I also have a dx of Fibromyalgia along with RA. I have less muscle weakness than other indicators like pressure/pain sensitivity at the pressure points and extreme fatigue. I take Savella and Neurontin (gabapentin) for my FM and it helps.

I used to exercise religiously and wish i could get back to it. it's just one of those vicious cycles - pain/fatigue = no exercise and no exercise = pain/fatigue.

My last Rhuemy Dx fibromyalgia. I was horribly weak. When my RA meds finally started working well enough for me to exercise, I did some PT in a warm water pool. It was like magic. I think muscle memory had something to do with it working so well and so fast. Within a couple of months my strength increased dramatically. I now take water aerobic classes regularly. I love it, and the added bonus of new friends too!
Lynne

I've been diagnosed with fibro in addition to RA, and the research and docs are right - exercise helps. I am a firm believer in physical therapy, and think that it should be automatically prescribed for anyone diagnosed with RA, fibro, or anything else that affects our bodies so dramatically and in so many ways.

The best thing I've learned from my physical therapist is to ease into moving my body - do not push it. Frustrating at times, but it's become a mantra.

A good PT can do wonders - literally. He'll take an in-depth assessment at the first visit, so you both have an understanding of what you're capable of at that point. He'll come up with a plan that will get you to a goal you're comfortable with, will not overwhelm you, and will patiently show you how to move your body so you don't upset nerves (fibro) and joints (RA). He'll be the best coach you've ever had - encouraging, celebrating milestones, then nudging you on to the next step. Part of the program will be exercises you can do at home. Yeah, they're stupid (picking up marbles with my toes!), but they actually work, and gradually get you to where you can move without pain. You will experience some pain as you go, of course, and the PT should be able to explain to you what is causing the pain and how long it should last.

And that's just the exercise part! The soft muscle work (or whatever your body requires), the ice/heat, and everything else they have in their arsenal, really, REALLY helps.

Ok. I'll get off my soapbox now...

At one point I told my PT "I understand why all the experts say to exercise. I'm like a shark - if I don't keep moving, I'll sink." His reply was "Yes! But you don't have to swim fast - you just have to move."

Oops! My paragraphs got mixed up. The shark analogy should've come earlier.

Stepping off that soapbox once again...