exercise ?

Yes, yes, yes.  Gentle exercise does help with pain and fatigue of fibro.  I walk and swim as my gentle exercise.  There are some good stretching exercises in Fibro 101, too.  They do help, also.  Mountain climbing?  Probably not.  But walking?  Yes!

 

Sherrine

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Before I knew what my problem was I knew I felt better if I exercised and then stretched. Exercise has been a part of my life for over 40 years. There are days I feel so bad that I don't even want to get out of bed. However, my dog wants to get up and get out, so up I get. I start the day with a long walk with her and then I do gentle stretching or yoga when I get back. I also take exercise classes and bike ride. If for any reason I have to stop for a few days I am miserable. I have trouble moving or walking.

So--use it or lose it. But start slow and gentle. Just gradually do a little more each couple of weeks or so. You will feel better.

I agree with the ladies above. Although there are times I feel as if I can't even get out of bed, I know if I take a walk or use my elliptical, I do feel better. Having dogs to walk is such a wonderful motivation. It has helped me so many times. I also think it is a mind/body thing...loving your animal more than the pain you feel, wanting to take them out and make them happy. I never before believed in the mind/body connection but I am really becoming a believer.
Gentle hugs,
Miriam

I see you are in the Crohn's forum mostly so you might not know about Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibro and you will learn a lot there.

 

I also have Crohn's disease and you can get something they call Crohn's arthritis and maybe that is going on.  Be sure to talk to your gastroenterologist about your joint pain.

 

I use malic acid/magnesium supplements and extra vitamin D3 and these have helped me with pain and fatigue.  There are links about these in Fibro 101 and how they work in the body.  Many with fibro are deficient in these vitamins and nutrients. 

 

You, though, might have even more problems because of the Crohn's disease.  I know I do because I don't absorb nutrients like a person without Crohn's.  Consequently, I was very low in sevral nutrients including vitamin D.  I live in Florida and we have a lot of sun but, whenever I'm out in the sun, I put on suntan lotion and that blocks the vitamin D, too.  I see you live in Iceland.  I'm not sure how much sun you get but you might ask  your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels.  They do this with a blood test.  I take 5,500 IU of vitamin D3 a day now!  It has helped with pain, too.  It's a very important vitamin.  You need vitamin D to help absorb calcium, too, and I was so low, I wasn't absorbing the calcium I was taking and ended up with osteoporisis because of it.  So be sure to ask your doctor, okay?

 

These vitamins and nutrients, along with the exercise, have helped keep my pain under control.

 

Sherrine 

I have been an avid and intense exerciser for years. Recently I have had to come to grips with the fact the biking, yoga and water aerobics and pilates are all I can do. Weights hurt my joints since I have severe joint hypermobility ( Ehlers Danlos with caused my fibromyalgia). any exercise with impact other than walking which I do with my dog can really cause some problems. If done gently, exercise can help. I am currently having trouble doing anything but biking and yoga due to serious knee pain. Awaiting an MRI next week. Good Luck!

I have started going to AquaFit classes for my exercise...I absolutely love it!!! I can't always do the moves but I improvise with something else that I like until the next change happens. It's energetic and a great workout, but there's no strain on the joints because of being in the water.

I highly recommend it, and also, the use of the hot tub or steam room afterwards. Those feel soooooooo good!!!

hugs,
Pam