Running with rheumatoid?

knees2 wrote:

Hi, I'm new to this forum so maybe someone can just post a link to the most relevant thread, but wondered if anyone had more information or definitive answers about continuing exercise with rheumatoid arthritis?

Recently diagnosed with early stage in the knees and warned off high impact sports. Cycling seems to aggravate mild sciatica and I'm sure most people will understand that swimming and walking are no substitutes for running, which I used to enjoy. Thankyou in advance for any advice!

Hi Knees2

You sound like a very dedicated athletic person to me. I think this is a questions for your Rheumatology Consultant. You need to know what the damage is before you can make a decision on what exercise you continue. Perhaps you could ask the Helpline team.

I was told that I couldn't do swimming anymore because it would be strain on a bad hip and it would not help my neck because I have spondylitis aswell as Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which gives you very weak muscles. My Physiotherapist gave me lots of advice. If you have a Physio, perhaps he could help if he is good at his/her job. Again, he/she would need to look at xrays.

Because of my neck problems, I got some xrays done privately (£100) because I couldn't get my gp to agree to me having them done at the time. That was about 10 years ago now. I have since had further xrays on my shoulders and neck, which show OA.

I'm going on a bit, but to answer your query again, the helpline should help, your gp could help and your Rheumy Consultant should help you. For some of my housework and most other jobs, I strap up my wrists and elbows with tubigrip. It looks like I shall have to strap up my knees now as they are becoming painful too.
I am going on a higher strength Methotrexate soon and perhaps eventually this new level of pain will be sorted, who knows.

Good luck with your running. If you wear supports, perhaps it will help you continue.

Joyful

Hi Knees

I have RA and it affects mostly my ankles and knees but quite often my hands and shoulders, depending on the weather, what I've been doing etc etc.

I used to go to step aerobics 3 times a week before I had children then other things got in the way and I freely admit I got more than a little lazy. When I was diagnosed with RA, I was encouraged to exercise, and so I got myself a workout and swim card for our local council run fitness club (only £25 per month) and I now do the following:

- Step aerobics on Tuesday evenings (not on a "bad" RA day but there haven't been that many)
- Pilates on Wednesday evenings (can do this, gently, even on a bad day, I just tell the teacher beforehand and he gives me alternate exercises)
- Swimming with my daughters on Sunday mornings (I go however bad I'm feeling to this and always always always feel better for it)

I was only diagnosed in March this year, but I do feel the benefits of this exercise for all over fitness and will carry on doing this for as long as I am able. I don't think I'll ever give up the pilates and swimming anyway because I love those.

As for running, I would buy some decent trainers and only run on soft ground so as to protect your joints. I find running jars my joints even for short distances (a peril of being a young mum - you have to run after kids sometimes!).

Nx