How do you know when to stop

succotash

Exercising that it.....

The physio man said to exercise lots, special exercises for my legs to strengthen my knees but also swimming and cycling for cardio and muscle strength.
Oh and walking as and when I could.

Now then today I thought I would go swimming.
I managed 2 lengths, some water walking and tried to do my leg exercises in the water. Not too strenuous but then suddenly my knees wouldnt let me do any more. When ever I tried to move it felt like red hot pokers were penetrating my knee joints.
My knees are like balloons again tonight and movement is painful.

~so my question is do I carry on through the pain cos its good for my muscles and wether I do a lot or a little it seems to be just as painful. or do I stop at the point it starts to hurt?~

I am going to phone the physio tomorrow but wondered what you all do.

I am so new to all of this and am feeling extremely frustrated!

tjt6768

just my opinion hun but if it's that painful I think you've overdone it.
To me, aching is fine and a good sign but pain ain't.
Let us know how things go?

succotash

Thank you for your reply Tony,

I figured I had over done it.

I am feeling frustrated, only last summer I was swimming 20 lengths a day on holiday and now I feel the pain after 2 lengths! :?
It does leave me feeling miserable.

applerose

I've been wondering about this too. I've been told to exercise but it is painful. My rheumie said to exercise whenever I can but not to if I don't feel up to it. Well I never feel up to it.

tjt6768

I do know how frustrating it can be mi dear....
I'm on holiday at the mo and would love to be able to go for wonderful walks with the missus and family. Even with the crutches it's impossible.. My hands are pretty painful at three minute so that doesn't help. I've doped myself up each day and left the crutches at the hotel, done what I could, plus a teeny bit more :? lol
I'm paying for it each night, but we are only here till early saturday morning and I'll recover at home...
It's a bugger though eh?

We learn to adapt though.. Us arthurites are good at that.

tjt6768

I hear ya.. I'm lucky at the minute as I had a steroid injection a couple of weeks ago and out is helping but I know I'm doing too much and will pay later. It's not an easy thing to balance..

applerose wrote:

I've been wondering about this too. I've been told to exercise but it is painful. My rheumie said to exercise whenever I can but not to if I don't feel up to it. Well I never feel up to it.

lindalegs

I was always told by my physio that if it hurts for over half an hour after exercise then you've overdone it.

Exercise is good but it can sometimes inflame joints if you do too much. Try doing less next time and then building up a bit more each session.

I'm sure your physio will give the best advice.

Luv,

succotash

gosh lindalegs.

painful for half an hour afterwards.
I am still in pain at 11pm and my swim was at 3pm....
I am having pain whilst resting too.

This really is pants!

however a good excuse to sit and read my book and do nowt!

lindalegs

You'll probably feel easier after a night's rest.

It might be a good idea just to start with the exercises in the pool next time before you try to swim as this will probably help free up your stiff joints. The trouble is that with swimming strokes they put the joint through an extensive range of movement and this could be where you've pushed them too far.

Warming up with the gentle exercise first will give you a good idea of how your joints will be before you try to swim.

Anyhow in the meantime enjoy your rest and read.

.................and you're right it is pants, in fact it's really big knickers some days!

Luv,

7worlds

Hi Herestinker. Iused to run 30 odd miles a week and run half marathons. Then RA darkened my door and now its not happening. However, when i can i go for an easy jog for a few miles the odd time,i try to cycle the two miles into work and i walk when i can. Sometimes i feel great afterwards and sometimes i dont but i now know my limits and am lucky enough to still have the mobility to at least try. Refusing to give it up completely is also my way of telling arthur where to go. I really believe that in the long run it has actually helped me deal with the pain.before i started any type of exercise i would take some painkillers. That would really help.Iknow sometimes exercise is a complete no no as it is for me sometimes, but i do believe every little bit helps.

7worlds

hileena111

Hi
My physio said something slightly different.....if you are still in pain 2 hrs afterwards....then you've overdone it and to leave it for a while.
A bit long than legs but the same principle......dont work through the pain.
Give it a rest, for a while or stopp certain ones altogether........just go into the water and warm up and leave it at that to start with ....then progress
Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

Re. swimming, I was told not to do breast stroke as that is too strenuous on the knees. As I can't do any other stroke that was me stymied! With walking, housework, doing the ironing, whatever the activity, I always stop when I think I can do more. DD

succotash

Yes I can only do breast stroke.

In all honesty I dont like swimming, I only ever do it because its good for you. 2 lengths is very little for me really.
I used to do 20 and think nothing of it. I also used to walk 4 or 5 miles a day with my dogs, thats not happening these days either. I can walk a little bit before it hurts but no way can I have 2 big labs pulling me along.

I am determined to keep active as much as I can but seem to keep setting my self back by doing too much :?

fowls48

Hi DD


Have you tried just flapping your legs instead of doing the froggy bit .

Herestinker you poor love , i would try to do a little bit of each and then when you feel able to and gradually do a bit more .



take care karen xx

fowls48

tjt6768 wrote:

just my opinion hun but if it's that painful I think you've overdone it.
To me, aching is fine and a good sign but pain ain't.
Let us know how things go?

Hi Tony is there a jacuzzi in your hotel ?they are supposed to be good for aches and pains .

stickywicket

Exercise is very important but knowing your current limits is vital. I think you're still trying to be the physical person you used to be but that will only make things worse. It may be that you will be able to build up to the levels you've set yourself and I hope so but that might not happen.

To give it your best shot you must start gently and build up slowly, listen to your body and take into account what it's saying at any given time. Some days you might have to take a step backwards (as it were :roll: ) but that's not giving in: that's just being realistic so that you can carry on. You clearly have a lot of determination so use it to get things right and keep them right by being flexible in your exercise plans. Trying to just push on regardless would be counterproductive.

succotash

Thank you everyone.

Some good advice but more than that someone who listens and understands is worth so much to me
xx

merri

Ouch, that sounds painful!

The Pain Management course I went on suggested that you do an activity until it starts to hurt, make a note of what you have done (e.g swimming for 4 lengths and water walking for 2) and halve it. This becomes your baseline and every week you add a little bit more, depending on what your body can handle, e.g you might add an extra half a length and 30 seconds more water walking. This strategy really worked for me, I went from being totally housebound to being back at work (though I still can't dress myself or wash my hair, luckily I don't have to bend, raise my arms or do any of the myriad of movements that I struggle with at work . Thank heavens!)

stickywicket

That sounds like a very good plan, merri. It makes so much sense. Thanks.

Harlansmummy

I used to be very active, coaching judo, rock climbing, walking miles. These days I can't walk much at all. I'm still learning to pace myself...

On Monday I climbed a very steep, uneven hill on crutches to watch a beacon being lit and today is the first day since that I haven't spent in bed. Oops. So I know how easy it is to overdo it, especially if you used to be very active!

My physio said to stick to Pilates and swimming, but I've gotten out of the habit of going.

suncatcher

Sometimes the body plays tricks and you dont feel it till it is too late. I know my limits but sometimes my body needs more rest than others i have busy days and quiet my body works better. I have rest periods in the day i stick to as best i can.
Sometimes i miss the regular time as i have gone out on appointments or friends but i find it will catch up with me.
I don't work now only volunteer. I could very much understand how rest can be impossible if you were working. I don't know how people manage they must be in so much pain. I think it is about knowing your limits trial and error listening to your body. I wish you well in finding the balance for you. as it is individual good luck joanne

succotash

suncatcher,
I also do voluntary work but had always intended to go back to paid work once the children were less dependent.
This is fine at the moment because if I cant manage to do a day then I am under no obligation.
I am now wondering if I will manage to work or if I do I would have to do a different job to what I once did.

valval

i just wish that i knew what my limits are i nearly always go to far and hurt for days if i got some warning it would be a great help but it not till swelling starts that i know i have done it again and grab the ice and pain meds but cut down what you did and build up slow val

succotash

Valval

my problem is I am working out my limits. I have really cut down activity recently after a big flare up. I am struggling to cut down as I have a young family and want to keep up with them like I always have done.

Today has been better, I have done the gentle exercises that I have been told to do and had a little walk out.

phew this is tough

vwkamper

Hi,

When i'm feeling fit (not often) i walk up and down my stairs,
especially if i can't get up the shop.

Jogging haven't done that in donkey's years.

Chasing my grandchildren is my max these days and that believe me is brief.

Lexy.