Exercise on prescription

Starburst

Has anyone been offered exercise on prescription? I was offered a while ago due to my depression (I have bipolar disorder) but I said no because I could barely walk up the stairs, let alone exercise! This was just before I'd been diagnosed with RA. I'm thinking of going back to my GP and asking. I was very active before RA and I feel lazy and sluggish. Anything that anyone could tell me would be gratefully received. I'm not sure if it's just the gym or includes swimming and maybe classes. My OT said no to the gym but recommended swimming and pilates classes, so it's pointless getting exercise on prescription purely for the gym.

chris7

Hi Princess

I had almost forgotten this but yes I was offered a prescription some time ago mainly for depression before my OA became too much of a problem. I think is was for vouchers for swimming rather than a gym membership. Like you I didn't take it up at the time and am not sure that they would still do them with all the cost cutting now, but if your medical team think it ok it wouldn't hurt to ask your GP. Good luck with it.
take care
Chris

frogmorton

Sounds a great idea so long as you take the advice of the trainers!

Depression is so much associated with long term conditions and pain anyway isn't it?

Love

Toni xx

dorcas

Hi princess

They say getting the right balance between rest and exercise is so important so it might be worth you asking your GP again about it.

Swimming and Pilates for arther is often mentioned on the forum threads.. so it would be good if those were included 'on prescription'.

My local hospital offers a 4 week Pilates 'starter' for arther peeps and I've put my name down...although there is quite a long waiting list.

I used to do Tai Chi and enjoyed that very much; once you've learned the movements it's something you can continue to do with others or on your own.

Hope you find what's right for you I am a bit of a couch potato just now so your post has set me thinking again about exercising. thanks!

Iris x

woodbon

Hi I had Gym sessions with a medical trainer. They were very good and I carried on going to the gym until I had carpel tunnel surgery, which meant that I couldn't do it for a couple of months and of course, the old, old story, I didn't go back into my old routine.

My physio has reccommended palates, the only thing near us is a private studio with physios, which is very good, and works out not too expensive, if you go into a class, which is what I wanted, I had to have an appointment with one of the physios who teaches, to decide what type of work would be best or if it would be too much. I'm in the really bottom of the bottom studio class, waiting for a place. I hope that you get something from your exercise.
Love Sue

skezier

Hi Sophie,

Oh I shall have to look into this and see if they have this kind of thing down here... think it would really help actually. Did you go through your gp to get it offered? Hope your not too bad there and nice to see you. Cris x

speedalong

I think it sounds worth checking out with the GP - you won't know what they offer on prescription until you ask.

Speedy

PS I used to do Tai chi at evening classes Iris, in the summer hols when the official classes stopped the tutor to used to run free sessions in a big local park for anyone who was free to meet up ... it was lovely, once you got over the fact that people were interested and might stop and watch!!

woodbon

Hi, My Physio wrote to my GP and asked her to refer me. They have all sorts of people referred to them, some people in wheelchairs, some who need lifting to get them onto the machines! They never push you, in fact the opposite, they keep an eye on you and stop you if you try to do too much! Some of the women sit on the bikes chatting, they gently point out to them that they need to make the pedles go round for the machine to work!!! Love Sue

hileena111

Hi
In this area its called Healthy life and your GP rec. you for the gym...you got through an induction course and there are certain times of certain days that Healthy Life instructors are about to make sure you dont do what you shouldnt be doing{does that make sense ?} because of your particular illness/disability/whatever
There is the gym.....its Mon Wed Fri 2pm until 4pm but then there are helathy Life classes.....all geared towards people with varying degrees of pain. I was told just to stick to the bicycle and stretches and that would be enough exercise for my THR and then see what I was like 6 weeks after my next one.....start all over again
Love
Hileena

Starburst

Massive apologies for not coming back sooner and thanking everyone for the helpful replies. I've been working far more hours and it's been hardcore. Thank you again for all the useful info. I've got a GP appt in a couple of weeks and I'll ask then.

lynnhb

princess01 wrote:

Has anyone been offered exercise on prescription? I was offered a while ago due to my depression (I have bipolar disorder) but I said no because I could barely walk up the stairs, let alone exercise! This was just before I'd been diagnosed with RA. I'm thinking of going back to my GP and asking. I was very active before RA and I feel lazy and sluggish. Anything that anyone could tell me would be gratefully received. I'm not sure if it's just the gym or includes swimming and maybe classes. My OT said no to the gym but recommended swimming and pilates classes, so it's pointless getting exercise on prescription purely for the gym.

Hi, yes I had prescription gym exercise a few years back. It did help me mentally & physically. I am sure your GP would willingly prescribe it again for you. Best wishes, Lynn