Exercise best remedy if able👍

[Hampo81]

I was chatting to a guy on this forum the other day and we realised just how important exercise has become in battling all these crazy symptoms...

I understand some are completely unable to exercise and I totally sympathies... Also I'm not saying exercise is a cure by any means but I am 💯 convinced that is the best aid at keeping these symptoms down...

I had been extremely down with all these relentless symptoms for a good 5 years or so, so at the turn of the new year I decided that if my overactive immune system was hell bent on attacking good tissues and health etc then I was going to give it something to fight it back... I started running a lot!! I hadn't really run to much before but I really got into it.

You know the days when you just feel so tired and fatigued all you want to do is lay down? Well I just forced myself to run on these days and I can't tell you how uplifting that is..(even just a couple of miles) when I feel ulcers are about to flare up I go run as fast and as long as I can. I honestly am sure it keeps them at bay, and it also numbs the pain of ulcers for at least a couple of hours.

So all in all I think exercise is the best remedy for this relentless disease, and it absolutely 💯 helps my mental state, it's actually like I run off all the dark feelings that come with the symptoms.. I do get bad joint pain mostly my back and neck but now when I feel these pains coming on I go running, it is sometimes realy sore to start with but it almost always stops my joint pain getting worse.

I just wanted to share this in the hope it might inspire someone else to start fighting this disease with exercise, I would love to hear if there is anyone els who finds exercise helps...

All the best peeps

[Funhound]

I absolutely agree !! Excercise has saved my sanity over the decades . If I hadn't forced myself out the door an run , walked , cycled ,limped or hobbled over the years I truly believe I would have sunk into the bottomless pit . Every day remember there will be a day when you can't but today is NOT that day . Positivity is powerful 😊 Thanks 4 the positive post xxx

[ABon2001]

I 100 percent agree! I used to feel much worse before I started running. I still have flares but I believe that the running has toughened me up and helps me fight harder. I am now up to half marathon distances and am completely addicted to it. Thanks for sharing. 😁

[Hampo81 in reply to ABon2001]

Brilliant!! I have just registered for the Great Aberdeen Run Next month, Keep it up 👍

[Kiwichris]

Yes I force myself to do a short walk run every day - well aim for at least 5-6 days a week. I do either 30 secs sprint, 30 seconds walk for 10 mins or 1 min sprint, 1 min walk for 10 mins every morning even if I feel like crap but after that I ALWAYS feel better with more energy. It seems to really help the chronic fatigue type symptoms even if I feel totally out of energy before I start I always feel better after.......

[Hampo81 in reply to Kiwichris]

Amazing!!! It really dose change your mood for the better

[billi]

I have promoted this for a long time. The best exercises if you can walking, swimming and dance. I was lucky enough to get onto the pain management scheme at my local hospital, once a week for 10 weeks. It consists of information about pain, how it works, what we can do, also exercise even if you are in a lot of pain you can do some exercises to help your mobility and it is much better for you than just sitting around, finally mindfulness which is a way to understand yourself and your pain, how to relax and sleep better. I was very sceptical at first as I was on many medications and could hardly move. But......it worked, I am much more mobile, I have over a period of time stopped all meds except one. I couldn't do a marathon but I walk well, I can do light housework, I feel better about and inside myself and I sleep better than ever. There is also back up if you feel yourself slipping down the dark side. This was over 2 years ago and I'm still doing well. Anybody can do the exercises they give and advice. It's a matter of mind over matter but I and some of the others in my class have co it ued to thrive because we know what we need to do.

I advise anybody to get in touch with their local hospital and find athe same or similar course, you won't regret it but you must see it through each of the weeks ...NO EXCUSES.

Hope this helps, no, I know it will and there is no charge it's part of people's treatment for severe pain. Don't just sit there, do it.

Hugs to all

Billi

[AGE1965]

Hi there, great post I agree with your theory and have found that regular walking keeps the mind healthy and those aching knees and back at a tolerable level. Keep up the good work and stay positive.

Kind regards

Alan

[rooser1]

Agree. I train with heavy weights twice a week and my joints don't hurt like they use to. When i am in a flare, my body doesn't crumble like it used to. I remember being at my rheums office few months back telling her i think i'm in a flare but things aren't hurting like they were and ulcers were also smaller than they use to be too. She ran my blood work and just looked at me shocked. she told me to keep doing what i'm doing.

as others have mentioned, it's not just for physical. mentally i feel so much more relaxed and calm. Definitely keeps the stress at bay.

I also, like all of you do have days where exercise just will not happen either the joints or fatigue is too high and so i will goto sleep and try the next day. i find that if i'm in a regular regimen, those days become fewer and further in between. so basically, if you have a good day, keep rolling with it!

thanks for posting a very positive and insightful post.

[sam0511 in reply to rooser1]

Good advice, thanks

[m82girlygirl]

Thank you. I have noticed this to a minor degree but I Am going to keep plugging away!

[Jaynep]

Totally agree..ive started walking about 4 miles a day and my symptoms and mood has changed for the better dramatically. I do still have days where I feel I can't move because of fatigue but if I push past the pain barrier when I've finished my walk I so feel a lot better x

[magician]

Fully agrée!

I used to equate exercise with flares wyanback then, when I did not yet know how to calibrate my exercise to my body situation.

After so many years of trying: This year, I was able for some reason to go on exercising without triggering flares, except for the occasional ulcer which heals after a day.

I hope we can all find a way to incorporate exercise into our days.