I think we are all different, so it's hard to know how your body will react to exercise.

I was never a runner really, but would sometimes slog along. With my OA and RA I find that even a little slogging makes for painful days!

I do walk everyday though, even on bad days I push myself to get myself moving. I may not go as far or as fast, but I get out there.

I used to do three miles at a brisk pace. Now I probably average 1-1.5 miles a day. Sometimes at a moderate pace, sometimes at a slow pace.

Walking is DEFINITELY safe and healthy if it causes you no or very mild, bearable and not lasting, persistent pain. I find many times that when I have a twinge here or there, an ache or mild pain in a knee or ankle, for instance - that walking actually HELPS loosen a stiff joint.

Running however is, as you probably know, more harmful and damaging on our joints - even for healthy people without RA. So I would do that with extreme caution if at all. I would take extra care to ensure good footwear and possibly add custom orthotics if you experience and joint pain on running. I would also only run on a giving surface.

LISTEN to your body!! If it hurts, or causes swelling, don't do it! That is the rule of thumb with all exercise. I myself walk 2 miles at a time and also do an aerobic class 3x a week, when I am in remission which I have had the good fortune of being in for years at a time (out of 40).

You might also want to consult a sports doctor. But your body will tell you if it's too much! Don't try to be a hero and "push through the pain." Do not follow the "no pain, no gain" rule of training!! I would go slowly and maybe not do as much as you did prior to RA. You do NOT want permanent joint damage or a FLARE!!!

Let me just add the BEST, most IDEAL exercise for anyone with RA is SWIMMING!!! You can get a full complete workout with ZERO stress on your joints in water.

Most Y's have heated indoor pools so you can partake all year long and some have RA classes or "silver slippers" classes for those over 55 or 65 or whatever...and some of it is covered by some health insurances including medicare!!! Check it out!! Keeps the joint MOVING without the damage of gravity!!

My story is that I tried over and over again to vigorously exercise and I would be so fatigued that I could do nothing for the rest of the day...no one, not even my RA doctor, knew why. Well, HELLO, it's from the RA!! Now I go when I can but I only use weights and I don't spend more than 30 minutes with any sort of high intensity. Now that this RA is in my feet I'm waiting for the steroids to kick in and will be starting Humira because the Imuran isn't working for me. I've learned to listen to my own body and not try to push myself into what I used to do or think I should be able to do....acceptance....

I was diagnosed 6 years ago. Started running 10 years ago. In my opinion running helps my RA. I also strength train and do other cardio. I feel better if I run now if I am having a flare I do something else. New reports are coming out that running is not bad on your knee's or joints. But if you had a knee replacement I am not sure. I am in a group of athletes with RA and several members have had knee and hip replacements and are still running. If you do it start out slow and increase as you can and make sure you have good running shoes. I run 4 days a week because I do not think its good to run everyday. Good luck.

Do whatever you can to stay active but let go of the "no pain no gain" mentality. If it hurts, don't do it. If you pay for it for a day or three after, don't do it. This had been the hardest thing for me to adapt to... I used to be an athlete, now on my best days I can manage ten minutes of gentle yoga. I am hopeful that some day I'll find a rheumatologist who's worth a damn and that biologics will give me back some of my former physical ability.

My feet are so bad I can't even walk, let alone run. Mind you, I was never a long distance runner - I was a sprinter in track and field.

So about 6-7 years into RA, I finally got on decent meds. I was overweight and horribly out of shape. I stared with some stretches and weights, then added biking. It was very short at first, and then I worked up to 30-35 km rides outside. It was the best thing I could have done for my joints. My knees were so strong, and despite RA, OA damage, and a lot of injuries from bike falls, I never had any pain. I got hit by a car once, and my left knee was dislocated, among other things.

I was recovered and back on my bike quickly! The last year has been horrific for med failures, but I still tried to ride a bit either outside or on my trainer. But I am having lots of issue - like knees dislocating just because I turned over in bed. So I am being a lot more consistent at exercising, getting back to the weights, and lots of stretches. And although I have lost some conditioning, I am doing better than most people who were bed ridden a lot of the year.

My point - low impact exercises. My daughter has done a lot of studies of the body in her BSc. She concluded that running is very hard on the body. She still runs - but shorter distances, and she does work outs at a gym. Running is too hard on the feet and knees of a normal person, although some might not agree. But for someone with RA - look at swimming or biking. You won't regret it.

Thank you all for the responses. Yes, I understand that biking and swimming are still the best exercises, not just for Ra but for your body. I live in rural NC and biking is not a good idea. I swim when I can. I do try and walk if I don't run. I call what I do wogging: combined walking running. I have slowed down. I do get tired even after just walking. It is the RA and the medicine both. I work full time and find it hard to even drag my feet in the door after some days, let alone exercise. Again, thank you all for the advice and I guess we do what we can do.

Joe

This is one of those times that I feel I have a different type of RA than some folks...

Running? Swimming? Biking? You're kidding me, right?

I haven't been able to even walk through a grocery store for years now.

I hear you coal train. Grocery shopping takes everything I have. I would love to be able to walk for exercise, or just to walk normally. The holy grail is finding medication that will allow me to do that.

Hi Coaltrain, Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. As I stated in my initial post, I am very fortunate in that I am able to pretty much have a normal life. I feel bad for those of you that are having a lot of problems. But, as we keep being reminded, no two people with RA are the same.
Joe