantothenic Acid (B5) 2 g daily;

Niacin (B6) 1 g Daily; Ginger Caps 2G daily; Ginseng 840 mg daily; Chitosan

2 g Daily; Lactobacillis Acidopholis 2 capsules daily; Vitamin E 1000IU

daily; Saw Palmetto 1080mg daily; Quercetin 500mg daily; Bromelain 250mg

daily; vita C 3 G daily; Green Tea at least two liters daily.

[Guest guest]

Hi !

I am too and I think water based range of motion and endurance

classes are good for us. Most sports facilities offer these classes. You

can also wear a flotation belt in the water and get a good workout by running

in place and other excersises. The YMCA offers the Arthritis

FoundationAquatic Program.

c

[Guest guest]

I 2nd those Rhoda! Chair dancing is a blast and not hard on the lower half

joints. Also, I do butt crunches in my seat. I *want* to start swimming as

well.

~Rainy Sue

> chair dancing, swimming. upper body excercises,

> stretching.....

>

[Guest guest]

chair dancing, swimming. upper body excercises,

stretching.....

rhoda

--- burnettaljanb@... wrote:

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Anyone out there have any tips on exercising with RA,

especially if the knees <BR>

are shot??? Need to boost my metabolism.. Would

appreciate any input. & nbsp; txs<BR>

<BR>

<BR>

Jan in SC<BR>

<BR>

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[Guest guest]

i swim like a fish but get ear infections everytime i

just look at water

rhoda

--- Rysu19@... wrote:

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<html><body>

<tt>

I 2nd those Rhoda! Chair dancing is a blast and not

hard on the lower half <BR>

joints. Also, I do butt crunches in my seat. I *want*

to start swimming as <BR>

well.<BR>

<BR>

~Rainy Sue<BR>

<BR>

<BR>

& gt; chair dancing, swimming. upper body

excercises,<BR>

& gt; stretching.....<BR>

& gt; <BR>

<BR>

<BR>

<BR>

<BR>

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[Guest guest]

Welcome, Jan!

I'm sorry I've taken so long to tell you I'm happy you're here. I've enjoyed

reading your posts. You are very lucky to have such a wonderful physician.

You gave good advice to the rest of us here who perhaps are not that

fortunate - seek another doctor if the one you have isn't giving you

competent, compassionate care.

Gentle exercise is a great way to keep your joints in the best possible

shape they can be while helping your metabolism, too.

One place to start for advice would be at your next visit with your doctor.

You and he will know your body's limitations best, and he can OK any program

you are about to embark on or suggest one for you. The last thing you want

to do is hurt yourself.

Here are a few web sites with some exercise ideas:

http://www.vhct.org/case1399/index.html

http://www.uic.edu/orgs/ncpad/Rheumatoid%20Arthritis%20and%20Exercise.htm

http://www.arthritis.org/readarthritistoday/1999_archives/1999_01_02exercise.asp

http://www.arthritis.org/readarthritistoday/1999_archives/1999_09_10extra_exerci\

se.asp

http://www.arthritis.org/readarthritistoday/2000_archives/2000_05_06_exercise.as\

p

Hope this helps!

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

From: <burnettaljanb@...>

< >

Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 11:29 AM

Subject: [ ] exercise

> Anyone out there have any tips on exercising with RA, especially if the

knees

> are shot??? Need to boost my metabolism.. Would appreciate any input. txs

>

>

> Jan in SC

[Guest guest]

Rainey Sue: Thanks for the info. not sure what chair dancing is...sorry, i'm

dumb i guess.

Jan

[Guest guest]

: Thanks so much for the advice. I guess the worst thing I worry about

is injury and more pain. Will look up the sites posted. Thanks again for

your help.

Jan

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan. Anything you can tolerate is great. Range of motion is very important

as is

stretching. Swimming is one of the best exercises because it takes the stress

off

of the joint. Check with your local arthritis association and see if there is

an aqua class

near you. It is very inexpensive, and has a trained therapist to help you.

Turn on your favorite music, grab a chair, have a seat, and start dancing! If

your

hips are bad, the chair dancing may not work. For knees, you should do quad

sets.

Lay flat with your legs straight and push down with your knee and hold it for a

count of 5.

Then try to do straight leg raises while laying down. These exercises keep the

muscles

strong that support the knee. I don't know how bad your knees are, or what you

can

tolerate, so please don't do anything that causes a great deal of pain. These

are what I

do, and after having both knees replaced, I continue them regularly.

a

2/1/01 7:29:10 AM, burnettaljanb@... wrote:

>Anyone out there have any tips on exercising with RA, especially if the knees

>are shot??? Need to boost my metabolism.. Would appreciate any input. txs

>

>

>Jan in SC

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi..i heard swimming is best or warm water therapy but who has access to a

warm pool these days..lois