Hi Meriel

I was told that the only exercises I should do are swimming and walking. Knowing how things are with RA and consultants, nurses etc I am sure other people on the forum will have been told many different things. I'd say do what feels ok. If it hurts stop.

Sheila x

I would say no to any exercise which puts stress and/or strain on the joints and I would definitely think running comes into this category. Water based exercises are good because the joints are supported, but in a sport like running your knees, ankles and hips will, at some point in each step become subject to enormous pressure. Have you asked your consultant or rhematology nurse what they recommend? They may say you are fine to continue to run, but I really would check this out in detail first of all. Love to you xxxx

That's a great idea - RA physios are usually very knowledgeable and clued up. Oh - welcome to the forum by the way!! Sorry you have to have crappy RA to join, but you will get (and be able to give) lots of support and encouragement from others who know how you feel! I'm so pleased that you seem to be doing well on your present meds.

I'm Jean, 68, diagnosed about 9 or ten years. I have a very supportive husband, a great family and some very good friends (some of whom I met on here!). We tend to have a forum weekend get-together once a year (about 40 - 50 of us with partners/husbands and offspring!!) We usually manage to laugh for 24 hours!!! Basically, it does help to be a bit mad if you have RA!!!!

Take care

Love Jeanx

Hi

I used to jog, but was told to stop by the Dr after diagnosis as its a high impact exercise and can put too much pressure on joints that are already a bit fed up. Like the others I tend to walk and swim, with a bit of the gym (cross trainer and exercise bike) thrown in. Arthitis Research UK have a section on exercise that may help: http://www.arthritisrese..._and_arthritis.aspx#non

But its always best to ask your dr first.


Sarah

Brilliant to hear, Dawn!

Hi

I did aqua fit things when I was first dx
The thing is- you must stop when the pain comes

I find now doing just dance 2 on the wii is good as I can do it in the chair!

Jenni xx

Dawn - that is fabulous!

I wish that there was better advice like this available as once you stop an activity, its hard as anything to start again.

And I love Just Dance on the Wii - have to remind myself not to go to mad - for the sake of the furniture/ornaments if not my joints.....

I saw my rheumy on Tuesday - she said if I feel up to going running then I should go for it! I Will wait till I've seen a physiotherapist, as they will probably want to look at my running style & give me some advice about the best way to run to protect my joints.

This post has not been commented on for a long while - but I wonder if anyone has any new updates to this.......

I was a kickboxing instructor who did compete at national level. Whilst not kickboxing I could be found cycling, jogging, in the gym or swimming (thats having given up on the scuba diving, rock climbing and parachuting that I used to do in previous years. I was only diagnosed with RA in February this year, but when I talk to the Nurse Specialist or Rheumatology team all they say is that the medication will hopefully allow me to live a "normal" life once more as medication has improved so drastically over the last few years. Exercise is MY normal life - so is it realistic to think I may one day return to instructing/training?
Tina

Hi Tina

I wouldn't say your return to Kickboxing is necessarily out of the question. A lot will depend on your level of active disease, your response to treatment and whether you have already incurred long term damage and if so to which joints. As Julia says we are all individual and respond so differently to Rheumatoid. Huge advances have been made in the last 10-15 years which have greatly improved disease control and provide a more optimistic outcome for the future.

Whilst you have inflammation/pain exercise isn't recommended as this may simply exacerbate the disease processes no matter how careful you are. What is important is that you maintain a level of gentle function that will keep your joints mobile. A physio assessment, if you haven't already had one, will help with this and point you in the right direction. It's hard to give up the exercise which is so much a part of your life, I know, been there done that and still find it immensely difficult even after 24 years! But, life changes, it's not easy but there are opportunities out there and a change of direction is sometimes not a bad thing.

I understand exactly how you feel right now and it isn't good. Stay strong and positive, learning about the disease and your own limitations will put you in a much better place. Things could be a whole lot worse ... believe me!!

Lyn x