Advice

rmackenzie

Hi, I was hoping to get some advice of people, I have only just joined the web site. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with arthritis while in my mid 20's. I have struggled over the past 5 years as most advice seems aimed at people who are older. I hugely miss exercise, I used to run, play football swim, fence and go hill walking almost every week. In the past 5 years I have done nothing. I have been along to a couple of support groups but felt very out of place as I was considerably younger than every one there (I was the only one still in employment). I struggle as I have 2 young kids, a career and all that goes with that. I wanted to post as I have struggled with exercise and life style and also to see if there were other suffers in a similar position and how they deal with it. Sorry if this sounds a bit of a moan, it’s been a long 5 years of feeling very isolated and alone in this and I appreciate any help people can give.

vonski

Hi

Welcome to the forum. First don't worry if you feel like you're moaning, we all do it

Coping with younsters and arthritis is hard but I'm sure you will find a way to cope. the exercise part, swimming is really good for arthritis and cycling if you like that, non weight bearing so much easier on your joints. If you go to a good gym and talk to the instructor they will be able to tell you which machines you will be able to use. Only thing is you have to do it in moderation or pay for it later. It's hard but not the end of the world although on bad days it might feel like it :roll:

If you have any questions try chatting to the help team they are very good.

Hope everything settles down soon.

Love
Vonski x

frogmorton

Hi Macenzie
Welcome from me.
This is definitely the place for you if you are feeling isolated!!
Arthritis does tend to do that and I have heard that a lot of the groups are largely filled with people who are 'older'. The only problem with this is the fact that they are at different life stages to those who still work and have young children.
Lots of the other problems, pain los of mobility etc are the same, but the demands of young children are enormous and there are lots of young parents on here too.
I was lucky as my youngest was ten when this struck, but you wait and see. They'll all get back to you and you can look through the old posts to see some suggestions made by others in similar situations.
I hope we can help you
Take care
Toni xx

hezmarie25

Hi
I just wanted to say hello and welcome you. Which type of arthur do you have?
Everyone is lovely on here and you will find lots of useful tips and info.
Take care and have a nice day. xx

joanlawson

Hi Mackenzie
Welcome to the site. I sympathise with you enormously. I remember how much energy I needed when my children were young, so it must be very difficult for you having arthritis.

Have you tried posting on the Young People's forum, as there might be people on there in a similar position to you who could give you support and advice.

Joan

woodbon

Hi, Welcome to the forum! This is the place we all moan, :roll: so dont worry. I am almost 54, but I have worked since school until 6 months ago, when I was signed off and now I'm being retired early. I have OA and I miss all the walking we used to do.

You'll find that their are a lot of people your age with the same sort of problems on here. I often wonder how you girls with small children cope. I think I'd find it really hard and never stop moaning! I'm sure you'r doing a great job just getting by, but exercise is good for you. I went on a GP referral programme at our local gym and although it made me tired, at first the 'feel good' hormones kicked in and it was great. Do you have anything like that near you? It was people of all ages and different conditions with 2 medically trained trainers. Just a thought.
Anyway, welcome and I hope you find the forum useful.

Love Sue

lindalegs

Hi Mackenzie and welcome aboard,

I contracted RA when I was 27 after the birth of my second son and have had it now for 23 years, so I may not be the same age as you but I sure as hell know what you're going through :shock:

I shunned all arthritis groups when my sons were small and joined a computer class, art class, NWR (not all at the same time!) and my friends are/were just other Mums with children a similar age.

I wish I had, had a site like this especially in my early days when there was so much I needed to know and I felt so arthritically alone - I know, I could have joined the arthritis groups but like you (and others) I just felt too young and that RA had robbed me of my life anyway and I wasn't going to let it take over completely.

Believe it or not your children will make you cope as to them you're just Mum and they'll just expect you to be like other Mums - it is so difficult, I know, but try to remember that you're a person and not a disease. Instead of grieving for the sporty life you had find something to do that interests you and is within your capabilities and the limited time set aside for 'you'.

Hope thiis helps.

Luv Legs

sunpainter

Hi...

I'm realising that hill walking and stuff is really behind me now, and had to go thro a sort of greiving process for my sporty self. Even before my RA started, I was becoming much less sporty... having kids limits the choices you make.

In fact now I find the most excercise I get is in my garden and allotment. Not too much walking, but moving and being busy in the fresh air. Which does make me feel better for it.

The other thing that really helps me, is that I belong to a choir. And although you might not think of it as excercise, really gets you breathing. Even when I feel really tired and in pain, I make myself go to choir because I feel so much better afterwards. I belong to a natural voice choir, and we learn things by ear mostly (not too much music reading!... but getting better at the too incidentally). It is great to get out and forget home hassles, and is allways a laugh. Nobody minds if I sing sitting down, there is no pressure to be the greatest singer in the world, and there is a great mix of ages. I can't recommend it highly enough.

hope this helps, you sound like you could do with something else to think about, other then arthritis and kids... I know I do.... it keeps me sane.

Ray x (43 and mum of 2)

debatat

Hi

I am unable to give you advice re exercise I am afraid as I still struggle with that one myself. I went from bike riding for miles and playing footie in the park with my children to being unable to climb stairs very quickly. I know how difficult I found it and I was in my early thirties at the time. You are even younger so it must be doubly hard. The only thing I can advise is that gps do offer exercise on prescription where you can go to a gym and be helped to fitness under a qualified instructor. Hope that things improve for you.

Deb

eckstardeluxe

Hi, welcome to the Forum. Don't ever worry about coming on here and being seen as a moaner, we all have days where we just need to vent and what's great about here is the people want to genuinely help you. I'm in a similar situation, married, two kids under 3 and trying to live as best a life I can. I continue to work but it's difficult at times.

From my experience I've found when you set yourself goals which are maybe too high you get more upset when you struggle to achieve them. I find the hardest thing is having to learn to slow down and listen to my body and everyday brings constant reminders of what I can't do. As scottishlass said, you realise some things are behind you.

I recently started a project for my daughter renovating barbie furniture, it's something I can do as sit down to do it and it keeps my mind occupied. It's something I always thought about doing and would probably never have done before as I was never the type to sit still for more than five minutes. Now i've completed a retro diner and people have been saying I should start selling things. It may sound silly to some but it has given me a really positive outlook on things. If it were not for the people on here giving me tips and support I don't know what I'd be like. Take care, x

lindalegs

What Eckstar says is true I didn't know I had a talent for water colour painting till I had RA ............. positive can come from negative and it's sometimes better to find other things you can be good at rather than trying to continue with what you used to do.

Luv Legs

lynnemarie

Hiya

i am 32 and have been diagnosed just over a year, however have had it for over 10 years but only started getting worse about 2 years ago, now on meds and feel it is under control!

I also work (part time) and have 2 young children i like you, used to love exersize and keeping trim, however life changes doesnt it, it is hard at first to come to terms with it, however i find i can adapt my life to fit around it rather that letting it win, like someone else said swimming is great, my consultant doesnt want me doing anything that will cause more damage to my joints, however walking is fine, i have also recently purchased a cross trainer as it supports your weight and is quite fun to do in front of the tv!, also cycling is ok and you could do it with the children!!

i felt exactly like you do at first, however you need to remain positive for your own sanity and your childrens!.

I find this site great support especially when things arent going so great!, use it they all have great advice!

so keep smiling and think of the things you can do, rather than the things you cant!!!

page35

hi sorry have no excercise advide, but have two children 13yr old and a nearly 2yr old and work part time in a playgroup, i am 33. ive only just been diagnosed with RA. I also feel isolated but people on here have sent me some very kind messages. what kind of arthur do you have?
best wishes

rmackenzie

thanks for all of this, it was good reading the comments and seeing maybe not so alone,