Swimming

[Sunshine-star5]

Hi everyone 🤗,

thinking of getting back to swimming......just wondering how other Rheumatoid sufferers get on ...ie do you find you get more infections .....after a year of this diagnosis -trying to get back to some kind of normality ....but don’t want to end up getting ill through swimming....if that makes sense 🤦‍♀️

[Lancaster1968]

I do aqua aerobics at my hospital hydro pool. It was organised many years ago, a club organised by a physio and RA patients, we pay a monthly fee and it’s very popular and we can do exercises we couldn’t do out of the beautiful warm water👍

[Lolabridge]

I have been for a couple of swims recently 🏊🏻, only gentle stuff though as legs still rather weak and I didn't want to overtire myself. I found breast stroke leg action rather uncomfortable for my knees and hips but hope that will improve. My rheumy nurse has referred me for hydrotherapy and I'm really looking forward to that so I can build up a programme of exercises to improve muscle tone. So far I've not picked up any infections through swimming. 🤞

[Kerensa21]

I asked rheumatology if going on biologics would stop me swimming as it worried me too re infections, but they said no, fine. Always careful e.g. flip flops to pool edge & in showers etc. & bar one hard to shift uti (which could be unrelated) been ok for a year of 3 x a week 🤞you could check with advice line I guess. I love it keeps me sane 😊

PS found the sea great for achey joints in this hot weather too; a friend with RD swears by his morning dip x

[RADOONE]

I swim 3 times a week and have got a better range of mobility it really helps best form of exercise we can do 😊😊😊

[summer32]

Warm pool and aqua aerobics i find this good

[IndigoDingo]

Love swimming, am bulinding up laps gradually. Do a mixture of breast-stroke, freestyle and swimming with a kick board to work my legs. The pool is a mineral pool which feels laovely. Also use the steam room and infra-red sauna which makes me feel awesome. I say go for it! Start slowly but water is one of the most gentle ways to buold strenght and fitness. Good luck!

[Funswim]

HI.I am a fellow sufferer and go swimming about 5 days a week.

I had back surgery ( rods in lower spine) in 2015 and was given hydrotherapy exercises afterwards.

I now go to the pool and do these same exercises, varying them each day and walking lanes and find it very beneficial. I can't do front crawl as my shoulders are too painful but find backstroke the easiest. I have found that if you mix up the exercises each time you don't end up being sore from too many repetitions of one exercise alone.

I think you can do a few things to prevent infection - I don't walk around the changing rooms in bare feet. I use plastic shoes and always wash the towel after every use. I think if you have a good shower in the sports centre after swimming, too, then you can stay well, after all, you could get sneezed on in a supermarket and catch a cold and most people don't go to the pool if they feel unwell.

I have met lots of people who go because they have had various types of surgery /sports injury or who are trying to lose weight etc and it has become a very friendly and sociable thing to do.I have met another lady with RA and we walk lanes together and have a nice chat! I leave the pool feeling refreshed and more relaxed and miss it when I can't go.

I wear neoprene wrist straps when I go in the pool as it gives my wrists an added bit of strength so that I can swim without my wrists throbbing and find that helps a lot.

I would say give it a go.It is a really positive thing to do and after a few times you are sure to meet the regulars and feel like being a part of a mini community!

[Beviejon1]

I did aqua aerobics for many years.Make very sure it's a clean pool.I was on orencia and ends up with a very bad infection.Pool was not that clean.I stopped going after that.

[Carol41]

Hi Sunshine, go for it! hydrotherapy is great.

[lolamylo]

For me the pool must be very warm skin to toddler pool temps. Gentle exercise as taught by physio in hydrotherapy hospital pool. My husband built me a hot tub which is fab when I can't go any further than the garden.

[Rals52]

I swim 3 times a week & love it. Lol even with RA & a few extra pounds, I turn into mermaid in the water. So far I haven’t picked up any infections or illnesses, I’m guessing being in chlorine water helps! Good luck & I hope you get some pain relief & fun swimming.

[Caza]

I do aquafit twice a week. If it isn’t on I swim. When away I swim twice a day. The only thing I’ve ever got from the pool 🏊‍♀️ is fitter!!

[CB13]

I’ve just started back swimming following some shoulder surgery and I love it, I can’t walk very well but in the water I can move easily and it’s improved my mood immensely as it’s a positive experience. I’ve taken it easy and adhered to the advice from my physio .

[DiHi]

I’ve just asked my Dr to refer me for hydrotherapy! I had it,successfully after 3back surgery’s,so know how wonderful it is to excerise in warm water,as sadly because of my RA,excerise is tricky and painful-🤞

[Gillian15649]

Only problem I have is getting wet costume off because of damage to hands and wrists. Tankini is easier or costume with laced front. Also if there is a jacuzzi that is great. I do a lot of exercises in that as well.

[Elpenor57]

Hi Sunshine-star5, I've been swimming weekly (well, most weeks!) for about 15 years, had RA for 36 years now!! I've had no problems with infections from the water/ changing rooms and I think its helped me to keep moving and maintain some muscle strength and cardio over the years. I enjoy it too - quite meditational, I'm not quick but can swim 64 lengths at a time - about a mile. I hope you enjoy it too. Like Kerensa21, I love a sea swim if its warmish water - I find very cold seawater hurts my joints. This summer was good when it was hot