RSD and exercise
 

Hi again! I just started at a gym this week, like I said I was going to in my last post. =) I am a woman of my word!:cool: Anywho, I did a basic routine of bands (like in PT) and a couple sets of lunges; that was about @3 days ago. I feel like someone took a grater to my thigh muscles and the left side of my neck is really aching. I have done that little bit before and didn't feel this sore, but this is the first time since I have had RSD. Is this a normal reaction to exercise??!!?!? I can't believe how sore I am after so little exercise; MAN I feel old and I'm still in my 40's. I know, I know,.....I'm getting there.....a little too fast for my taste, though!! :eek::eek: Ha! Anywho, any ideas on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Have a great one to all of you and God bless. I pray you all have a wonderful and painless day! =)

I think it's Wonderful that you're actually doing it! Not just talking about it!

I'd say, Yes, this is normal with rsd.
My first suggestion is, that you start slowly. Start with warm ups and stretching. Maybe for a month or so, until it doesn't hurt so much. It's really important.
'Exercise in the rsd world, doesn't usually mean 'strengthening', that's gonna hurt! ( do you have TOS or anything besides the rsd?)

Does your gym have a warm pool, that you can get in and 'resistance' walk?
I'd guess that would be your first real exercise. Many people here rave about it.

Then, before you shower and leave, perhaps a short stay in the hot jacuzzi?

I'd be afraid of those bands, especially to begin with...

Very happy for you! :)

Thanks!

pete

Thanks, Pete!
 

Hi! Surprisingly, my arms are not what hurts. I have been doing bands in PT for quite some time now and they seem to be ok.....so far. :o Unfortunately, this place does not have a jacuzzi, but it does have an 82 degree pool and offer water aerobics...I know.....slow! :wink: Thanks for the encouragement. Good to know that this may be RSD.....even though unfortunate.....and not that I am just getting old! Ha! I do not have TOS that I know of, but I do have a degenerative disc in my lower back. I see a chiropractor regularly for that. I have allergies and sneeze alot this time of year, so the neck pain could be associated to that, I guess. ANywho, thanks for the response and have a blessed day. :D

Hi Suz -

Can you get a good physical therapist's opinion? One that knows about RSD? Maybe your doc can give a script...

The best of luck to you.

XOXO Sandy

Speaking of physical exercise, or rather the absence of, is something I talk about, a lot, with the pain psychologist I've started seeing.

I don't know what your situation is, and if you're good enough to be able to even go to a gym, that's good, but in my case, ANY kind of physical exertion is the worst thing for me. I lifted weights at Gold's Gym every day for fifteen years, and now I can't walk up a flight of steps. Really depressing.

Anyway, I would just urge that if there is any pain, go slow.

Good luck.

Prior to RSD I got in the gym twice sometimes three times a week. Walked the stairs to my office not the elevator. That changed as my RSD changed. I have it full body and no longer work.

I do however, go to the YMCA 2 sometimes 3 times a week. I water walk, take an arthritis class and cardio splash. I tried water aerobics and my heart rate wouldn't go back down. A side effect for me from my RSD is an increased heart rate even at rest.
We are weightless in the water so there is no pain during or after exercise.

My pain doctor wrote a script for water therapy. I learned the things I should be doing to help with strength and endurance. Then I tried the different water exercise classes until I found what I liked. I have been going for the last 3 years.

Before we developed RSD exercise was important. Now that our activity level has decreased it's even more important that we find what works for us.

Take care,
Sherrie

Ahhh Jacciizzziiii. Please pay f9r this.................

Sore is OK, it just means you need more exercise and to build up more gradually. I doubt that it's good if you get a flare though but doctors seem to not agree on this. I'm sure I don't want a flare and excessive exercise will cause one for me.

Do as much as you feel safe doing and build up more gradually. My soreness will go away a little faster if I exercise the sore muscles very lightly.

Thanks for the input, Everyone!
 

Greetings! I have RSD in my Rt arm and hand and was told that it had not moved to my legs, but that I have degenerative disc disease. I used to walk, do aerobics, step aerobics, etc before RSd. I didn't do that much and it felt like I had taken a grater to my thigh muscles. I went again hoping to stretch, but I still had trouble walking . I sat for several hours after I got home with hot packs on my thighs......it actually helped!! I couldn't believe it.....relieved, though. :D I do need to slow down and i don't really have a good doctor to talk to that knows enough about this condition. Grateful it isn't worse than it is. Thanks again to all and Merry Christmas! =):grouphug:

Jacuzzi
 

Unfortunately, that is the one thing that they don't have. Heated pool, though.:winky:

Pool
 

I am going to try water aerobics instead of lunges for awhile. Thanks for hte input. :winky:

When I was in school, the Physical Education teachers always used to say: "No pain - no gain."

HOGWASH

Now that we (society) know better, that old adage is out the window. A little sore - OK. A little stiff - OK. Really hurt from pushing too far - STOP!

Pain is the way our body says we did something wrong, that something is injured. Unfortunately, that is the part of our bodies that is screwed up with RSD. But we still need to pay attention and listen to the pain signals.

Congratulations on taking the initiative to get an exercise program. I am trying to do the same and I know it is very easy to always have a "good" excuse. Good for you!

Mike

Hi Suz-good for you! I read on the RSDSA water should be 86 degrees. That is what it is at the two clubs I used to belong to. I make sure mine is 86 when it's spring here, of course not to worry during the summer - phoenix- 82 is a little cool for me. Water therapy has saved my mobility and got my range of motion back on both my shoulders.
You have inspired me to get back exercising, thanks! loretta with soft hugs:grouphug:

exercise
 

I go swimming a few times a week but as the RSD progresses it is getting harder to do...But I push myself a little and do what i can. I feel better mentally after going for a swim. I use to do a lot- bike riding tennis etc but like all of you this RSD has robbed us of our fun! I hate it!!!!!

Debbie

Thanks everyone!
 

I did my first water aerobics class the other night and seem to have done okay. The worst part was walking into the AC locker room after being in the nice warm pool area! Brrrrrr! The water from the hot shower felt really good, though; once I got there. Ha! I really appreciate all the encouragement from all of you. I plan to continue, but at a slower pace. Thanks again, and best to you all. =):winky:

Ahhh, "no pain no gain". Dear god I hate that line! I was a young gymnast and constantly heard that. "Work through it!" That's another good one.

I just wanted to commend you on getting out there and doing something good for yourself! It takes courage to do something where there is the possibility of it going wrong on you. And isn't it awesome when it works out?

I wanted to put something out there for all of the people with leg/back issues: I just got those Reebok Easytone shoes, and they are so WONDERFUL! You know the work out balance balls? It's kind of like there are little ones on the bottom of the shoes, and it helps you to almost roll into a step instead of bending as much. My bf got them for me and I've been absolutely loving them. (I've even been walking more lately, and out of the blue he commented that I'm not favoring my leg as much.) So that's a win! And they have bright neon green stripes on the side that make me feel faster! They're like racing stripes for slow people :D

Lynns

Hi Suz66,
 

I have tried exercising at places 3 times and couldn't do it. I joined Curves and got worse. My PCP came into the Curves place to look at the machines and said not to do it after me getting worse.

The second I joined last year. I thought I could do those machines and set my own pace, didn't work. I do have TOS though and using my arms and hands is almost impossible.

Yesterday, I talked to a lady that offered me personal yoga lessons. I don't want to waste anymore money. You join these things thinking you can do them and it just seems unlikely due to the pain we endure afterward.

I also think that by doing the vigorous exercises it makes things worse in the long run. We don't know what we are doing to the RSD while we are exercising but it comes out weeks and months later.

I try and walk everyday. I am very active with things around town here and the boys but walking seems to at least keep my weight at the same. I still need to lose some and the walking I hope will keep me from gaining over the Christmas holiday, it did through Thanksgiving. It keeps my legs moving but I can't find anything that works for my arms. Bands are a definate nono to me.

I would do like some of the others and try the water arobics. I couldn't keep up with the class of them due to my arms but I liked the warm water.

We have to all keep active somehow. It's very hard with being in the shape we are in. Some are worse then others and it's even harder for them but we just have to keep going.

I hope the gym works for you. After you try something in the gym that makes you worse, maybe just bypass it from then on.

Ada

Try the hot tub. It's wonderful.

Just do 5 minutes the first time since you might not be able to do more.

My son also goes swimming a couple of times a week. I tell myself that swimming is one of the best exercises and its also fun, his sister can go also.

Gitte - Olivers mum