Please help us by participating in the following anon... - NRAS
Please help us by participating in the following anonymous big poll about cardiovascular risk - tick all that apply
469 VotersPlease select all that apply:
Thank you for your efforts and hard work!
Thank you. I still fall short at times. But I do try.😊
My exercise is to try at least 30 minutes of walking a day, but sometimes I’m not up to it. I also do gardening, a bit! I try and eat well but also succumb to temptation. I know what I should do but it’s not always easy to do it!
Hi Janniet,
I think your doing great gardening and exercising. Like myself we can only do what we can. I enjoy playing golf, when unable to. It's just great to walk round a 9 hole course with a friend who's playing taking in fresh air is great in its self. If I can't get out will use cross trainer when able to x
I have never smoked so left that question blank. X
I put down I don't exercise but I'm always in the go in work. I work in a busy pharmacy and I do around 2000 steps a day. So I'm shattered when I get in. And early bed for me.
I didn't answer the one about giving up smoking, as I gave up over 40 years ago and I didn't have RA then. I was diagnosed in 1987. Didn't smoke then.
I do exercise regularly but it tends to be walking / yoga - I know I need to do more cardio exercise.
Gave up smoking 20 yrs ago well before RA kicked in also walk everyday and swim most days.
I dont have RA.....have osteoarthritis so answered accordingly
Walking is the only exercise I can do. Thank God I can still do that. Fatigue is the thing that stops me. I have RA, diabetes type 1, osteoporosis and sleep apnoea. All these things contribute to exercise being a challenge and the fatigue.
This site is great..so many caring people 😊😊😊😊
I do try to keep as active as I can but on top of the RA I also have high blood pressure & have shortness of Breath due to a Pulmonary fibrosis. So I'm between the devil & the deep blue sea so to speak.
I do know that I should do more to exercise & now that I have had a steroid injection in my knee & after feeling very weary all winter, I hope to get out walking when the better weather is here
I don't exercise regularly. I manage to cook ( fresh food,3 times a day) almost 5 days a week. I walk a km or two 3 times a week. Can't do more because of ITP. Haven't smoked, ever.
i have never smoked, eat lots of fruit & vedge, but find pain does prevent exercise either during it-it gets too bad or after, it hurts too much.
I can't give up chocolate it's my special treat.
My mobility prevents me exercising very well but I do a chair yoga class and have bought a fit bit to ensure that I have I do not sit for too long.
I would love to exercise every day and I did until my ankles have been so sore. I also enjoyed swimming and yoga but as I can't get up off the floor I can't do yoga. I feel RA has really taken a lot from me.
I work in a busy college so do plenty of walking. Try to eat a balanced diet, fruit daily fresh veg. Worst problem, I am a smoker. I know that you don't agree but going through grief at the moment. Lost dad, who I was a carer for passes away. Life is tough at the moment and meds changed 5 months ago.
I no the risks but unfortunately I also have heart problems. However having reach 79 I'm still here. I've just made magic soup. I eat very well. Don't always trust doctors who load me up with pills would prefer a more holistic approach. I take methotrexate but also flaxseed and in winter vit d. Have had honey all my life and now porridge every morning I'm waiting for knee op so excercise is limited.
My exercise is done in short bursts, with a rest in between, that's all I can manage. I realize the importance of having to do it, but people look at you, and think your fit and well.Those people have no idea what we actually go through.
I cant take as much exercise as I'd like, but do my best.
Thanks
I find it very difficult to keep exercising. Must try harder!
I am not alone ! swim only once a week but has strengthened me
I've never smoked so left that blank. I exercise as much as I can -around working full time Zumba and gym once a week. Light weight at home for 20-15 mins 3-5 days a week
I walk much less since I lost my lovely Labrador, but have joined "Borrow my Doggy" and am starting to walk 2 poodles as often as I can. My family history is High Blood Pressure and I am overweight - I take 4 types of Blood Pressure tablets - I take my blood pressure at home regularly
- I've been on steroids for 18 years - a high dose for 6 months due to an eye issue left me 1.5 stones heavier. I've lost 1/2 a stone but can't shift any more
I do drink alcohol, but try not to for 3-4 days a week - Nice food and a glass of wine is a great pleasure
We have to live "as mormal a life as possible"
It's good to be asked questions about living with RA as a whole
Michele
i know it looks bad .i have had 2 heart attacks all ready.
I try hard but don’t always succeed! Thanks for doing this research as it helps me to deal with my pain etc knowing that there are people out there trying to help.
Thank you for what you & NRAS do, it's enormously helpful. x
I also have COPD and usually attend exercise sessions 3-4 times a week which includes cardio vascular exercises. The activity can sometimes aggravate my RA though so there are times when I have to give exercise a miss for a few sessions until the pain settles down again.
when i say i exercise i do cleaning in a large shop pushing a scrubbing machine at least i have something to lean on lol
In late summer of 2017, I went on a 30 day clean eating 'challenge'. I continued to eat that way, along with exercising 6-7 days per week (usually walking, and ab exercises), and by late spring of 2018, I had put my RA into 'remission', as far as the CRP (flammation markers) were concerned. I was so proud of myself! And, I was able to prove to my doctors that what I eat DOES matter (so many of them tell me diet has nothing to do with treating RA). Granted, the pain never went away (unfortunately), but the inflammation in my body certainly did. I knew that it had to be healthy for my heart for that CRP level to go down to .04. I hadn't seen it that low since long before I was first diagnosed.
Unfortunately, I had a very stressful summer last year and have fallen off track and my CRP levels are up again. But I'm working my way back to eating healthy. It proved to me how important diet truly is for autoimmune diseases! Get rid of processed foods as much as you can, my RA warriors! It makes a HUGE difference. I know it's hard because everything has some kind of crap in it (I was stunned at how much processed sugar was in just about EVERYTHING), but it IS possible! 
<3
Katie thanks for the poll
I had a heart attack June 2018. My blood pressure previous to heart attack was ok also my cholesterol . I exercised and had what I considered to be a healthy diet. Had a stent fitted . On discussion with cardiac consultant and rheumy specialist they both told me I was at higher risk because I have psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation, also I take biological meds and Methotrxate .
Sorry, I couldn’t answer the stopped smoking question as I have never smoked. I try my best with the exercise but it is sometimes a bit hit and miss!
I have been pretty much consistent on diet and exercise.
When I was 1st diagnosed as having RA at 20 yrs old, a knowledgeable nurse told me the best thing I could ever do for my RA was give up smoking. Nobody else ever said this and there was nothing within any RA information until years later. Im pleased to say that I gave up smoking, but Im now behind the times in Cardiovascular disease and RA!🙁
I'm interested to learn more
You can't 'stop smoking' if you don't smoke!
I exercise every daily not weekly!
I would love to have more exercise, but my lumbar spine and hip are too painful.
I try to keep fit as I was told that I was going over the line for diabities. It is very hard to keep fit as somedays I cannot get out of the house.
i better get more in line
