Pauline

[mamap1]

I have thyroid problems,osteoarthritis,and fibromyalgia,any hints on how to keep fit when you are in constant pain.

[Redditch]

Yoga.. remember fibromyalgia is not pulled or damaged muscles you won't make it worse by exercising or stretching.

Are you on enough medication?

Do you get outside in the sun?

If your blood levels of. TSH, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, folate, and ferritin are all good you might find it goes away completely

We're all different in exactly the right levels for us to feel good but personally I like TSH under 3. Vitamin D at around 100 and the others in the top half of the range.

Amitriptyline is often prescribed for fibromyalgia and some people find it useful.

Personally it made me feel very weird and I didn't like it

I have no pain at all if my bloods are good and when I do I can look back over the last three days and see a pattern of poor sleep not enough water and rubbish diet

Keep up your fluids, and good luck

[Hectorsmum2]

I have similar problems and have found gentle regular swims really helpful. They did cause some sleepless nights with pain before my body, got used to the exercise but I can now swim for an hour most days and do some very gentle weights in the gym with out problems. iT is a matter of increasing very slowly.

[AKatieD]

HRT took away the osteoarthritis pain so I can exercise pain free. I don't have fibro so not sure what will help there but @Redditch has some good advice there.

[bikebabe]

tai chi very good for mind and body

[Sparklingsunshine]

I have Fibro and mild arthritis in my knees, low impact exercise, cycling, rowing, swimming are all good. Acqua aerobics is good as you are exercising in water so its far less stress on joints. Pilates or yoga are excellent choices as well.

And using weights will increase muscle mass and take some of the strain off joints. I found lifting weights extremely good, you can start with cans of beans bottles of water or cheap resistance bands.

[suedasher]

Similar issues. I took up pilates on a reformer bed. Great results with lots of strengthening of muscles. Thought I wouldn’t like it but actually really enjoy it.

[Louis2305]

Definitely swimming and aqua aerobics, The water really helps so you get a good work out without the stress on the joints.

[Sharoosz]

Just plain walking is one of the best things, especially if it gets you out into the sunshine, increasing Vit. D levels and feeling better. You can start with short walks, do what you can handle and do more when that gets easy. Try to go daily if you can or at least a few times a week. I like Pilates too but make sure you get a good instructor who give various 'levels' for various moves (or sign up for a beginner class). Some were too hard for me but my instructor always gave us an easier way. She also checked if new people had any previous injuries or illnesses. Pilates is good for core strength. I swim too but have had back pain and apparently the breast stroke and butterfly are not good for people with lower back pain. I walk in the water to one end and swim on my back for the return. Hope you find something that works for you!