Hi all. I’ve had RA for the past 7 years and been very well managed on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine with only one very minor flare in my shoulder last year.
For the last couple of months I have noticed whenever I engage in physical activity such as gardening, hoovering or even just a longer than usual walk I am in a lot of pain in my back buttocks and hamstrings for a few days. The pain is so bad sometimes I have to take co-codamol or else I can’t sleep.
I’m 52 years old. Used to swim and do a bit of light resistance training at gym pre pandemic but the only exercise I get now is I try to walk 1.5 miles each morning before my desk based job. I work full time.
Does anyone have any good advice on what to do to prevent this happening. It is making me feel miserable and like I can no longer do ‘normal’ activity. Tia Jools
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Moleymum
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Maybe it’s your back and its referred pain I have a pinched nerve the pain goes into my upper outside upper thighs down into just above my knee I’m the same hoovering and stuff really kicks it off.. it’s a miserable pain sorry I’m not much help physio gave me exercise to try and release it.. ring your gp.. it sound like it’s really getting to you..
I’ve had all sorts of additional pains since being unable to swim. Hopefully pools will re-open in a few days and we can get back to proper exercise! In the meantime, you could try a TENS on the lower back area.
It could be the desk seating arrangement causing something.... have you been fitted with a proper chair etc. A few stretches might help and asking for physio advice might support getting these right.
All the best
Ali
Yes I do . I haven’t found the answer yet. I also get it in my feet and ankles. Someone mentioned entheistis in a another post will speak to my rheumatologist
Could be the sciatic nerve? That can cause pain from back, through the bum and to leg. Consult your gp first but if it's that and not trapped but just irritated then some daily stretches can help
I have suffered with a lot of pain exercise wise in the last year - I am sure it is made worse by working from home at my desk and generally just not moving as much. What I have found that has helped is particular stretching exercises throughout the day. Some of these have come from the physiotherapist, some from looking online.
Hi Moley,Sorry to hear that you're experiencing this pain. It's good to check in with your GP to check it out first. I too have been getting post- exercise pain but in various areas, so I think it's triggering mini- flares as I've been monitoring it.
Have you increased your desk work since the pandemic? I only ask, as I've been working from home the whole time and so more sedentary than I usually am, as my job is not wholly desk based.
I have just received Microbreak (software). It comes on at regular intervals ( you can customise) and will give you exercises/stretches to do that last 1/2 mins. This might help.
I'm also getting a purposely fitted chair, desk and other equipment to aid me during the day. This was all arranged through Access to Work.
Also, my husband brought me a set of resistance bands, so I've started to use them at my desk and when watching TV. Not sure if you've used them but they can help with the lack of resistance exercise with gyms closed.
As others have said, stretching exercises can really, really help. I now do about 15 minutes every morning, and odd bits throughout the day. It was tough to force 15minutes into my daily routine, but the difference is remarkable.
Have you checked whether you have tight hamstrings? Lie on your back with one leg stretched out. Flex the other leg so thigh is at 90 degrees to your back and then try to straighten the whole leg, keeping the thigh at 90 degrees (can help to hold your thigh with your hands). The less far you can go, the tighter your hamstrings....
Sounds like sciatica to me, pinched nerve somewhere along your spine, pain felt in buttocks and down leg. I went to my GP, with similar symptoms, did some local physio, which didn't help. Then I asked the Rheumatology dept at the hospital to refer me to the hospital physio department and they did. Turned out it was sciatica but caused by the RA - small cyst on my spine. Proper physiotherapy at the hospital, and exercises to do at home every day since have held it at bay. Good luck!
I get that sometimes - extremely sore muscles - like I had a heavy-duty workout when I didn't. I usually increase my cardio daily and that helps. Something about the blood flowing. Not sure if that's the right solution for everyone, though. Works for me
nras.org.uk/resource/exerci... link above is for a series of short exercise videos you can comfortably do in your own home. All the people demonstrating them are people with RA with varying abilities and joint damage so do take a look. The resistance and strengthening exercises may be worth a go. Hope this helps
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