Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises?: I was wondering if... - NRAS

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises?

hearty1 profile image
23 Replies

I was wondering if there are any gentle exercises that I can do in bed to try to help me before I try to get up in the morning? The pain is horrendous and it wakens me during the night. I've been prescribed Morphine and Hydroxychloroquine. Much appreciated for any advice. Many thanks.

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hearty1
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23 Replies

It might be worth asking your GP or rheumatologist to refer you for s9me physio and ask for a routine you can do when you waken up before you get out of bed.

I do Pilates with a teacher who is a physio twice a week and walk for about an hour every day.

I found this link which looks ok prevention.com/fitness/g204...

Things like stretching your legs and rotating your ankles a few times in each direction plus the shoulder drops, either one arm at a time or both together, turn your head slowly and gently from side to side would help loosen you up. Whatever you do, do it gently and don’t overdo it, you can always build up the number of repeats you do as you get better at it

The link says to use a pillow under your head but I don’t use a pillow either in bed or doing floor exercises. When you look up your head should be in a position where you are looking at the ceiling straight above your head rather than behind or in front of yourself so you may need something under your head.

You would be better to try and find a physio to get yourself started though.

Good luck though and well done for realising that gentle exercise first thing will help your body for the day to come.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toFruitandnutcase

Thank you very much for your detailed reply! That's exactly what I've been wondering. I'm experiencing terrible severe pain in different areas during the night. I have spinal stenosis too but I'm just wanting to try and help myself. Unfortubately I'm unable to attend a physio. I'll have a look at the link you kindly sent. Many thanks 👍

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply tohearty1

It might also be worth looking at this website melioguide.com

Margaret is a Canadian physiotherapist who deals with osteoporotic patients, she is a very sensible and sympathetic person and I feel confident in doing any exercises she suggests. She covers all sorts of subjects and although osteoporisis features highly anything you can do with osteoporosis would be fine for arthritis.

I have sero negative inflammatory arthritis and also take hydroxychloroquine. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2020 when I fell off my bed (freak accident!) and fractured both bones in my wrist - then in 2021 I managed to fracture my sacrum - another really freak accident. At that point I was looking at mobility scooters as I didn’t think I would ever walk again but I do.

I have the most wonderful Pilates teacher who is a physiotherapist and who specialises in osteoporotic patients - we are all about my age, I’m 76 and to be honest if I didn’t exercise - our exercises are basically gentle stretches - often hard work but never painful, teachers mantra is ‘If something hurts, even if I’ve told you to do it and even if you’ve done it before- stop doing it’. If I didn’t do Pilates and exercise I know I would be in agony, it’s exercise - even at the level I do it - that keeps me moving.

Good luck with it, wanting to try like you are is half the battle.😊

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toFruitandnutcase

Thank you, I will have a look at the link you sent. The more information I can try the better! I've got to help myself as best I can. I'm your age too.

So you don't have the rheumatoid factor. I have. Oh dear that was terrible you having two freak accidents! Fortunately I don't have Osteoporosis. But have Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Spondylosis in C4, C5, C6. Lumber Spinal Stenosis from L2 to S1 as well as Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have autoimmune conditions and heart failure. Looks like I was front in the queue when all this was being handed out! We need a positive attitude and must do what we can to keep going!

Best wishes 💐

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply tohearty1

In some areas your GP can arrange for an nhs physio to come to your home to show you some exercises.

I had no idea that was available but recently after a bad fall when a friend couldn’t get out to visit a ohysio….that was arranged,

You could always ask if that is available where you live,

sunnyweek profile image
sunnyweek

Versus Arthritis have a lot of exercises. I find them very good. I do several before I get up especially legs as I'm trying to strengthen them along with glutes.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply tosunnyweek

Thank you for the info . I'll have a look 👍

BoneyC profile image
BoneyC

Can you refer yourself to physio or MSK triage might be what they call it these days, otherwise ask your GP for a referral.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toBoneyC

Thank you for your reply. Many years ago GP referred me to consultant Rheumatologist, I was prescribed Hydroxychloroquine. Through the years this condition has gradually got worse with the other health conditions I have to deal with too. GP prescribed Morphine which is a definite help. The pain can be horrendous and it can waken me. I'm now wondering if there are some gentle exercises I can do before I try to get up. Best wishes 🏵️

Haz58 profile image
Haz58

Hi hearty. Are you still under a Rheumatologist? Sounds like you've just been hydroxy for a long time. Maybe you need to be seen again and possibly get better or extra meds for your RA.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toHaz58

Thank you for your reply. I feel at the moment I'm managing to cope during the day with the morphine, paracetamol if required and the Hydroxychloroquine. The main problem is pain during the night that can waken me. Also in the morning I can't move with the pain. That's why I was wondering if there was some gentle exercises I could try to help me manage to get out of bed. Best wishes 🌻

StormySeas profile image
StormySeas

There are some brilliant replies here but in addition I’d push for an urgent referral to rheumatology. It sounds as though your symptoms have increased and it might be the case that a drug change might be called for.

Worth exploring anyway, especially if you haven’t seen a rheumatologist for a while.

In the meantime, hope the exercises help 🌞

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toStormySeas

Thank you StormySeas.

Haz58 profile image
Haz58 in reply toStormySeas

I agree StormySeas. Lack of proper meds does horrendous things to your joints.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toHaz58

Yes, some people don't understand . Thank you. 🌻

OSTEOARTHRITISRA profile image
OSTEOARTHRITISRA

I'd concentrate on the right meds to get thi under control ,a review needed maybe ,and lack of sleep does have a big impact on the day ahead, for some it is long term and meds etc needed to get under control to an acceptable level ,also for some it can take an hour or 2 to function ,id go back to gp asap even today as pain is horrendous and urgent maybe for medication reiviews for pain and sleep meds maybe

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toOSTEOARTHRITISRA

Yes, thank you for your reply. Very much appreciated. 🌻

Jacojudy303 profile image
Jacojudy303

As others have mentioned a meds review seems to be the priority. I was walking on crutches until mine was optimised and now I'm back running again. Water based activity can be very beneficial and may be helpful as you can mobilise the joints without impact. Also the hydostatic pressure is quite soothing. If you can get to a pool and do some gentle exercise in the shallow end it might provide some relief. Wishing you well.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toJacojudy303

Thank you for replying. I'll take on board all the info. I wish you well too. 🌻

Lolabridge profile image
Lolabridge

All RA sufferers should have an annual review with their Rheumatologist to check efficacy of medication in keeping RA under control to avoid unnecessary damage to joints or organs. It could be a face to face, telephone or video appointment but it should take place. If you haven’t had one then contact your team and request one!

The new PIFU system puts the onus on the patient to request help/advice and it seems some patients have been put onto PIFU without being informed!!

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply toLolabridge

Thank you for your reply. I do have an annual review with the Consultant Rheumatologist. Last year when I wakened in the morning I didn't have the pain every morning and it wasn't so bad as it is now. I hadn't heard of PIFU so I've looked it up. I had no idea. But when I was at the hospital last year I was told they would be in touch this year. I wish you well. 🌻

stbernhard profile image
stbernhard

Hello Hearty, you have good advice already from the lovely people on here, but you can never have enough.

I this link looks good to me.

creakyjoints.org/living-wit...

I would also highly recommend that you have a look at the NRAS SMILE self management module. nras.org.uk/smile/ It has a section with various way of exercising as an everyday activity once you're out of bed.

I hope you'll find something that will help you.

hearty1 profile image
hearty1 in reply tostbernhard

Thank you for your help with this. Yes the more help the better. I'll have a look at the links you kindly sent. Many thanks!

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