Exercise with Fibromyalgia and OA

angie1973

Hi all,

It's been ages since I've been on here. I've been really lucky. I was dreading last winter thinking I would suffer, but actually had a really good winter and not too bad a time this year until these past few weeks and a big flare has kicked in.

My OA always seems to be affected by weather conditions, the damp, cold etc, but I've hit a fibro flare as well I think which is hampering my efforts.

I started doing a walking routing. This started off as half an hour and a route that was fairly easy to do. It took a few weeks to get the pace, right trainers etc, but things improved and I now walk for an hour, a much longer route which includes a good incline as well.

This was going great guns till the last week or so, when now I start off as I always do, and get about 10 minutes into the walk, and my right knee goes to pieces and my left lower leg feels like it's on fire and I start limping.

This sounds silly but if I needed to, in a good spell, I've sprinted and been not bad (I used to be a good runner), but I can't even begin to contemplate that at the moment as the minute I try my knee goes.

I am wondering if I should stop the walks for a bit (even slowing the pace doesn't seem to help), see the doctor or if there is anything you think I could do to help things get better.

I've lost over half a stone, am fitter than ever and really don't want to lose the momentum while I feel so great, but this episode if beginning to take it's toll.

Any tips would be gratefully received.

Thanks all
Ange

stickywicket

Ange, for once, on these forums, I know exactly what I myself would do in your situation. I'd ask friends to recommend a good physio (Well, I wouldn't cos I already know one) - private cos, although our local NHS one is brilliant, it can take too long to see him and you sound like a lady in a hurry.

You're feeling the benefit of your exercise by the sound of it and it does help to keep muscles and ligaments and such stuff in good working order as they support the dodgy joints which slows down damage and helps keep the pain at bay. But, sometimes, we just have to take things a bit easier for a while and let a bit of healing take place even tho' we don't always know where the problem lies.

A good physio will know and tell you just how much you can do and how to work towards getting back to where you were. Good luck.

angie1973

Thanks for the tip, I do appreciate it.

Last time I went to the doctor, he was very condescending. He waffled on (as he also had a student with him) about the benefits of losing weight, and exercise etc.

I knew all this already. I don't mean to sound against him but it was like he took me and anyone else in a similar position as stupid. I had a rough couple of years when this OA really kicked in, I had a mega flare of fibro and for a while I was on a walking stick, and in constant pain. I came out of that fighting, got angry and got exercising and diet, and am losing weight. I work full time, a busy job too, so I'm a positive go getting person, and want to get help to make sure I continue being active. I've got two kids to raise too. I want to be able to have a kick about with them without falling in a heap

So I will go to the GP and ask about physio treatment as you have said, they might be able to give me some decent tips, exercises specific to help strength etc. I love walking (I like swimming too), as it's fresh air, views, mp3 on, my time, so I really want to keep it going as it's helping me lose weight and I feel great for it.

Thanks for the tips, always good to come on here.

stickywicket

I hope he'll help you this time, Angie. I think you're handling this really well and will continue to do so.

Kickabouts? I still have them with my two. They're 40 & 37, going on 13 just like their Mum.

dreamdaisy

Carry on as you are doing but a) do a little less of it b) walk a little more slowly c) don't go quite so far and d) include one or two small inclines if you can to get the cardio-vascular thing going. Speaking as one who is tottering about on two crutches and just came out of Tescos in tears of pain after a mere fifteen minutes in the store I have to say I am hugely envious of what you are able to do, so keep on doing it for the rest of us who can't! DD

angie1973

Dreamdaisy,

I know I've been very lucky. So far, apart from winter before last where I was unable to walk without the use of a stick, I've managed to get active and I know how much I've enjoyed that freedom too. It's taken a while to get to this point, and I would hate to regress and lose it.

I think the pair of you are very wise. A bit less and a doctors view and some physio would be useful. I need to make it clear to him when I go, that I am doing this to get fitter and help keep my joints as mobile as possible, and I'm not her for sympathy, I'm here for help.

A little bit less at a slower pace is probably a blessing. I have a knee support with a paetella support (can't spell it sorry). Not sure if I should be utilising this more or not. I have OA in my left foot big toe, and my right knee is the worse of the two right now, so they are playing off each other which is really making the walking interesting!

I really feel for you being in so much pain and being on your crutches right now. I wouldn't wish arthur and relateds on my worst enemy the way some of us must feel some days (or a lot of days for some of you).

Thanks

dreamdaisy

It's been every day since March 2002 and I reckon will never ditch 'em, even with new knees - the ankles and toes are shot too. I am looking forward to the scooter/wheelchair combo 'cos at least I will then be able to wear ridiculously pretty shoes as I won't be walking! See? There's an upside to everything! Ease up on all you are doing, don't use the supports as they make your muscles lazy, rest as and when you can and I am sure things will improve. Even though walking is good exercise it still is a relatively high-impact affair and won't help the joints long-term, so try to fit in some extra swimming, that is good for all parts. DD

angie1973

Thanks for the tips. Walking is in the list, so at least I'm not attempting something silly

I try and go swimming once a week to compliment the walking. Swimming is wonderful, but you don't get gorgeous sunsets with swimming

I'll try and take it a bit easier since this flare is fully on right now. See if I can just adjust it to be a bit more gentle and less pace.

You are a wonderful bunch, thank you.

angie1973

Oh and by the way, I never did thank you again for the support you gave me when I broke my toe not so long ago either. It was the one next to my big toe. I broke the big one years and years ago which is why it has OA in it now, with my neck, knees and hands.

I know you were all great then, so just saying a quick thank you again. I don't get chance to loiter too much with work, so I appreciate it.

hugs to all.

stickywicket

angie1973 wrote:

Swimming is wonderful, but you don't get gorgeous sunsets with swimming

Hey, it depends where you swim, Angie. Don't think you'll get it on prescription, though.

dreamdaisy

Cycling is another relatively low-impact exercise for the knees, OK so no headphones (if one is sensible and I am sure you are) but you could still get the odd lovely sunset or two! DD

angie1973

Unfortunately, I don't have a bike at the moment (it's on my santa list though), as I used to do a fair old bit of cycling. We have a good set up road wise near us with a bike and walking path, so you can do a fair few miles without having to venture onto the main road.

Something to look into anyway.

Last night was a fairly low impact walk. I did my normal route, lots of inclines involved. My knee was being a pain getting up and down the kerbs because if I don't think about it, I get a sharp pain when I put weight on it and it can buckle and my big toe kept locking up, so you can imagine the funny walk I was doing. It was good to do though, I paced myself slower so it was a bit easier.

Be nice is they could prescribe swimming outside in a heated pool with a sunset, that would be fab!

Hope you are all OK today....

dreamdaisy

The mantra is good leg to heaven, bad leg to hell. When you reach a kerb remind yourself of that and step accordingly. DD

angie1973

Good mantra - will remember that one.....

Hope you are OK this morning DD.

barbara12

Hi Angie
The others have said it all, but I just want to add my support, the walking is good, but make sure you have good trainers that take the impact.
And I do wish you well with everything.