I can WALK !!!!

Yes! I can!! It has been 5 years since I got RA and for four of those, my right knee has been swollen to like thrice its original size and PAINFUL! I could not take one step without cursing my life. Doctors had told me I will definitely need a knee replacement in a couple of years from now. But now I can walk - almost as good as a normal person!!! What do I attribute it to? Exercise - physical and breathing exercises. Yes, medication helps and is very important, but I would say exercise is critical!

What I have noticed is that not many people here have talked about exercise. I would like to stress on that. Especially for people who are just starting with RA and still have most joints functioning. I keep thinking now that if only my first doctor had told me that RA can become so debilitating and keeping my joints moving in spite of the pain is the only way to have at least a some-what- normal life, may be I would not have lost as many joints to this as I have.

There are simple things we HAVE to do like -

1) For stiff and painful fingers and wrists - put your hands in a big bowl of warm water and make a fist and release till you've reduced the pain, rotate your wrists in the water - it helps!

2) For swollen painful knees, roll a towel and put it under your knee, lie down, press down on the towel, hold it for 5 - 10 counts, release. Repeat this some 10 times - This is what gave me my knee back! I swear by it.

3) For painful shoulders, roll a towel and press it between your sides and your arm - hold for 5-10 counts and relax, repeat 10 times - it will help strengthen your arms, reduce swelling and pain in your shoulders.

There are many more exercises you can do at home by yourself. But, if you can, go to a good physiotherapist for at least a month and they will teach you exercises that are needed for your particular case.

But, what helped me even more are Yoga and the breathing techniques there. I would like to share two simple breathing techniques that will help relieve a lot of pain if practiced regularly.

1)  Sit straight, your back firm but not rigid. Hands on your knees. Sit comfortably. Inhale slowly and exhale sharp and fast, like you are throwing out the breath. When you inhale, your chest should expand to full capacity and when you exhale, it should contract. Both inhalation and exhalation should be through the nose only. Do this for about 10 mins, take small breaks in between if you need it.

2) Contract your abdomen and exhale forcefully through the nose. Relax the abdomen and the air will come in automatically.  So, you actively exhale, the inhalation is automatic. Don't do this too fast. Do it for 10 mins, take breaks in between if you think you need it.

Keep your eyes closed and your body relaxed. After these two breathing cycles, just lie down straight on your back and relax and observe your body.

Well, I have shared what has immensely helped me. Let me know if you could do this and how it made you feel. If anyone is interested, I can give info on more breathing techniques which really do help. I was skeptical too till I decided to give it an honest shot!