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Exercise, walking really, and joint pain.

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Posted 2/21/2010 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Even when I am not having really bad CD symptoms, my joints will flare up. I've been to a Rhuemy and he thinks its CD related, my GI's don't want to change any medications, like add a biologic because my CD is pretty stable. Its just that my joints will flare up, stay that way for a month or two, sometimes more, then gradually calm down. My Rhuemy would like me on a biologic, but my joints aren't bad enough with out an added CD flare.

My joints are aching to the point that they wake me multiple times in the night. I'm always moving my heating pad from one joint to the other just to get a little relief. This is all my major joints, specifically my hips, knees, shoulders and elbows. My husband, in his ever helpful way, thinks I should start going back to the gym and walking on the treadmill to loosen up the joints. But I think it does more harm than good, since its inflammation and you are just aggravating an inflamed joint. I have gone a few times, but I think they were so bad that nothing would have helped or harmed.

Anyone with experience or thoughts on this?
Posted 2/21/2010 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Suzanne, I've had joint pain since 1987 - way before my IBD was diagnosed. It started in my shoulders, then went to hips, back, knees, elbows and so on. I an on Remicade, but it doesn't really seem to have much impact on my joint pain.

Surprisingly, I've found that exercise does help me. I work with a very skilled trainer once a week, and work out three or four times a week. For me, it's important to stay away from impact activities, so no treadmill. My wellness center has recumbant bikes and steppers which are really great. The recumbant stepper gives me good cardio without putting stress on my joints. I also use the elliptical, which is great low impact exercise. I also do weight training to strengthen the muscles that support my joints.

My only suggestion is that if you try exercise, you either get a good trainer or PT for the first few sessions. They will be able to show you how to adapt things so that you help yourself instead of hurting yourself.
Posted 2/21/2010 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was once a very hard core athelete, but now the only relief I get is from heated blankets (or from the temp being above 80 degrees).
Posted 2/21/2010 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
I use to run and exercise but the joint pain got so bad that i needed a cane and even that did not help much as it was too painful to hold it. Remicade has made the diff. and even though I had my reservations about the drug, walking is better than sitting around in pain. If I die earlier than I should ,,well,, at least I had some life rather than a painful existence. Only you can say when enough is enough when it comes to pain and scary meds but talking to your doc can make the decision easier..
Posted 2/21/2010 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
My GI doctors won't do any biologics because my CD is stable and say that the joint pain isn't enough to warrant use of the high powered stuff, need to keep it in reserve just in case. I was walking regularly outside and on a treadmill when the weather was bad, except when my joints bother me. I know that in the short term walking will make them worse (if I walk today, tomorrow I will pay), but I'm wondering if I suck it up and walk despite the pain will my joints feel better next month? I couldn't do the elliptical, it just killed me, and I need something that has weight bearing for my bones.
Posted 2/21/2010 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Personally, I think my legs and knees are better if I keep active. Got lazy over Christmas and a lot of other distractions so am getting back to walking on the treadmill most days.
Posted 2/21/2010 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I get terrible joint pains and they get a lot worse if I exercise.
But I am told that If you stick with it and get into a good shape they will get better.

I have not had the stamina to go through that.
Posted 2/21/2010 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Zanne,

A few random thoughts, written in dot form because it's early here and I haven't really woken yet:

Can you try / have you tried:

* glucosamine?
* fish oil supplementation?
* regular hydrotherapy (guided exercise in warm water)
* keeping a mood and symptom and life event diary to see if your symptoms are influenced by stress, menstrual cycle, etc. If so, perhaps massage, regular relaxation, etc might help?
* daily movement and stretching of the affected joints, even while in remission, to keep them limber?
* cortisone injections into the affected joints?

As I said, these are simply a few random thoughts, but I hope they help.

All the best,

Ivy.
Posted 2/21/2010 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
And just so you know Remicade did not work for my joint pain.
Posted 2/22/2010 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Zanne,

For awhile they dr's argued btn them on if i had lupus or crohn's crohn's won lol, anyway i also have joint pain and was put on a drug plaquinil. It is a drug for joint pain and it took all mine away and when i stopped it the joint pain returned. i have since started remicade (had my first injection last week) and the joint pain has been better this week so i am hoping the remicade is also helping and i wont have to go back on another drug cause as with most of us i have handfuls of pills that go up and down depending on how sick i am lol. But my point is that maybe you can try plaquinil and it is a joint pain drug and see if it helps.

Good luck to you!
Posted 2/22/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Deep water exercise is great relief from joint pain. Can't believe no one on here has mentioned it so far.

You DO NOT have to know how to swim. You wear a buoyant belt that keeps you up and the equal water pressure around the joints makes the movement easy and safe. You can wear shorts and T shirt if you want to be covered, no one cares and you are up to your shoulders in the water anyway.

I have seen miracles with arthritis people. One lady went from a wheel chair to walking again. She was in her 60's when she started.

They have shallow water classes too. You touch bottom the whole time and don't have to wear a belt.

Most pools have classes these days but doing it yourself is an option too. If you work hard it's at least as big a workout as a run outside. ( ie. You will be burning the same amount of calories.)

I have heard every excuse imaginable but hey what have you got to lose? It usually takes 2-3 weeks to feel the difference in strength and you sleep way better from the workout.

I still have some joint pain but it is sooo much better it barely stops me from activities any more. "Life is short, Play hard" was a motto I took to heart.

Good luck to all and God Bless
Posted 2/22/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
ya my dr suggested water aerobics for me as well i just still can't get over going to going to a class of old people, im still young and i should be up there in those classes with the young ones boxing or cycling and i just can't anymore. My nana told me though just think you'll be the hottest one in the class lol
Posted 2/22/2010 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
I have been going to aqausize although sporadically over the last few months. It is a drop in class and there are women of all ages there. There has been a lot more young than old women and there have been three or four young pregnant woman there as well. You work to your own intensity and you do get a good workout.
Posted 2/22/2010 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have some joint pain regardless of my cd activity too. In the past I was able to join a gym that worked with patients that needed rehab as well as those who are fit and active and well. Anyway, the point is, that it was a nice place because I didn't feel too out of place. But I started my workouts in the hot tub then moved to the pool and back as needed. I later was able to walk the indoor track and try other machines. I had to move from that area, but I sure would love that if I can find one I can afford again.
Posted 2/22/2010 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
If you're on prednisone, then I'd blame that. I definitely got joint pain, and it got worse the longer I was on it. My GE suspected I was getting avascular necrosis in my hip. I've been off it two months or so now and my joints haven't bothered me.
Posted 2/22/2010 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I hate all the joint pain. Im 23 and suffer with pain in my shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, knee, ankle's and feet
Posted 2/24/2010 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I'm an Exercise Physiologist with CD and can tell you that walking or stationary bike is a great way to help with joint pain. What typically happens is we get joint pain so we stop exercising; we stop exercising and our muscsles get weak; our muscles get weak and can no longer help stabilize the joint; and voila. Joint Pain. The key is to start small (10 minutes) and slowly build back up. Another exercise you can do is isometric exercises like quad sets and leg raises. These will help strengthen the leg muscles without moving the knee joint. Also try foot pumps to strengthen the calves. Give them a try.
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