Exercise

[Guest guest]

I love the warm water exercise classes sponsored by the Arthritis

Foundation. Here's a link to find the classes in your area:

http://www.arthritis.org/events/getinvolved/ProgramsServices/AquaticProgram.

asp

<http://www.arthritis.org/events/getinvolved/ProgramsServices/AquaticProgram

..asp>

I especially like that it's affordable, $25 a month in the San Francisco

area for 1 hour class per week.

[Guest guest]

One other thing I like in addition to warm water exercise, is certain

exercise videos. I have found that the Arthritis Foundation's PACE Level 1

Gentle exercise video is doable even when my ankles are swollen. Also, the

Sit and Be Fit television show on PBS. I recently got a Sit and Be Fit

video especially for arthritis from Collage Video. Those are my favorites

right now.

[Guest guest]

Hi Liz, I find I have to ration exercise, I have to find the limit for each

exercise, go over that limit and I get pain. I'll have to keep exploring,

Matt

[Guest guest]

Liz,

My doctor told me that warm water exercise would help with weight control.

I didn't believe him, but sure enough when I started doing it a couple years

ago, I stopped gaining weight. Then, I stopped doing it and started gaining

again. I'm back doing it now. I've lost a few pounds but that could have

been from the stomach flu. Anyway, I find the Arthritis Foundation warm

water exercise classes very helpful.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay sounds like a good idea, I was thinking of trying Tai Chi, I hope I

spelled that right. Something that would give me flexibility. I walk about

20 minutes a day, I do my back exercises for Ankylosing, but getting good

aerobics is hard. Dancing might be the answer, I have two left feet, and

would have to call it something more macho like 'football playbook moves' I

read about the rock climbing contest your son was in, very impressive! Take

care, Matt

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/15/2003 3:34:27 PM Pacific Standard Time,

supermattvan@... writes:

> Dancing might be the answer, I have two left feet, and

> would have to call it something more macho like 'football playbook moves'

LOL, Oh, guys taking dance lessons are The Most Popular!!! So..if you are

married, sign up as a couple, if single... go have a Blast! And not to

worry... we all have two left feet when we start. I still have two left feet

half the time. Thank Heavens Adrienne managed to get one left And one right.

I

>

> read about the rock climbing contest your son was in, very impressive!

>

>

Thanks! I am so proud of the young man! He was asked to join the climbing

team at the gym he climbs at. He is so excited. They are supposed to be 12

to join...and he is 10 and a little bit.

So tonight he is at the gym, taking part in a shoe demo ( means he gets to

try on lots of shoes and chose one's he likes the best) And then after the

shoe demo, he is going to baseball practice. Never a Slow moment!

K

[Guest guest]

Matt,

I have severe problems with exercise, it is so easy to make things

worse.

Like others have mentioned, warm water exercise has proved to be the

best for me. But, I can't do the arthritis foundation recommended

stuff, it's too vigorous for me. I found a hydrotherapist who

primarily works with MS patients - they have a high degree of

fatigue like me. She gave me a program that I can tolerate

and feels good.

First, I wear a flotation belt. That is not

a life-saving vest, but something like a flat noodle that fastens

high around the chest - you should find one in a sports store.

That keeps me upright in the pool in deep water. And in chest

deep water, if I slip, the belt catches me and I don't jerk and

hurt myself trying to keep from going under.

Just 'floating' upright is very relaxing, it provides a gentle

stretch on the spine. For active exercise, I very slowly bicycle

my legs, moving at even a moderate pace gives me muscle spasms.

So, I can slowly move over a part of a lane this way. I can

also use my arms slowly to move as well. I can alternate arms

and legs or use them together.

This proved amazingly helpful for me and was the only thing that

gave me some improvement in strength, flexibility and ease of pain.

And I was loosing weight at a slow but steady pace. And, all I

did was active exercise for 1 minute, rest for 4 minutes and repeat

for a total of 3 'sets'. When I stopped, I was up to 4 sets.

I stopped because I got that horrible skin rash in early Feb -

no pool use with open sores. Then caught a cold, got bronchitis,

blew out my back coughing, etc. I'm only now just barely able to

move enough to go to my other physiotherapies (massage, manipulation).

So, I have to get started again, hopefully soon.

You are still working so you are probably a lot stronger than I

am, so you should be able to do more active exercise in the pool.

But, I'd still recommend using the flotation belt - you wear it

up high, just under your armpits. To benefit your back the most,

you need to be in water at least up to your armpits. The right

size belt will keep you floating at just that level in deep

water. With the belt, you can focus on exercising the parts that

need it and not have to worry about slipping or staying upright

or keeping your head above water. And you can stop and rest

immediately if you feel a pinch or spasm.

I tried Tai Chi with an instructor who taught a class specifically

for the local Arthritis Foundation. She was very understanding

about not being able to hold positions or move through all the

motions. And she was able to alter the full program to suit you

as an individual. I had trouble because I couldn't stand and

hold my balance without holding on to something. So, I alternated

with sitting in a chair and doing the arm movements and using my

rolling walker and doing the foot movements. But, there were

plenty of others in the class with quite severe arthritis that

were able to do the entire program. I quit because even doing

only abbreviated movements, I would get too tired and had to

lie down for half-hour before I could manage to go home. I

actually got tired of people at the center being overly concerned

and coming up and asking every 2 or 3 minutes if I was ok - not

good for resting.

G

supermattvan@... wrote:

> I am going through another exercise program. I was wondering what kinds of

> gentle exercise others on the list found useful. I have AS with fusing so I

> find it hard to find gentle exercise that doesn't end up doing more harm than

> good. Any suggestions or experiences?

>

>

--

kjg@...

Canberra, ACT Australia

[Guest guest]

this was very helpful---about the water exercise.

Where would be a good place to get the floatation device at a reasonable

price? It sounds like that could be an aerobic exercise that would be

good. Tai Chi sounds good but is that going to satisfy the requirements

for heart strengthening through sustained aerobic exercise?

I do have a huge problem with fatigue.. sometimes not as bad..but

yesterday wasa terrible day for me. I was at volunteers and I had to stop

and rest every little bit. Then I had to rest after my shift before I

could go back to the volunteer office--it is a long ways down. Then I had

to rest before the long trip to the car. When I got to the vol office,

also, I found it locked for some reason. The security guy came to unlock

it but he said from now on you need to just come get the key yourself.

There was no way I could explain to him how much it had drained me just to

walk to the office ONE TIME let alone go to and from security again!!

They just do not get it!!!!!!!!!

Liz

~~~~~~

" This is the day which the Lord hath made; Let us be GLAD and rejoice in

it! " Psalms 118:24

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Liz. This group has helped me so much, it helps even

more that I can help others.

Where to purchase the flotation belt. I got mine at

Sportmans Warehouse. Mine is a simple width of foam

about 8 inches wide and long enough to fit around my

back from armpit to armpit. It has a belt threaded

through it that fastens in the front and can be tightened

or loosened easily - like an airplane seatbelt. It was

the cheapest I could find. Several of the swim clubs -

at gyms, etc, carry various other kinds, nicer ones, softer,

more pliable, but much more more expensive. Since I

bought mine, I've seen similar ones in K-mart and places

that sell noodles, etc. Usually they come in 2 or 3 sizes,

mine was marked with a recommended weight so I 'knew' what

size to get. Even so, I didn't like the fit so well and used

a bread knife to cut some pieces off, espcially where it fits

under the arm pits, and also to get the right flotation I wanted.

That was a big advantage to getting the cheaper 'piece of foam'.

The expensive ones have covers of various types and would be

very difficult to alter.

Now, remember, I'm in Australia, so what and where in the US

I'm not sure. I looked on the internet, starting with

swimming accessories and found the following sites. This

will give you an idea of what to look for. But, if I lived

in the US, I'd use the yellow pages and call around locally.

It's better to see and try on before you buy in my opinion.

Ask for flotation belt, water jogger belt, aqua belt, etc.

Sites:

http://store./lane4swim/aqtrimfloatb.html

http://www.swimtowin.com/

http://www.kiefer.com/

this one has unmanageable direct access http address, click on

T & F Accessories and keep looking til you find a flotation belt

http://www.swimthings.com/swimthings.jsp?cat=swimwear & scat=aquafitness

this site had 3 things you could use, one I've never seen before, fits

under the crotch instead of around the waist/chest.

These on line belts are much more expensive than I paid, more in

line with the ones carried by the clubs I mentioned. I think

I paid $25 Australian (about 15 US) for mine, whereas the clubs

were charging 60-90 (about 40-60 US).

As far as aerobic, my opinion is something is better than nothing.

I'll worry about aerobic when I can tolerate more than one minute

of constant movement!!! Actually, Tai Chi may not quite fit the

aerobic definition, but it is supposed to give an excellent conditioning

to all muscle groups including the heart. Once you can do the full

sequence of movements, it takes about 30-40 minutes of continuous

movement an probably provides enough for aerobic fitness as well.

A lot of fatigue is a side effect of poor conditioning as a result

of lack of just plain moving because of pain, etc. I am quite sure

this is true of me. But, for me, and maybe for you, I am in such

poor shape and so sensitive to muscle spasms that it seems impossible

to get past any initial step at conditioning. That was the best

part of the hydrotherapist who worked with MS patients. She was

very familiar with this fatigue factor - MS patients have nerve

problems and enormous fatigue problems, a different cause than us,

but require a very slow, cautious approach to exercise.

This therapist was way cautious about overstressing. She made me

slow down further than even I though I should/could go and she

made me rest more than I thought I needed and she proved correct.

That is, if I kept going til I felt a tiredness, then I would just

collapse and not be able to go on. So, she started out by finding

out what made me feel the first start of tiredness then cut that

amount of movement and time in half. It took 6 sessions with her

and each session she cut what I had done the previous session in

half before she was satisfied that that was a good -starting- point.

Even I thought it was excessively slow. From the point where

she said - this is your regime - I almost thought what is the point,

because, I got into the pool in the shallow end, walked very slowly

to the deep end - about 10 meters - floated for 5 minutes, bicycled

my legs for 15 seconds, floated 5 minutes, walked to the shallow end

and got out. I did this for about 4 sessions before she increased

the regimen by doing 2 sets of 15 seconds of bicycling. So, how is

that for very easy exercise. Truth be told, everytime I got out of

the pool for these first 10 sessions, I had to have two people pull

me out of the pool (pool attendents) because I couldn't even walk

up the steps, then had to lie down at the edge of the pool for

half an hour before I could get up and go to the dressing room

where I lay down for another half hour before I could change and

go home. But, by session 9, I could tell a difference, I was

getting stronger - I only needed to rest 20 minutes before

going to the dressing room. When I stopped (because of the rash)

I was doing 4 sets of 1 minute active, 4 minutes rest, warmup of

walking 3 times up and down pool, warmdown the same, I could get

out of the pool by myself, rested for 30 minutes before changing

and that was mostly precaution rather than a real feeling of

fatigue. This was 9 months after I had started the hydrotherapy,

just to give you an idea of how slow (but steady) my progress was.

I started by going once a week, and was going 3 times a week at

the end.

If (when?) I ever get stronger, I would like to try Tai Chi

again, but, after this past 8 weeks of pure torture, I feel

like I am back at step one and wonder if I will ever get even

to the place where most people start. Oh well...

Regarding the security guard, yes, I know. People just have

no idea. Even those who are very sympathetic and try very

hard to be helpful just have no idea.

Good luck, I'll be glad to answer any more questions.

G.

Liz Kilpatrick wrote:

> this was very helpful---about the water exercise.

--

kjg@...

Canberra, ACT Australia

[Guest guest]

matt, try swimming or at least aqua-aerobics of some sort. i swim nearly

every day and almost always feel better after a good swim in the pool.

james in taiwan.

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[Guest guest]

I Loved this Ling ) That is one exercise I just might be able to do )

Love

Helen

Here's an exercise I have been doing to stay in shape. You might want to take it easy at first, then faster as you become more proficient.

"Don't be afraid to be yourself.

You are unique and special just the way you are."

Sue Calwell &

((((((( RAINBOW HUGS )))))))

LOVE HELEN

angelbear1129@...

[Guest guest]

,

I took Bev's advise and joined CURVES. I really like

it and it works great! The first month I lost 16.5

inches. Good luck!

Debra H.

San , TX

Dr. R. High Point

7-16-02

212/175

--- SHANNON GREEN <greenmail@...> wrote:

> Hi all, I wanted to hear what kind of workout

> everyone is doing or what you did the early weeks

> after MGB. I'm currently doing yoga and treadmill.

>

> Just curious if there is anything to " tighten up. "

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey all -

I just wanted to chime in on this exercise thing. I had surgery in

March of 2003, so I am about 6.5 months out. As of May, I joined

Curves, the gym for women, and it is amazing. It is truly so easy.

I mean, it is a work out and is effective, but it is so easy to fit

in. Your workout is always 30 minutes and while you are working

hard, it is not so bad that you dread it for the next time.

As far as results, I don't know how to measure what Curves has done

vs. what this surgery has done. However, I do know that I have

virtually NO hanging skin (I'm also 23 yrs old). I haven't weighed

and measured yet this month, but in the first 3 months I worked out

there, I lost 28 pounds, 23 of which were fat. And, I have lost 6%

body fat while I have been there. I can definetly tell that my

muscles are more toned than before, and that is exciting.

I have always been a person who has hated excercise. However, when

you can actually see the results because they aren't so covered by

fat they are invisible, it is very fun. I have also began running

some lately. And, I used to HATE running and I still don't enjoy it,

but it is bearable now. It is amazing what carrying 75 pounds less

weight around can do for every step.

THese are just my thoughts on exercise. From my view, I would say at

least try it again, and see how it feels. I bet many of us will like

it much more now than we did no matter how much we still have to make

ourselves go.

n

3/6/03

275/200

> Hi All,

>

> Exercise has made the biggest difference in my body and in my post

MGB life.

> I work out on the ellipitical cross trainer several times a week

and have

> become a dedicated weight trainer as well. I was stuck at 147 for

over 1

> year. My weight has come down to about 140 but my body looks very

very

> different...I look small now. Arms and shoulders and legs are

toned. Even

> my saggy saggy breasts look slightly better. I still need plastic

surgery

> for belly and breasts but weight lifting....man....its really the

best for

> mind, body, and spirit! Nothing makes me feel better than seeing

th muscle

> tone. And the cardio workouts are aswesome for my depression and

anxiety!!

>

> All the best,

>

> in DC

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Express yourself with MSN Messenger 6.0 -- download now!

> http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/reach_general

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone -- Jeannine from Kc here. I am all for exercise but I think

n hit the nail on the head when she said she had no hanging skin but was

also 23 yrs old. I know the older you are and the longer you have been

overweight, the longer that skin has been stretched and I'm not sure if it

ever will go completely back to normal. I was doing ok with the skin thing

till I got under 200 where I haven't been for over 15 yrs and it's starting

to show a little now. I am trying to do more weight training and taking

essential fatty acid supplements which are supposed to help too. We'll see

where I am when I lose 50 more lbs or so. Take care everyone -- Jeannine

283/193 MGB 3/5/03

>From: " ryann_castle " <ryanncastle@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: Re: exercise

>Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 20:15:36 -0000

>

>Hey all -

>I just wanted to chime in on this exercise thing. I had surgery in

>March of 2003, so I am about 6.5 months out. As of May, I joined

>Curves, the gym for women, and it is amazing. It is truly so easy.

>I mean, it is a work out and is effective, but it is so easy to fit

>in. Your workout is always 30 minutes and while you are working

>hard, it is not so bad that you dread it for the next time.

>

>As far as results, I don't know how to measure what Curves has done

>vs. what this surgery has done. However, I do know that I have

>virtually NO hanging skin (I'm also 23 yrs old). I haven't weighed

>and measured yet this month, but in the first 3 months I worked out

>there, I lost 28 pounds, 23 of which were fat. And, I have lost 6%

>body fat while I have been there. I can definetly tell that my

>muscles are more toned than before, and that is exciting.

>

>I have always been a person who has hated excercise. However, when

>you can actually see the results because they aren't so covered by

>fat they are invisible, it is very fun. I have also began running

>some lately. And, I used to HATE running and I still don't enjoy it,

>but it is bearable now. It is amazing what carrying 75 pounds less

>weight around can do for every step.

>

>THese are just my thoughts on exercise. From my view, I would say at

>least try it again, and see how it feels. I bet many of us will like

>it much more now than we did no matter how much we still have to make

>ourselves go.

>

>n

>3/6/03

>275/200

>

>

> > Hi All,

> >

> > Exercise has made the biggest difference in my body and in my post

>MGB life.

> > I work out on the ellipitical cross trainer several times a week

>and have

> > become a dedicated weight trainer as well. I was stuck at 147 for

>over 1

> > year. My weight has come down to about 140 but my body looks very

>very

> > different...I look small now. Arms and shoulders and legs are

>toned. Even

> > my saggy saggy breasts look slightly better. I still need plastic

>surgery

> > for belly and breasts but weight lifting....man....its really the

>best for

> > mind, body, and spirit! Nothing makes me feel better than seeing

>th muscle

> > tone. And the cardio workouts are aswesome for my depression and

>anxiety!!

> >

> > All the best,

> >

> > in DC

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Express yourself with MSN Messenger 6.0 -- download now!

> > http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/reach_general

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

You can workout any time of day but a step class won't substitute for the

cardio. You can still take a step class for fun if you want, but make sure

you're also getting 20 minutes of high-intensity interval training three times a

week for maximum fat loss. The choreography of most classes and videos isn't

what you're looking for. They keep you in a moderate training range for long

periods of time rather than stressing intense intervals. That means you'll burn

calories while you're doing it, but you won't get the same kind of fat burning

benefits in the hours afterward. The interval training is designed to increase

your metabolism for the rest of the day.

Exercise

I'm just starting the body for life program and I have a few

questions about the work out. Is it okay to do the recomended

workout Mid day or evening if you can't make it in the morning?

Second, for the areobic exercise, is it okay to take a step class

instead of working on a starionary bike or treadmil.

[Guest guest]

t,

At our facility, we strongly encourage exercise / physical activity, but with the volume of patients that we see (9 surgeries per week), it is very difficult to follow everyone post-op to be sure they maintain a regular exercise program. We don't have an exercise physiologist on our team, but we do provide resources of exercise programs in the community (Curves, etc). In my experience, the ones that are consistent with their exercise after surgery have better weight loss success than those that don't exercise.

- Beth

exercise

Just a quick question. How many of your doctors performing bariatric surgery insist on a fitness program for their patients after recovery?

t Rodman RD, LD, CFTRegistered Dietitian, Fitness Trainer and Speaker for Sport, Health and Balanced LivingLevel Fitness - a unique fitness club7687 MacArthur BlvdCabin , MD 20818

[Guest guest]

t,

We have a 2,500 sq ft fitness center in our office with treadmills, arc trainers, free weights, and free motion equipment. Patients are required to pay a set maintenance fee prior to surgery that covers all follow up appointments with the doctors, dietitians, a year's membership to the fitness center, and access to the bi-weekly education classes. In addition, at four weeks post-op, every single patient is required to meet with one of our three exercise physiologists in order to have an individualized program developed. We have created an environment where these patients feel comfortable exercising. We believe the access to the fitness center, in combination with the other ancillary services, has enabled a large percentage of patients to achieve nearly 100% EBW loss.

Kate Alie, M.S., R.D., L.D. Director of Nutrition Services Medabolix 600 Way

Northgate Business Park

ton, WV 25311 (304) 347-4313 (304) 347-4316 (fax)>From: "Beth Goodridge" <bgoodridge@...> >Reply- >< > >Subject: Re: exercise >Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 19:15:35 -0700 > >t, > At our facility, we strongly encourage exercise / physical activity, but with the volume of patients that we see (9 surgeries per week), it is very difficult to follow everyone post-op to be sure they maintain a regular exercise program. We don't have an exercise physiologist on our team, but we do provide resources of exercise programs in the community (Curves, etc). In my experience, the ones that are consistent with their exercise after surgery have better weight loss success than those that don't exercise. >- Beth > exercise > > > Just a quick question. How many of your doctors performing bariatric surgery insist on a fitness program for their patients after recovery? > > t Rodman RD, LD, CFT > Registered Dietitian, Fitness Trainer > and Speaker for Sport, Health and Balanced Living > Level Fitness - a unique fitness club > 7687 MacArthur Blvd > Cabin , MD 20818 > >

[Guest guest]

Our surgeon has developed a Bariatric

Exercise Program. It consists of a 6 week pre-op exercise and 12 week post-op

exercise program. It includes 3 sessions with a personal trainer and education

session every Tuesday for 30 minutes. They meet twice a week for 1 ½ hours each

session. When they join the Bariatric Program they also become a member of the

gym which allows them to workout any day. The gym is down the street from our

office and part of the clinic. I usually meet with the group every 2nd

and 3rd Tuesday of the month and I try to make it more of an

informal support group rather than a nutrition lecture. I can’t express how

much our patient’s enjoy the program and the success we see after

surgery. Lately, our challenge is getting these patients to actually enroll in

this program. Our surgeon wants to make it a requirement but he has people

coming from far distances to have surgery. However, we also offer a home

program as a second choice.  If anyone

has been working with this population for awhile you know they will find anyway

or excuse not of exercise. We are interested in researching the outcomes of change

in body composition over a year and the difference between a pre-op, post-op,

and no exercise program.  

Beth Whelan, MS,RD,LD

Outpatient Dietitian

Harbin Clinic

office: (706) 378-8163

fax: (706) 238-8037

exercise

Just a quick question. How

many of your doctors performing bariatric surgery insist on a fitness program

for their patients after recovery?

t Rodman RD, LD, CFT

Registered Dietitian, Fitness Trainer

and Speaker for Sport, Health and Balanced Living

Level Fitness - a unique fitness club

7687 MacArthur Blvd

Cabin , MD 20818

[Guest guest]

Gretchen here...

I walked 30 days in a row before missing. Since then I have been walking a lot

more than in the past, but not managing every day. It's sure easier to fit into

the longer summer days, sometimes a morning and an evening walk.

G

[Guest guest]

, my husband had plantar fasciitis for a few months. It seemed to be

getting more troublesome so our family doctor (who does pretty much a little of

everything as he teaches new interns the practice of family practice. Medicare

won't let you go to a specialist on your own anymore...you have to have a

referral. When he looked at it he said to fill a small bottle of water with cold

water and freeze it. Take the frozen bottle and roll it with the affected foot,

back and forth. This will stretch the muscle/ligament and numb it so it won't

hurt as much. It worked, but not good enough. The next time he saw him he

game him an injection in the bottom of the food. It was completely better the

very next day and hasn't given him any trouble for over a month now. I was so

impressed with his results and had my knee injected. I was having trouble with

the nerve that comes from the SI 2/L4and5 (the area in this portion of my spine

has built up so much bone during fuzing, that it is compromising the spinal

cord. It is damaging the nerve that runs down this area to the foot. Well, I

know this is a long story...try to make it short...My Rheumy gave me a shot in

my knee (over the years I've had many of them....but they did nothing.) This

time I woke up and I have no numbness in my foot/leg/knee, I can bend it almost

fully and have no trouble climbing stairs. So don't give up afte just one

shot....the next might be the dream. She said if this didn't work....would have

to

go through nerve conduction test. So I don't know whether I was scared the

problem away....or whether a new med was used and it mores marvelously. She said

that many times with AS knee....the bakers cyst in the back of knee...swells

up with fluid and presses on nerve and it makes it so you can't bend your

knee. So it may be two problems....the one in SI and the cyst in back of knee.

My

brother had this happen to him....so it is fairly common. It made my whole leg

swell and foot...Kay B. how is your foot? you had the same thing. My husband

was in heaven....after the shot.

[Guest guest]

,

I had both heels go fasciitis one Christmas. Since I was the only one to do

the Christmas chores, r & r wasn't a choice. BUT that's what seemed to work

best for me. I was told by my rheumy NOT to have cortisone injections

because they more often than not created more problems, though the

injections might help in the short run.

I can't say that anything but tincture of time helped my pain and it was

excrutiating. Walking was agony and I lived in a house with Mexican tile

floors--lots of them.

PT did 'give' me some inserts for shoes that might have helped a little.

They are designed for heel spurs, I think but they were prescribed for me

with the plantar fasciitis. They have a plug to pull out where the pain is

the worst and that took some of the pressure off when I just had to walk.

Hope your luck with pain relief is better than mine was and that you have a

short session of the problem.

[Guest guest]

Kay, you might want to try the steroid shot in your foot. My husband had the

Plantar Fasciitis for months. Since the day after his shot...he has been

completely free from any symptoms! Connie

[Guest guest]

Kay B. how is your foot? you had the same thing.

Hi Connie, My feet have been bothering me less. I had PT. I'm still having

trouble getting Blue Cross to cover the sessions. I called prior to treatment

and they told me it would be covered based on the diagnosis code. Later, they

refused to cover PT. They said it would have to be covered under a separate

insurer for foot care. They said they only cover it if it is the result of an

accident with referral through an Emergency room. They have all of the

documentation where they agreed to cover it but said that is not a guarantee of

coverage. So after a second denial they are sending it to " marketing " to try to

get my husband's employer to agree to coverage. I did file through Foot Care

and was told I went out of plan so they would not cover it. If Blue Cross had

given me the correct information when I called I could have met the requirements

to get coverage for Foot Care. What a catch 22!! Also I have Medicare but I

don't think they will cover if Foot Care says I went out of plan. YIKES!! This

all gets very complicated. I will take it this issue as far as a can to get

coverage as I think I'm getting the shaft by the insurance company. If we can't

take their word on coverage when we call to get approval what can we rely on.

Kay

[Guest guest]

I did not have the cortisone shot because the rheumatologist at a major

hospital in Atlanta told me that doing so often created scar tissue that is

worse than the original pain and much more difficult to get rid of. I

followed her suggestions and have had no follow up bouts of fasciitis though

it has been about 14 years since that horrible Christmas.

I hope your husband has the great follow up that I did.

/ AS/ FMS

[Guest guest]

Thanks June! I've never heard of PACE before, but I looked and

found this link where you can put in your zip code (see the box to

the right) and find any water aerobics, PACE classes or support

groups that are in your area:

http://www.arthritis.org/events/getinvolved/ProgramsServices/PACE.asp

I had looked into arthritis water aerobics classes before, and they

are all on the weekdays during the daytime! I have to work, and I'm

lucky I am able to work, so how about having something in the

evenings or on weekends? Not everyone with arthritis is retired or

disabled! I did join a gym with water aerobics, but I got the scoop

in the locker room that the Tue/Thu evening teacher isn't that good,

Saturday's is better. But the one time I went she wasn't there that

day, and I haven't managed to make it there on a Saturday since.

June - you can thank my mom for the reference to sitting in bed to

exercise even if that's all you do. That is what she told me when I

was newly diagnosed and telling her I just couldn't manage to do any

exercise. My excuses were always too much pain, too tired, or not

enough time. As you can see, her persistence won and now I'm a

believer in exercise for RA. And I even got her to get to the gym

and lift weights, so I ended up teaching her something too. Who

could have guessed that would have happened.

I was feeling down earlier, but I went and bought some fall-

arthritis-friendly shoes and I feel much better. I don't know why I

was ever so upset to give up high heels. What was I thinking?

Comfortable shoes are the best!

Jennie

> " Pretty much

> everyone could do some form of exercise, even if it's just sitting

in

> bed and stretching. "

>

> Good statement Jennie, There are Pace classes(People with

Arthritis can Exercise) available everywhere and The Arthritis

Society can direct you to a class near you. It is quite amazing to

see the difference people who start the classes, stiff and unable to

move without pain, after a few weeks, greatly reduced joint pain and

great improvement in mobility. I can't stress it enough that you

will benefit from exercise.

> Hugs

> June

>

>