New to this forum and looking for advice re. Exercise, Pain and Fibromyalgia

Hi All, I am new to the Fibromyalgia forum. I was diagnosed with FM a few weeks ago. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis for the last year and a half and have been following that forum for a few months. I am finding it very confusing trying to restructure my life based on my new diagnoses, especially in the area of exercise. Obviously everyone should get enough exercise but my RA doc says if something is hurting me I should stop, on the other hand with Fibromyalgia I’m being told that the pain while exercising is not doing me any harm as long as it goes away within half an hour. I swim regularly and I am always find it painful when I do. Sometimes the pain lasts for many hours after swimming. I don’t know if its FM or RA pain consequently I don’t know if I’m doing myself harm or good. Any ideas on how to distinguish what’s hurting me? Thanks for any advice. Neenaa

Hi, Neenaa, and welcome! Swimming I'd a wonderful gentle exercise for both fibro and arthritis. But, maybe you are swimming too long. I swim for about fifteen minutes to a half hour but it's more leisurely swimming.....back stroke, side stroke, breast stroke and I take my time when doing these. I also walk daily as another gentle form of exercise. Yoga is another good gentle exercise for fibro...not sure about RA. But I do knowit is important to keep moving with fibro and probably for RA, too.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

Hi Myself 09, Thanks for the advice. I will write a journal to keep track of my exercise/pain experiences. Taking a break between laps is also a good idea. I will give that a try. Your exercise regime sounds remarkable. You must really enjoy it.

Hi Sherrine, I do push myself when I am swimming. I'm competing with my own personal best most of the time. I see now that this is not the object of the exercise (no pun intended) especially when I may be stopping myself from exercising by overdoing it. I had a good read of Fibro 101. Thanks for all the info. It's a very complicated disease isn't it?

Hi ok angel, my muscles feel wasted and weak during and after swimming. Moderation will now be my new philosophy. I will let you know how that goes. I am on Lyrica 150mg at night over the past 4 weeks for the Fibro. It has helped a lot with my burning feet and hands also the depression seems to have lifted a good bit too. My arms, hands, legs feet are just as painful as before though. My RA doc has referred me to a Rheumatology Rehabilitation Unit where you stay for two weeks (home at the weekend) where a team of professionals from different disciplines such as physio/occupational/hydro therapies, Techniques for Anxiety and Pain Management, and access to social workers help you understand your disease(s) and how to manage it. I’m very lucky to get this opportunity. I don’t know when it will happen yet but I have heard great reports about it.

I’ll let you know how it goes when it happens. Thanks again everyone, Neenaa.

Hi Myself09,
Sorry to hear you have had a bad week health-wise. Me too. Haven't been swimming for 5 days. My not so medical description is "I have a dose". My voice has disappeared and been replaced with that of a Grizzly Bear.
I used to walk quite a bit. We live close to the sea and there are lovely places to walk nearby. Unfortunately since the RA set in its too painful for me to walk any decent distance. The swimming seems to be the best bet for me and Fibro at the moment. Enjoy your weekend hike. I expect some of the trees will still be in beautiful colour.