OK, I feel like an idiot. The minute I say I am feeling good, literaly things start acting up again. I think I am cursing myself or do not quite understand yet the unpredictable nature of RA. I am only on week 7 of my methotrexate, not working yet I guess. Anyway, My knees are inflammed again and warm to touch. I also have pain in my toes and hands. Is it safe to exercise??? I would love to take a stroll in the park, although I have some pain I do not want to aggravate my joints. What should I do? I do not want to be a couch potato anymore!, Thanks, PamelaO
Q: Inflammation and exercise?
Answers (4)
5/ 8/09 7:36am
First, ask your dr. What they think is best. If you feel like you can go for a stroll go from a stroll. I've realized that sitting around waiting to feel better just makes you stiffer. My dr always says if its what you think you need than do it. He's very big on execise so joints to stiffen right up. As long as you tell your dr that you feel that you can he will probably tell you that that is whats best.
5/ 8/09 8:22am
I've done a lot of reading and most opinions concur- exercise is good! I went to Las Vegas in early April, before I was diagnosed with RA, and did a lot of walking. At first I was so sore. But after a couple days I really loosened up and the walking felt great!
5/ 9/09 2:20pm
Hi Pamela,
I've felt that way before... like one day I'll be feeling "normal" and almost to where I was before the RA started then whamm-o! It sure can be unpredictable. Are you just on the Metho? As for exercising, my Rheum. told me how important it is to exercise when you're not flaring and your joints aren't inflammed real bad. I've read that in the past they used to say "don't exercise if you have RA, etc..." and now they are finding out it's really important to do so. See what your doctor recommends for your situation. I've been told that water aerobics or warm water physical therapy (light) is very beneficial for people with joint diseases. Best of luck to you! :)
5/10/09 5:34am
Jenny, I am on prednisone 5mg daily alone with celebrex 200mg( was recently taken off mobic due to stomach problems). I am very happy to hear all of the responses about RA and exercise. This sheds new light on a dime life. In the beginning of my dx, I was so positive and strong willed to fight this disease. I guess over the past several months it has unknowingly got the best of me. Now that I am hearing more and more RA sufferers exercising regularly, I feel a little normalcy creeping up. Even though it may hurt a little, as it did prior to my dx, it is good for me. Of coarse I will check with my dr. first. YEAH Best of luck to you as well!, PamelaO
5/ 9/09 7:04pm
Hi Pamela,
Good question, I wonder the same thing at times! I think we should still try to go for that walk, or for me, I'll go on my glider in my bedroom. The key is to do as much as you can. If you are walking and start to hurt too much, it's time to rest, and that's ok. So I say keep trying, even if we are hurting! Of course, only we know how we feel, so if it's a really bad flare, it may be best to rest and ice up.
Good luck! Let us know what you decided. 
5/10/09 5:40am
Dark Star, Hope, Jenny & Sunshinegal have some pretty consistant advise for both of us. I have just began a gentle yoga program I do from home in the am for about 20 min. x 3 days. I haven't began walking yet but I will start this week. Last summer, I was in remission and would walk 2 miles per day. It felt great. No pain until around October. It just started, you know how that works. Take care & best of luck, PamelaO
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Hope, thanks for the advise. I will talk to my dr. soon but what you say makes a lot of sense. When I first saw my dr. during my initial flare he advised me against doing anything for a while. My next visit he advised me to start stretching. I have put that off on my own. I guess I was not ready physically yet. Or emotionally? Acceptance if this disease and knowing it is not going away takes time, therefore causing a bit of depression I guess. Now that I know I will always have these joint problems & fatigue I guess I have to start facing them. They are here to stay. Thaks again Hope, PamelaO.