Swimming

[ptm2018]

Is swimming everyday a good idea with PMR as the water is gentle?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably depends on your shoulders. I couldn't swim - but I did aquafit at my level to start with and built up gradually. You can adapt that to dodgy bits more easily!

[ConventCassie]

I wrote a post on Swimming. It was a shocker, but I’m gradually building up my strength and number of laps. The back stroke is easiest for me. Very slowly I’m adding other strokes.

[ptm2018 in reply to ConventCassie]

Thank you. The back stroke works for me as well. I also use a noodle in the pool and do a tow the boat exercise. It helps my thighs.

[yogabonnie]

I think there is nothing better in the world than being in the water. PMR or no PMR.

[DianeA1 in reply to yogabonnie]

I second that!!

[GOOD_GRIEF]

As long as you can safely enter and exit the water, and have enough stamina to be able to get to shallow water when necessary, swimming should be great exercise.

I could swim before I could walk. Last summer, I had to stay out of the pool because while I could dive in (and I float in the bathtub), my legs were so stiff and painful that I was afraid I couldn't climb the ladder to get out. After a lifetime of swimming in the ocean up the beach 2.5 miles in each direction just for breakfast, and sometimes again for lunch, I couldn't even walk across the sand. It was the first summer of my life when I didn't go to the beach.

I went last week. Hoorray! Walking in the soft sand is a challenge, but that will get easier as I do more of it. But I won't be doing any ocean swimming this year. I know I'm just not strong enough for the surf here, and I won't endanger someone else coming out to get me. But we re-did the pool so there's a staircase at the shallow end, and that's working out just fine. I feel great after doing laps. I freestyle, backstroke, sidestroke and breast stroke. No butterfly yet. Since I can float without moving (no kidding), I'm not worried about swimming in our pool at all.

As long as you're careful getting in and out, are mindful of the depth of the water and your ability to get to a safe place, and watch you energy levels, you'll be fine.

[ConventCassie]

Yes. I forgot. Getting out...I still get wobbly trying to walk at first, sometimes.

[nickm001]

While the swimming is probably the best exercise for the whole body, it might be a good idea to do it every second day, to let the muscle recover. THis is true especially if you are doing serious swimming (non-stop laps for more then 20-30 minutes). If you are just " hanging aground" , then I see no issue doing it every day.

[ConventCassie in reply to nickm001]

Good to know. Because of the water resistance is it more like a “strengthening” exercise? I’m up to 20 minutes & did find I was more tired doing the 2 days in a row.

[PMRCanada]

I find swimming and water aerobics to be the best way to exercise, especially since my diagnosis of PMR. For a while before I was diagnosed, I was not able to do the front crawl or back stroke due to pain and stiffness in my shoulders.

Now that I am on Prednisone I am taking advantage of being in the pool as often as I can. I am fortunate to have a pool in our backyard that we opened last week. As well, the community center behind our house offers 3 types of water activities that are fabulous (deep water exercises - I don't wear a swimmer's belt because I have enough buoyancy, shallow water aerobics, and under water cycling.....yes a spin class in the water with bicycles that are weighted and sit on the bottom of the pool). All of these type of water activities are so great for me because the movement is fluid (like Thai Chi), and my body is not bearing the full weight (which really helps given I have chronic knee issues that are awaiting surgery).

So swimming and water activities, combined with 3 or so walks on land per week (on flat surfaces) have become my new routine. I've even lost 16 pounds in the last 11 weeks or so (despite starting Prednisone on May 1st).

Once again, with any advice given, you must listen to your own body and gauge how the activity is impacting you and your condition. I tend to push too hard and pay for it later, but am learning patience and balance in these early months with PMR.

Good luck!

[ptm2018 in reply to PMRCanada]

That is just wonderful! Good for you 😀

[Maggiemudshark]

Hi I swim three or four times a week now, I am a US Master swimmer and swim all four strokes now but I had to work slowly up to 3,000 yds. I do rest after each workout . I can now swim sprints as well. Was diagnosed Nov. 2017 and am tapering to 11 mgs. Swimming helps me sleep well but I had to begin at a slow pace and work up to 3,000 yds it took me about six months to get there. Patience and consistency are key. When I first swam in January 2018 I could not get both arms out of water for the freestyle so I swambreast stroke for a while. I listen to my body and do not push myself too hard. I raced my first open water competition two weeks ago at Lake De Valle in CA. I placed third in my age group.

[ConventCassie in reply to Maggiemudshark]

So what does 3000 yards translate into for an Olympic size pool?

[ptm2018]

Wow that is wonderful and good for you 😃