Hi Ada, Sorry you're having such a time of it. To answer your question, I exercise almost every day. I do it in the hopes that the RSD won't get any worse than it is. My RSD has pretty much destroyed my left leg but I still make myself use it because I know that if I don't I'll lose the little mobility that I have. I have an exercise bike and a threadmill that I use when the weather is bad. I make myself go for a short walk every day with my leg brace and cane. I also try every day to walk around the house without the cane and brace. This is very hard so I don't do it for very long. I did try water therapy and it is great. You can get more done when you're in the water. But the only places around here that offer water therapy are the P.T.'S and it is not affordable. It's important that the water be warm and most public pools keep their water cool. A good therapist or chiropractor might be able to give you an idea of what might work for you as far as exercise is concerned. Hope you find something that helps. Jeannie

I was almost afraid to post this question. I know some people are so much worse off then me RSD wise.

My Dr. is determined to keep me out of a wheelchair. I just cried in his office last night. No matter what I try to do exercise wise, I make myself worse. It's been a hard month for me for some reason. I've missed Bill more this month, we are having problems with my VNS and now the other problems. He told me last night that we could turn the VNS off for awhile but I am so hesitant because of not wanting him to turn it back on AT ALL.

I am going to a Drs. appt. next week and I'm going to try and find some new balance shoes. I found 3 places that carry them. I think good shoes might help with the heel problem.

Where these water arobeics are the water is cool. That worries me also but then again since I stay too hot all of the time, I don't know if it would hurt me. I'm going to check on them this evening. It is 4 blocks from here so I can walk to them.

I'm just determined to keep going and also to keep my weight down. I tend to gain if I sat still.

Thanks again for the advice.

Ada

I go on a nightly walk with my dad and the dog, and a mile and a half walk at the dog park on weekends. It hurts, and when I get home I almost always have to take off my shoe and sock and roll up my pants leg! But I do it anyway because it's important to get some exercise, and it's important to keep my leg moving. I also like doing it because it reminds me how incredibly well I'm doing. A few years ago, I couldn't walk around the house!

-Betsy

ADA, I was told by my back doctor that if i do not keep my core strength up i will also be in a wheelchair. i use a cane and brace now as it is and i am fighting to keep myself walking but like i, always everyone, have a different tolerance of what they can and cannot do. i struggle with the weight problem too, with me it is a stress reliever to eat and my therapy has done wonders for that and i am now shedding the pounds in a happy way. i do keep active too. i have the six grandsons and twins on the way and so i try to stay active with and for them. i have been in the pool this year. we have an inground pool and i have been able to teach my five year old grandson to swim the length ofthe pool without floaties so now this is the sixth grandson i have taught to swim. it is not a big deal to most people but to me it is huge that i can do it. my goal is to keep my back strong and be able to hold and carry the twins when they arrive.
now i am going to the sonogram today with my daughter to see the little ones and hopefully see if we have boys or girls or one of each! so we each have to have something to live for and keep us going and get through the pain and if we have to take off our shoes and roll up our pants ant the end of the day like Betsy, i say, so what! we did it! we made it through another day!! yeah us!!!! joan

Dear Ada, Please don't ever be afraid to ask a question. The fact that some of us are more severely impacted by this condition does not in any way diminish what you are going through. As for the cooler water please be careful. I tried a public pool with cooler water and I was miserable for the rest of the day. So, if you are going to try it ,may I suggest just going in for a few minutes the first time. If you do O.K. then perhaps you could gradually increase your time. Hope this helps.....Jeannie

my library system website came up with a good listing of DVDs/videos and books.

I used the search terms "exercises for arthritis" thinking those would be very gentle.
here's the site with the list {your local library should have many of the same items}
http://www.wilinet.wccls.lib.or.us/p...&query=&page=0

I was thinking some gentle floor stretching and movements might be good.
Something with a yoga mat for cushioning.

there used to be a book called Callanetics it was isometric excerises - which is just tensing the muscle and releasing it.

Just did a search on it and it is still around- they have DVDs and groups might be one in your area.

simple and low stress low impact.
You should be able to find it in your library
here is a link for it too-
http://www.callanetics.com/booktape.php

here's a little video about it-
http://www.mindbodysoul.tv/episodes/...n/callanetics/

the google link with the search results listed-
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search