Arthritis sucks! Does anybody want to 2nd my motion?
In recent months, I’ve heard chatter within my circle, about the importance of exercising and taking care of ourselves because we’re approaching the age where health concerns become real. Hearing family and friends discuss cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and fatty livers, made me realize, I’m not exempt and have a responsibility to take care of myself.
Knowing my body, limitations and capabilities, I came up with a walking plan to get myself into better shape with the hopes of avoiding future problems with my general health.
The first two days were relatively easy and while I felt I’d actually made progress, I didn’t feel as though I was challenging myself physically. On the third day, I slightly bumped it up a notch (extreme emphasis on the word, slightly). Increasing my speed just a little, for a short period of time, gave me a greater sense of accomplishment and the feeling of a better workout. Stepping off of the treadmill, I felt great, as if I’d ran and won a marathon (against snails mind you, but nevertheless, I did it!). Feeling good about myself, I walked away from the treadmill, humming the Rocky theme song.
As the day went on, I began to feel a strain in my hip. Later that evening, I held my hip in order to support each step. By bedtime, I was approaching agony and slept with the help of sleep aides and ice packs. When I awoke the following morning and attempted to take my first steps, it was obvious I was under attack!
My first thought was to fight back. I told myself I was going back on the treadmill no matter what because if I worked through the pain, I’d be better off. But an hour later, I realized I was in more danger stepping on the belt and decided to play it smart. It’s been five days and I’m still not able to walk upright at a normal pace.
What makes me mad is, I expected some pain, but not the devil’s grip on my hip! Not to the point of immobility for days and elimination from a very simple exercise plan to boost my cardio.
To say arthritis interferes with every aspect of my life is an understatement! As a veteran of this disease, for the most part, I’m used to it. I can handle the daily interference and the interrupted plans. My anger rises when I feel like I’ve been blindsided by the villain. Arthur took a cheap shot and once again, I’m on the receiving end.
I do everything right, play by the rules, consider my challenges then without warning and for no apparent reason, the bully strikes and takes away from me just because it can!
I am making an effort to control health issues that have nothing to do with arthritis, but I can’t (yes, I know overall health is related, but that’s not my point). I’m not exercising because of kicks and giggles. I did it because it’s necessary to improve my health and well-being. When we have the chance to avoid future problems or reverse them, we should. But how do we go about it and stay motivated when we know the villain is lurking and waiting to attack?
Referring back to my initial question, can I get a 2nd?
I was diagnosed back in 1994 with RA and started whirring through all the treatment regimens, one at a time. I finally ended up on the "big guns" of the time: MTX, NSAID, plaquenil, azulfidene, and prednisone. Even this stopped working. In 1998 I was unable to walk or use my hands for much at all and ended up on permanent disability at age 42.
Then Enbrel came out, but I feared the strong warnings and side effects. I dallied with gold injections (ha!), worthless.
Finally I started on Enbrel with encouragement from my rheumatologist. It proved to be the miracle I was seeking. I was getting a life back! I started in water aerobics first in a rehab unit, then out with the regular people in a school pool nearby. I added gentle Iyengar yoga and (slowly) got back range of motion the rheumatologist's thought impossible! I had 9 years of increasing function and some of the damage actually repaired itself! I could work up a sweat in the garden, but I always balanced the tightrope you talk of- too much and you pay. But I got away with a lot more.
Three years ago I even started at a gym on an elliptical and lost the prednisone weight I'd been carrying and started to get really fit- for the reasons you stated- heart health and so on. I could hike in the woods! Special friends arranged a 27 mile backpacking trip just for me, making sure my pack wasn't too heavy. It was heaven to be able to do it.!
My frustration with RA and the meds is this:
I finally had things in control (I thought)then this last summer I started having trouble breathing- all the docs though asthma, but it was really a mediastinum (between the lungs and around the heart and bronchi) full of cancer-the Non Hodgkins Lymphoma we hear of as a theoretical risk from the biologics. I was in shock!
Now I'm on chemo, bald, but doing really pretty well, considering. Its looking like a very early remission is in my future. But what about my RA? The Rituxan in the chemo is supposed to help RA, but right now I have quite a bit of bone joint and muscle pain just from the treatment itself, and the fatigue is incredible. Guess we'll see how it all shakes out.
Basically, I'm scared and feeling alone. I don't know anyone this has happened to. I worry how many it will happen to and who is keeping track of these adverse events? I understood fully the risks and I'd probably do it the same again- Enbrel was such a miracle for me physically.
RA is definitely a difficult disease. Cancer is even harder. Just like RA, NHL doesn't get "cured", the oncologists tell me, we hope for "control"; it usually returns. That in itself is scary. I KNOW the RA returns, how will I handle both?
I heartily second the notion that RA is a terrible disease, but I encourage you to keep trying everything you can exercise-wise, and assemble the bits and pieces that work for you to find the right mix.
I guess I start over again, too, once chemo is done and I see where I'm at.
Yes, RA is a bad disease. We all need encouragement.
Susan, 53
I can ride my stationary bike for about 5 minutes at a slow to medium speed. Everytime I try to increase the time or the speed it throws me into a flare. I may be able to get up to 6 or 7 minutes for a day or two but then, BAM. It hits me.
Then I have to start over and work back up to the 5 minutes. Makes me crazy! One step forward, two steps back.
I just want to increase my strength and endurance. Increase my heart rate a little. Build a little muscle. I'm not asking for walk-a-thons and aerobics, those are a thing of the past. Like you said, I'm just trying to do the right thing for my body.
Yesterday , I actually had to cut of a button from my pants so i could use the restroom . this is affecting my life in every way.
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