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just diagnosted - exercise question

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/4/2012 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
My neurologist suggested I go see a RA dr.
I was just diagnosed with RA 4 days ago. the RA dr diagnosed me through a physical exam. Felt my fingers and counted and other joins etc... i have not received any results from my blood work. waiting to see the dr for all the test results seems like forever. I have so many questions that at time I didn't think/know to ask. I have asked friends and some dr friends but I get different opinions.
so here is what I'm doing. I do a boot camp three days a week. it consist of repetitions of different exercises. So we do squats, squats while holding weights, push ups, chest passes with weight ball along with slams, mountain climbers, bur-pies, rows, slides, running, jumping jacks, etc... each of these exercises are done in circuits. usually we do an many as we can in 45 to 60 seconds. the reason I am in it is because it happens at a time that is good for me a-n-d it keeps me accountable.
I started the boot camps last summer because I have very mild young onset Parkinson and I knew I needed to work out to keep my body working. Prior to this, I work out my self on machines and tread mill plus stair stepper. I had stopped and just couldn't seem to get motivated to go.

any thought on the boot camp, is it helping my body or not?
guess I should have mentioned how my body feels.
I hurt all over on and off(lately the pain is pretty much all the time unless I am on pain meds) I had thought the pain was due to my PD(Parkinson). I have had some pain on and off pretty much since before I was diagnosed with that Nov 2009. this pain has steadily gotten worse. you need to know I can function just fine. it is just I hurt, my joins hurt, i'm sure you need what I mean.
I am so thankful the pain is not due to progression of my PD. so very thankful!!!
I just now have to get a handle on this 'new' thing i have added to my list of things.
i would appreciate any input.
thanks

(I am very fortunate to be has healthy as I am and have so much support from others. I can do everything I need to do. the pain seems to be controlled by meloxicam. I am in my 40s.)


I also have a very mild seizure disorder (it only happens in my sleep and they are tiny, i went for 8 years without any), restless leg syndrome due to PD. depression due to PD(not because of but one of the side effects of the disease) carpal tunnel which now understand this can be due to RA. The RA dr said he thinks all my conditions are related. I'm just waiting to see.
Posted 3/5/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have reactive arthritis in my lower body and lower impact exercises have def helped me out alot you'll find out what your body is able to handle after a few sessions
Posted 3/5/2012 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
can you tell me a bit about reactive arthritis? is is it the same as RA? I am just learning about all of this.
thanks
Posted 3/5/2012 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Reactive arthritis is brought upon by a bacterial infection and it autoimmune so TNF inhibitors such as methotrexate and humira. Joints fill with fluid and stay that way until the meds are able to stop your immune system from attacking your joints. Ive had fluid in one knee spread to the other and now its going down to my ankles. Im active duty military and i suffer everyday. Ive had this for about 6 months now and im just not starting to feel better
Posted 3/5/2012 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
well, that is the pits! 

I hope the turn around happens this week and the meds start working wonders.

I am just amazed at what we all take for granded.

i'm still trying to wrap my head around and trying to get use to my 'new normal'. is there such a thing? ;)

 

Posted 3/19/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I saw my RA dr today. he said my blood work did not look too terrible. I didn't ask for specifics. I guess I should have. he put me on Methotrexate, follic acid and Vitamin D. MY understanding is I couldn't be put on other common meds due to having a seizure disorder or the seizure meds,(not sure which). I go back in 3 weeks.

any suggestions for taking methotrexate?

thanks,

life isn't always butterflies and rainbows but if we look for wonderful things like these, we might just see the beauty in each other. friends get one through the most difficult days. God sends them.
Posted 3/25/2012 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
Methotrexate should be of great benefit to you but may take a while to work.
Make sure you are taking folic acid. Take the MTX at night when you don't have commitments the next day.

Good luck.
Posted 3/26/2012 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
I was born with ra and have tried many things over the years. I am 40 now. Back when I was diagnosed the idea was to limit the use of the joint. I was told id be in a wheel chair by 25. your body will tell you what out can and cannot do so listen to it. I would start lighter and work your way up to your limit instead of pushing so hard you cause yourself a lot of pain.

I tried the methotrexate and worked my way up to the max dose. It didn't do anything so me except make me narcoleptic. What sjlky wrote is so very true. You have to take folic acid with it. Nobody told me this and the falling asleep problem was caused. I would be in an important meeting and out I went like a light switch. It happened once while driving. If my head didnt bump the steering wheel waking me up, who knows what could have happened. Beyond just falling asleep all the time, I felt like death on methotrexate

I used to be 6 foot 2 inches tall. 2 or so years ago I was 6 foot even. So I lost 2 inches. Not sure what I am now but maybe I will br short enough to play Bilbo Baggins in a future film.

Good luck with your treatment. Let us know how it goes
Posted 3/30/2012 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for y'all help!!

yep I am on Folic acid and dr said my D was down so I am taking vitiman D as well.

I take the MTX 2 hours after all my other meds then I go right to bed. this is my second week to take. I take 3 pills a week. I go back to dr on the 10th to see how i am doing. my goodness enufawlrdy, i'm so glad your head hit the steering wheel. gezz that must have been scary!!

thanks for the advise about listening to my body. I think i knew the work outs were too much but stopping them was like admitting I had something...something that has decided what I can't do and can do. like ' it' was in control. a terrible feeling.

well, the bilbo baggins is good to be humorous! well, you are still close to a foot taller than me.

thank y'all sharing. it helps to know other truly understand. friend try to help but it is different from someone who 'knows'.

love this quote:
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
― Bil Keane
Posted 3/30/2012 11:54 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,

Am sorry to hear that you're suffering with RA along with Parkinsons.

I'll second what was said.  In my case I have sacroilitiis (inflammation of SI joints).  I LOVE exercising.  I keep asking my dr about it and he keeps saying it'll help, yet everytime I try (stationary bike, brisk walking or eliptical), I am in that much more pain the next day.  So just try it in small amounts and see how your body reacts.  Unfortunatley for me, not too well, but for others, it really does help.

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