Flare ups after exercise

jb8187
jb8187 Member Posts: 3
edited 4. Sep 2025, 10:51 in Living with arthritis

Hi everyone,

I have PsA and OA in hips and neck as well as sacroiliitis with the PsA. I wanted to see if others with similar conditions experience flares after exercise. I walk daily with the dog and sometimes walk and jog, I was a runner for many years before the arthritis. I recently did a walk/ run and actually ran for nearly 20 mins or so, which is more than I would normally do (I am trying to do a bit more each day). Whilst running I felt fine but then afterwards I started to feel off, joints aching more, headache, tiredness - kind of flu like. Am still not feeling great today, same type of mild flu like symptoms. I have experienced this before and it seems to come on if I do a bit too much exercise but I mentioned to the GP and rheumatologist previously and they didn't think it was due to the PsA or OA. I really didn't do a lot more than normal but it was more.

I have looked online and generally it seems to be that exercise is a good thing for both OA and PsA. I'd be good to see if anyone else has similar issues.

Many thanks

James

Tagged:

Comments

  • noddingtonpete
    noddingtonpete Moderator Posts: 1,492

    Hello @jb8187 and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

    Exercise is good in that it is a "use it, or lose it" so we need to keep going. Having said that pain and flare-ups are natures way of saying you've done too much, so maybe you need to try and work out what your limits are without having bad effects afterwards. A bit of trial and error perhaps. I would keep mentioning it to your medical specialists, maybe keep a diary to show them.

    I hope you find a balance soon.

    Best wishes

    Peter

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • jb8187
    jb8187 Member Posts: 3

    Thanks for getting back to me Peter. I was surprised at how unwell I left given that I only did a bit more than normal. I have been on naproxen today, I take it very occasionally but it has helped a lot so am guessing the extra bit of exercise caused the reaction and general inflammation. Unfortunately, I am getting to the stage where running may no longer be an option.

  • jb8187
    jb8187 Member Posts: 3

    Found this post from a couple of years ago and seems very similar…

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/57196/psa-exercise-extreme-fatigue-flu-like-after

Categories