Since my diagnosis, one of the more difficult challenges for me is what to do about exercise. I was never a big fan of the concept even before my diagnosis. I used to say things like, "The only reason I run is when someone is chasing me." or "I don't believe in sweating voluntarily". Cute, huh? I sometimes think my old attitudes about diet and exercise really came from a stubborn refusal to grow up. After all, when I was a kid I never had to think about all that stuff and I am still rather proud that despite being 40 I remain incredibly immature!
A few years back however, I had to come to terms with where my maverick ideas had landed me. I had become very tired, very out of breath, and very overweight. Treating my body like it was still a kid left me feeling prematurely ....old. After a great deal of effort over several years I had finally managed to get my kid body back by treating it like a grown up. Ironic, no? I did yoga, took the stairs, went for walks, and discovered that the more exercise you do the more you come to enjoy just being active. I found myself playing tennis with the kids, swimming, kicking a soccer ball around. Two summers back we also bought new bikes for the whole family in addition to a canoe and kayak. We even used them! A lot! Things were going along just great until... **screech! **
The Summer that Wasn't
On May 1, 2008 I got "the call" from the rheumatologist. I still refer to last summer as the summer that wasn't. The bikes got dusty, the canoe stayed dry, and the couch was almost continuously occupied. I did do my research though. I got some good books to read about rheumatoid arthritis. What else was I going to do when stuck to the sofa? Funny thing was those books kept telling me to do the exact opposite of what I felt like doing. I was sore and tired and more than just a little bummed out. Why the heck would I want to EXERCISE??! Sheeeez!!
It turns out there are LOTS of reasons. First off, here is the cycle you set up when you don't exercise. You have pain so you start guarding that joint or limb. You don't want to exercise. Your muscles gradually become smaller and weaker. Weaker muscles are less able to properly support and protect the already painful joint. You begin to have less stamina and daily activities become more difficult. You become more easily fatigued and stress increases. You may even become depressed. This can increase sensitivity to pain which starts the whole cycle over again. Exercise is one of your best and most effective tools to escape from this downward spiral. It really can become a "use it or lose it" proposition. This is why exercise is even more important for those of us with RA.
Even if you have never been committed to exercise before, you need to be now.
Before you start anything new however, you may want to discuss your plans with your rheumatologist or physical therapist. They will be able to suggest what you need to work on and the best ways to protect your joints. Then set a realistic goal. If you set your sights too high you may quit altogether out of frustration. Try to establish a routine and stay in the habit. Even if you are having an off day, try to do something. Simple stretching and range of motion exercises are very helpful and perfect when you feel unable to do anything more taxing.
I finally went outside and rode around for 10 minutes. I hated the bike seat, went looking for a better one, ended up with a new bike - low bar so I couldn't fall or trip on it. I worked up to an hour a day 6 days a week, 40 lb weights on the universal. I am in better shape than all my friends who aren't sick. I fell once really badly, hurt my knee and foot. The orthopedic surgeon said, that the best thing I could do was ride long and hard (as long as there was no sharp pain) because the stronger the muscle, the more support for the joint. My foot was another story. I am just recovering from major reconstructive surgery from the accident, and RA damage. I miss riding so much it hurts - I love the endorphins you get from exercising, and was able to get off all my anti-depressants. I am still doing upper body weights, and leg lifts etc. but I am facing the fact it will be along time before I can ride. My ankle is immobile because of the cast, so it is going to require a lot of physio. But I am hopeful.
Besides, my hubby just developed diabetes, and is biting the bullet and learning to exercise. Exercise is also preventative for heart disease etc., etc. God made our bodies to work, to exercise - and that is what works for me.
I urge everyone to get the meds to get the flares under control, and then start slowly and you will be surprised. You may even find, like me, you get your life back.
Dang Angela, you should have written this post! That is truly outstanding. You've really learned the benefit of keepin' on keeping on. Good for you! I really appreciate hearing stories like these because we all have times of feeling uninspired. You really demonstrate that despite obstacles we still have a choice to either give up or to do something, anything towards making our lives better. Just thank you. Really....wow!
See how many times I said "really" in my response? Or didn't you really notice. I should really keep an eye on that. I was just so really inspired. Ugh...I'm such a dork.
Thanks so much for your reply. I am new to this website, it is nice to actually hear a response. I have to travel 6 hours to see my surgeon tomorrow, because something is wrong with my foot surgery. Having a pity party, I guess, no feeling in my 3rd toe. Wishing I hadn't had the surgery, knowing I had to. Lose/lose. Maybe everything will be okay, that would really help - just a swollen or pitched nerve cutting off sensation. 8 days till pins out. I am not stopping - exercising in bed - got out the heavier leg weights and free weights. Just have to trust that God will work this out for good, I guess. Seriously - really is really okay. Better to use the adverb, anyway! Real good drives me crazy - adverb describes an adverb, not an adjective. So, you are really right! LOL
That's REALLY nice of you. Oh and by the way, "real good" isn't allowed in my house. I'm a grammer cop so when the kids feel like torturing me they LOVE to tell me that "Dad is more funner than you." Ugh! Gets me every time!
Regarding pity parties. We are ALL entitled from time to time. That's part of what this site is all about, so feel free. I've been thinking about your trip to the surgeon today. I sincerely hope you get some good news or at least a positive direction to move in. Write us a post and let us know how it went, k?
Well, I guess I got good news. He says as long as I don't have an infection, fever, and can tolerate the pain (If I have to take the pain killers, then do it), I should be okay. I couldn't figure out what happened. It was going perfectly for three weeks, and then in a couple of minutes it went from tingly to numb. He suggested there might be an RA nodule lodged between the pin and the joint, since I was off my meds for 2 weeks, and was having lots of flares. That would make the most sense. He said I can take one naproxyn, to see if it goes away. Not likely with me - my flares take weeks to subside. Still, it is worth a try, in lieu of a pain killer. 7 days till the pins out. He says that will probably help the most.
Then 2 weeks of healing the holes, and I get to walk, garden and take physio. I am not even counting on biking soon. I can't believe I lost a whole summer of biking. I should have timed this for winter, but he had a space to take me, on one of his rheumatoid patient days, so it was then or never. I had already been to him 5 years earlier, and not had surgery, so I didn't want to pull another fast one. That would have been the wrong timing for me in those days- 22 drugs and 80 lbs overweight. I probably could not have gotten out of bed. At least I am in shape enough to get around. Besides, it is brutal here in winter, so i don't know how I could have gone anywhere with a bare toe, and a wheelchair in the snow. I can't walk on crutches, because my other foot won't balance, among other things. So I push the walker around the house, and ride where ever we go.
Hubby is at his wits end making meals! After one week. I should have done this a long time ago, so he could have learned such skills as cooking, folding sheets (he tried to get out of that one - I told him it was just like folding the big 50' x70' tarps he uses to cover his cars and trailers, but smaller and easier. LOL). He still hasn't figured out how to wash out the bathroom sinks. I tried to hire a housekeeper, but he promised he would do it himself to save the $100 a time. That has not worked at all. I realize now how much tidying and cleaning I do. I guess I should enjoy this time, of ordering him around and getting waited on, before it is over.
I was a teacher before I became disabled, and I am very fussy about grammar. My husband isn't, and the kids took after him. Besides, they want to talk like basketball and football players! (The boys, anyway)
Angie