Hi Caspiana -

Sorry, your post made me think of a random question for you. Did you get your RA under control with meds, or did you have some type of remission? Just curious.

Thanks!

l

Hi lace. I've been on enbrel and mtx for three years. I don't know what will happen if I went off them but the doctor says in time we may be able to reduce the doses but going off them completely is another matter. Currently I am in good shape with no pain (except as quoted above) . I think excercise has played a huge role in helping me feel good, keeping my joints strong and giving me a good frame of mind.

Hello, Caspiana,

I am happy to hear you have your RA under control. Jogging is very hard on your joints, so I think you should ask your doctor if he/she thinks this is okay for your. I used to jog, and it was a great exercise and stress reliever; however, RA has pretty much destroyed both of me knees. I think it would be great if it is okay for you to jog, but I would definietly check with the doc. My doc told me years ago, no jogging and no more step aerobics.

Best Wishes,
MT

I have been on Enbrel, mtx, and plaquenil since Novemeber 09 and have seen 80% reduction in pain and inflamation. My knees and ankles were so bad that I could not get out of bed some days prior to the Enbrel. I started trying to jog the end of May this year. I overdid it at first and had a per bursa injury requireing a steroid injection and a reprimand from my Rheumatalogist. She told me that I should not run but I could walk as fast as I wanted to but to leave one foot on the ground. I convinced her to let me jog after a healing period and I try a gradual running program and stop if I felt unusual pain. I have run four 5k races since July 4. I have lost 25 pounds and feel so much better. I have had problems with hip and knee pain and had to stop running and heal for about a week several times, I had my 6mo. checkup with my pcp last week and he was not wild about me running, but after his examination and seeing how much more fit I am that I was 6 mo. ago, he told me that if it were him, he would continue to run. The most important thing to me is that I learn to tell the difference between pain that just "hurts" and pain as an indication that I am " hurting" (injuring) myself. For now I am continuing to run, but am going to be very aware of my condition and prepared to slow down, or stop at any time.

Yes, I would check with your doc first.

My PCP and rheumy have both said that as long as it doesn't hurt, I can do it. Walking is pretty much what I can do; I have too much pain in my hips, knees and feet to run. But I can walk, and if its not been too bad of a day, its really nice to be able to walk and stretch.

If you aren't swollen, and you can move, you won't damage the joints. The joint damage actually comes from the disease itself, and not from you using the joints.

But please do ask your doctor for clearance before you start a new exercise program.

I think the rule of thumb is that if it hurts, don't do it! I'm a "push through the pain" type of person, but pain is the warning sign of the body, and I have had to learn the hard way not to push.

Have you tried riding a bike? I am in remission from Rituxan and I ride every other day. I used to ride every day, but that was too hard on my knees. I did 37.6 km or 22 miles the other day. It is a good work out, but I am in the country with lots of broad shoulders on small highways and it works well for me.

Do talk to your rheumy about exercise options. I know mine encouraged me to cycle, and the orthopedic surgeon told me it was the best think I could do for my joints. It keeps the muscles strong, which keep the joints tracking properly, and despite the damage, I am in no pain when I ride. And low impact. Good for you for exercising!!

Thank you all for your input. I will talk to my doc at my next visit.

@caspiana - you should keep in mind that when you ask your rheumy about jogging, you may get a negative response that has nothing to do w your specific situation. of the 4 rheumys i've seen, only one of them has supported the idea of me going back to running. the one that is supportive (the current one) says "do it if you have no joint pain. if you get joint pain, rest, then try again.

i think many rheumys assume that running or jogging is out of the question for RA patients, but i think many folks would benefit more from the exercise than from avoiding it. i hope you're able to resume jogging!

Hi Caspiana,

I like to exercise also... my physio said weight-bearing exercise (walking / running, weight training) is fine when you are not flaring, but stick to cycling and swimming when in a flare. If your ankles ache after a run, I would try to go easy. My hubby bought me a bike trainer for my bike - it goes under the back wheel and converts it to an exercise bike. Fairly inexpensive too. It's great, I thrash out a hard 15min in the morning before my shower which 'melts' my stiff joints. It has the same intensity feel as a run, perhaps you could try that?

Cheers
Kam

Running, even jogging can put undue stress on your joints. Best to check with the doctor. Also, invest in good gym shoes that will protect your feet and knees. Glad to hear things are going so well for you, hope the good continues and you are able to run marathons!

CASPIANA!!!

So good to see you back, I'd really hoped that things were going so well that you hadn't been on the boards - and hoped that the earthquake hadn't affected you too adversely

I don't jog, so can't speak to this particular issue - I do have a few friends with RA who do run (one does 1/2 marathons).

Great to see you

Tort

This is my first post. I started having joint pain in right hand and right foot 7 months ago. Had a nodule and neuroma removed in left foot in March and the inflammation got worse after that. Also have had nodules in right elbow for four years and developed fluid this last May. Saw a rheumatologist in August. All test negative except the CCP test came back positive. She put me on plaquenil. Just two weeks on it so no relief yet. Felt great from June to August naturally when I saw her. Then had a flareup. Felt horrible Sunday, but great Monday. So not sure if I have the beginning stages or will get RA. Done alot of research and will have more questions when I see her next.

About running go for it if you feel like it. I just did a triathlon and just starting training for two half marathons. If your knee's are good do what you can when you feel good. I use to run in the mornings, but now I have to wakeup and move around a couple of hours before I can think about running because I am so stiff. Exercise I think is the best thing for RA when I do not exercise I feel worse, but some days it is hard to do that. I have to put it off to the afternoon. As I said am new to this do not know what is in store the research scares me :-( All I can do is pray and try to stay healthy. The swimming is also great for you too. I hope you get back to jogging and have success with it. Happy running!!

Hi Tort :)) How have you been? I have been very well thanks. I hope you are doing okay. The earthquake was not too close to me so I was okay just shaken. Thanks for asking. It's certainly inspiring to hear about your friend running marathons. I am not ready for that yet, but with effort and determination I may be.

Gotorun I sincerely hope that in time you will find out the root of the problem and get the treatment you need. Indeed I have no pain today despite running last night. I am happy about it and will discuss it with my doctor. Do take it easy and let us know how you are doing.

Wow. I cannot believe tat you are on here. I had been so worried about you in Japan after the Earthquake. I had posted for a long time if any of the oldtimers here had heard anything from you. Its so good to know you are ok.
As for Jogging, I would not reccomend it because you are putting alot of pressure on your Joints that way. Especially your Knees. Stick with walking even power walking would be better. What does Rheumy say?

Bigi!! I am sorry to have worried you. I am doing fine. The earthquake was bad but I was far away from it and was only quite shaken. The people up north however, are still suffereing. Thank you for worrying about me.
Thanks for your advice. I am going to talk to my doctor. I walked and ran a little last night and feel fine today. But I am going to be careful. I hope you are doing well.