Exercise whilst having a flare

[PurplePiggies]

Hi, some advice please, is it ok to continue with working out while having a flare or is it best to rest and started again once the flare passes. Thank you

[SnazzyD]

Best to rest? A 1000% yes. Of course it depends what you mean by “workout” of course but it suggests that your body is being put through its paces. If you are flaring, your body isn’t happy with life so putting through physical stress generally isn’t a good thing.

However, it may depends also on how your flare showing itself. Do you know what might have triggered it? How are you responding to this flare dose wise?

[PurplePiggies in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi, thank you for answering ☺️ I am having pain across the top of my shoulders and neck, I have just dropped from 8mg to 7mg of prednisolone.

[SnazzyD in reply to PurplePiggies]

Did it coincide with the drop in dose from 8-7mg? Or have you reduced in spite of the pain?

[PurplePiggies in reply to SnazzyD]

Coincided with the drop down

[SnazzyD in reply to PurplePiggies]

Sounds like you’ve gone below the dose you need to quell the inflammation you currently have. I should have asked how soon after the drop did the symptoms occur? Can you identify a trigger if you’ve been fine up to now? Have your workouts been absolutely fine too?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PurplePiggies]

Sounds like me between 7 and 6mg - 7mg absolutely no problems with arms, at 6mg after about 2 to 3 weeks my biceps and shoulders start to ache until I can't use my arms - not very practical! A couple of days at a higher dose (10mg) and back to 7mg and it is gone.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with Snazzy - if you are in pain, your muscles are telling you something. If you exercise on top, you are more likely to develop DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), it could be worse and take a lot longer to resolve.

[S4ndy]

Please do not exercise during a flare. As a retired exercise professional this would be my advice. The micro trauma caused by exercise will take longer to recover which is not ideal when you have PMR.

[WarmVelvet in reply to S4ndy]

Hi. I was on 4mg and circuit training , which caused my upper arms , shoulders and neck to ache. Then I got a chest infection and went back up to 5mg. Not exercised for two weeks and the pain has gone. I feel it’s not advisable to exercise during a flare as it will take longer to recover. Hope this is helpful.