I am new and would like feedback on safe exercises for RA.

[Guest guest]

Hi Janine. I links to articles on exercise on my website:

http://arthritissupport.info/Diet.html

My preference is water exercise. It is the most gentle on my joints

yet gives me a great workout.

I've read that weight training is also good. Can you still do it?

a

On Oct 18, 2005, at 10:21 PM, stygianwitch wrote:

> Hi,

> I was diagnosed with RA in 2002 but began having symptoms in 2000.

> Does anyone know any safe exercises for RA? My right ankle, both

> knees,neck, and shoulders are the areas most affected. My doctor never

> discusses exercise. He just modifies medication. I am currently on

> Methotrexate, Arava, and Plaquenil. Prior to 2000, I used to do weight

> training with light weights, ride a bike, play tennis on occasion, and

> walk at least three times per week. I now find walking difficult. Any

> suggestions?

>

> Thanks,

> Janine

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Janine. I links to articles on exercise on my website:

http://arthritissupport.info/Diet.html

My preference is water exercise. It is the most gentle on my joints

yet gives me a great workout.

I've read that weight training is also good. Can you still do it?

a

On Oct 18, 2005, at 10:21 PM, stygianwitch wrote:

> Hi,

> I was diagnosed with RA in 2002 but began having symptoms in 2000.

> Does anyone know any safe exercises for RA? My right ankle, both

> knees,neck, and shoulders are the areas most affected. My doctor never

> discusses exercise. He just modifies medication. I am currently on

> Methotrexate, Arava, and Plaquenil. Prior to 2000, I used to do weight

> training with light weights, ride a bike, play tennis on occasion, and

> walk at least three times per week. I now find walking difficult. Any

> suggestions?

>

> Thanks,

> Janine

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

A stationary bike is relatively easy on the knees. I wish I could make

myself ride mine a little more often. I somehow have gotten out of the

habit. I would lift weights if I knew how. I think that is still okay

to do if you have RA. I would say to do whatever you can do that

doesn't hurt your joints. Sue

On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 10:21 PM, stygianwitch wrote:

> Hi,

> I was diagnosed with RA in 2002 but began having symptoms in 2000.

> Does anyone know any safe exercises for RA? My right ankle, both

> knees,neck, and shoulders are the areas most affected. My doctor never

> discusses exercise. He just modifies medication. I am currently on

> Methotrexate, Arava, and Plaquenil. Prior to 2000, I used to do weight

> training with light weights, ride a bike, play tennis on occasion, and

> walk at least three times per week. I now find walking difficult. Any

> suggestions?

[Guest guest]

A stationary bike is relatively easy on the knees. I wish I could make

myself ride mine a little more often. I somehow have gotten out of the

habit. I would lift weights if I knew how. I think that is still okay

to do if you have RA. I would say to do whatever you can do that

doesn't hurt your joints. Sue

On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 10:21 PM, stygianwitch wrote:

> Hi,

> I was diagnosed with RA in 2002 but began having symptoms in 2000.

> Does anyone know any safe exercises for RA? My right ankle, both

> knees,neck, and shoulders are the areas most affected. My doctor never

> discusses exercise. He just modifies medication. I am currently on

> Methotrexate, Arava, and Plaquenil. Prior to 2000, I used to do weight

> training with light weights, ride a bike, play tennis on occasion, and

> walk at least three times per week. I now find walking difficult. Any

> suggestions?

[Guest guest]

Hi Janine:

I belong to Curves - my doctor recommended it. It is

generally easy for me, sometimes I skip a machine that

causes pain or take it easy on the walking platforms.

You can do the machines fast or slow, according to

what you can do. It only takes 30 minutes, but does

stretch my muscles and joints and I feel it does help

keep me more mobile.

Kathe in CA

--- stygianwitch <purvcj@...> wrote:

> Hi,

> I was diagnosed with RA in 2002 but began having

> symptoms in 2000.

> Does anyone know any safe exercises for RA? My right

> ankle, both

> knees,neck, and shoulders are the areas most

> affected. My doctor never

> discusses exercise. He just modifies medication. I

> am currently on

> Methotrexate, Arava, and Plaquenil. Prior to 2000, I

> used to do weight

> training with light weights, ride a bike, play

> tennis on occasion, and

> walk at least three times per week. I now find

> walking difficult. Any

> suggestions?

>

> Thanks,

> Janine

>

>

>

>

Kathe in CA

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[Guest guest]

Hi...My rheumy and my bariatric surgeon are encouraging me to go to " Curves " -

it is an exercise program for women. I have been walking, but they feel I will

gain more strength and muscle from a program like Curves. I did visit Curves 2

years ago, and liked it. So, I am planning to start this program next week. I

am still fibro flaring, but there isn't much swelling in my joints, so I feel ok

about starting. Here is their website just for info.

www.curvesinternational.com<http://www.curvesinternational.com/>

Hugs of hope...

Tess in Oregon

[Guest guest]

Tess, Curves is very popular here in Toronto. I personally know several people

that go on a regular basis and love it. Loss of muscle for us is a very big

problem. After me seeing three specialists and going through every test

imaginable they still could not figure out why I couldn't walk. As a last

resort I went back to my massage therapist and she told me all the muscles

surrounding the knee were very weak and knotted. After 3 treatments I was

walking. I then asked her if she could come up with a miracle for my right

ankle. My ortho had told me, surgery was the only cure. Because of my last

experience in the hospital I am scared to death to face another surgery. I am

the most skeptical person but when my massage therapist suggested a combination

of massage and acupuncture I said go ahead. This is hard to believe but after

my session last Tuesday(she only used one needle) I am walking without a cane.

I am going back in two weeks for another treatment. I still have a very painful

ankle but at least it is bearable pain. I have gone from 6-8 oxycontin per day

to 4. I am also doing daily exercises to build up muscle strength. I would

never have believed that loss of muscle strength would have caused so much pain

that I could not walk.

Hugs

June

[ ] I am new and would like feedback on safe exercises for

RA.

Hi...My rheumy and my bariatric surgeon are encouraging me to go to " Curves " -

it is an exercise program for women. I have been walking, but they feel I will

gain more strength and muscle from a program like Curves. I did visit Curves 2

years ago, and liked it. So, I am planning to start this program next week. I

am still fibro flaring, but there isn't much swelling in my joints, so I feel ok

about starting. Here is their website just for info.

www.curvesinternational.com<http://www.curvesinternational.com/>

Hugs of hope...

Tess in Oregon

[Guest guest]

Tess, Curves is very popular here in Toronto. I personally know several people

that go on a regular basis and love it. Loss of muscle for us is a very big

problem. After me seeing three specialists and going through every test

imaginable they still could not figure out why I couldn't walk. As a last

resort I went back to my massage therapist and she told me all the muscles

surrounding the knee were very weak and knotted. After 3 treatments I was

walking. I then asked her if she could come up with a miracle for my right

ankle. My ortho had told me, surgery was the only cure. Because of my last

experience in the hospital I am scared to death to face another surgery. I am

the most skeptical person but when my massage therapist suggested a combination

of massage and acupuncture I said go ahead. This is hard to believe but after

my session last Tuesday(she only used one needle) I am walking without a cane.

I am going back in two weeks for another treatment. I still have a very painful

ankle but at least it is bearable pain. I have gone from 6-8 oxycontin per day

to 4. I am also doing daily exercises to build up muscle strength. I would

never have believed that loss of muscle strength would have caused so much pain

that I could not walk.

Hugs

June

[ ] I am new and would like feedback on safe exercises for

RA.

Hi...My rheumy and my bariatric surgeon are encouraging me to go to " Curves " -

it is an exercise program for women. I have been walking, but they feel I will

gain more strength and muscle from a program like Curves. I did visit Curves 2

years ago, and liked it. So, I am planning to start this program next week. I

am still fibro flaring, but there isn't much swelling in my joints, so I feel ok

about starting. Here is their website just for info.

www.curvesinternational.com<http://www.curvesinternational.com/>

Hugs of hope...

Tess in Oregon