Hello craftyKelly. I FULLY believe that exercise helps to slow the progression of this insidious disease. I try to get out and ride my bike everyday if possible. With back problems and of course the main joints being troublesome, aside from swimming this seems to be the lowest impact exercise i can manage. I am able to do so much more throughout the week than if i didn't do some sort of workout. If i miss two days of riding, it sets back my health & stamina quite fast.
It has now been 2 years as of December since this arth'wrong'is has taken a bite out of my life. BUT, "We" can't let it ruin our spirit and zest for life, right!? I do know that before i started exercising regularly, i would experience horrible flares. Now there not as bad. I hope the best for you and everyone tonight...!

I also believe exercise helps to slow things down when it comes to the joint damage of this beast. It keeps the muscles around your joint tight and firm, helping to minimize damage by decreasing how much wiggle room your joint has. It also REALLY helps with stiffness. I'm sure if you researched it, you find a number of connections to how it helps with RA.

Peronally, I simply feel loads better when I exercise.

-Tanya

I am not sure it slows it or not, but think that (as Tanya said) it keeps the muscles firm and doing their job, which in turn has a positive effect on things. I also find it has a positive effect on my mood - the more I do, the better I feel and then I tend to feel "better overall" which helps with pain and fatigue.

Not sure if excercise slows down RA, but I can tell you it is essential in keeping your joints well oiled, which does help your RA. I am an excercise enthusiast and when I was struck down with RA couldn't dress myself let alne excercise. Well I can you that I now excercise a minium of 4 days a week. I used to push for 7, then 6 the 5 but realistically if I can do it for an hour 4 days it is doing what it should. I have develope muscles and really good core strength. Developing core strength and carrying your body properly helps keep the joints in place where they need to be. When I wake up everyday I can barely move and hobble to the bathroom. Once I excercise I not only have energy to tackle the day but those stiff joints got oiled and work a lot better!

I've been in a pretty uncontrolled flare, recently diagnosed. I find that when I laze about, it usually makes the RA much worse. I've read movement can break up the swelling, and it seems to hold true for me. But now I have a cold, hard to do much but I try not to sit or lay down in very long stretches... it helps.

I know exercise helps you too feel better and move better. But sometimes, when you are in pain especially in feet, you can not exercise. So I am speaking out for those of others who right now can not exercise (walking, biking, etc.) because of feet and knee problems.

Exercise is essential to maintain muscle strength which holds the joints in place. That means they track properly and there will be less RA damage. And also less OA damage, secondary to the RA.

Does it slow the progression of the disease? NOT in my experience. I ride a bike for about 20 miles alternating with weights and stretches daily. I'm in my 7th year of faithful exercise. But 2 years ago I had a major med failure and ended up back in bed, unable to lift the blankets off my bed, or dress myself. Last year another med failure, and same story, but with 4 months prednisone just to make it through the day. I did NOT stop exercising through most, with the help of DMARDS and then Rituxan kicking in. But it simply made no difference to the severity and pain of the disease. Just meds work for me to cover it up.

So I keep on exercising and appreciating it in a way I would never have done if I had not gotten RA. I can barely walk, but I can ride my bike and probably exercise more than before RA. So an overall gain, I feel.

I've heard if you just exercise more, you're RA will be cured.

I think exercise helps overall, but have been told by my rheum to avoid stressing a joint while in a flare. Instead, to do stretching, yoga type stuff, but keep it light, not too strenuous.

Angela, if you can barely walk, how can you ride a bike? What kind of bike do you have? My knees (especially my right knee) hurt to even go down to the ground. If I do bend my knees down, they hurt severly for days. Can't do steps either. How can you ride a bike without hurting your knees?

I know a bike keeps the weight off your feet but what if your knees are in this bad of shape?

Wendy - My step dad had 2 knee replacements due to OA. Just before and just after surgery, about all he could do was ride bikes. As long as I take it slow it doesn't hurt much for me... while just walking kills my knees. It's weird...

epi,
before my dad's TKR, he was cycling daily to bulid up muscle strength.
He was bone on bone.

Do NOT exercise during a flare. I have huge damage in my thumbs because of that.

I can barely walk more than a few feet. My knees have OA, RA damage plus 3 torn meniscus and a bulging disc. Right now, my knees are bad - not sure why. But I wrap them in a tensor bandage. I stretch thoroughly before going out. Today I did 20 miles on the road above Malibu beach and felt better after. Not sure how that works. But I could barely walk across the street.

I wear special hard soled cycling shoes and I ride on my heels. Bad form, but my toes are so damaged from the reconstruction and deformities I cannot put pressure on them.

My advice is always - start with a minute. Build up slowly over weeks. If it hurts, sharp or hot pain. Stop immediately. And don't give up. It really gets better as the muscles get stronger. And I am so glad it does.

Inspired by Angela, I started cycling, a stationary bike in my home. I really can't get exercise through walking because I can't walk more than one slow back at a time. The stationary bike does not bother my knees or ankles at all.

That said, I haven't been doing it lately. Feel cruddy from RA drug side effects, weak and nauseas. Hoping to start again tomorrow! Really. I don't know that it's going to stop my RA, but at the very least, it makes me feel empowered, stronger and healthier. i also do upper body weight training, which helps with my muscle loss.

I would love to know how other people find the motivation to exercise when they feel really sick (as opposed to "just" joint pain). When I am whoozy and nauseas, I just can't bring myself to do it.

Tina

Benefits to You

The Exercise Program will help you:

Keep joints flexible and muscles strong
Sleep better
Increase energy
Improve your overall outlook
Experience the Exercise Program

The Exercise Program can be experienced in a class setting or on your own at home:

Exercise Classes Led by a certified instructor, the classes may be taken either standing or sitting. The simple routines are easy to replicate at home. Classes meet for one hour, two to three times per week for eight weeks and are designed to be relaxing and enjoyable.

Take Control With Exercise DVD This upbeat 60-minute fitness DVD provides a balanced exercise routine based on the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and includes:

Two optional endurance routines to create a more challenging workout
A relaxing guided imagery segment to help you manage stress
Proven Results

Developed by the Arthritis Foundation, the Exercise Program uses movements created by physical therapists that address pain and fatigue while increasing strength. Studies show individuals attending the classes have experienced:

Less pain
More confidence in their ability to continue activities
Increased social activity
Fewer doctor and emergency room visits
Getting Started

Click on Find a Local Program below to find an Exercise class in your area, or contact your local Arthritis Foundation office by calling 800-283-7800

Here is waht the Arthritis Foundation says about exercise for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

You will see a lot of things in the media, about exercise helping Osteoarthritis...BIg differance than RA

You see famous people, sports ppl, like Mike DItka, they get hips, joints replaced..from repetative sports injuriesm and get osteoarthrits..

There is no cure for RA yet.....look at the 300,00 JRA little kids suffering in the USA..some get joint replacements before they are teens

I had to do some quad strengthening exercises before my knee repalcements and revisions..But the one knee was so bad, i could not make it up the stairs to my sons parent/teacher conferance, years ago

And, those years before biologics were invented, did a number on my knee, and mid 40's got first one replaced.

During flares, one should rest the joints