Movement as important as meds?
RA > 30 years. I have been on biological, NSAIDs, Hydroxychloroquine, opiods, medical marijuana along with the host of pharmaceutical drugs. I find it mandatory to do stretching and range of motion exercises to start the day. I am fortunate to live in a Florida apartment complex with a pool. I have webbed gloves and do modified PT exercises in the water. Movement is as important as the meds. Do you agree?
I definitely agree that movement is important as medication! I feel without some of my medications I wouldn't be able to function enough to exercise freely as I would like. But I feel even walking and stretching, some type of movement also keeps flares, stress and progression at bay. It all works together. Having my own pool to swim in is a dream. How awesome you have that at your disposal. Thank you so much for sharing! -Effie, team member
Agree completely! However, my problem is that I do too much. It's been difficult to find that line of just enough without crossing over into flare territory... I do swim in the summer, I live in the North East.. but I have a TON of mobility exercises and yoga workouts that I can do without crossing the line.
Hi
. I know many here understand the problem of finding the line between doing what you need and doing too much (see this article from Nan on setting boundaries, including exercise: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/setting-boundaries). I'm glad you have found some exercise programs you can do without crossing the line. Best, Richard (Team Member)
Hi
. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), was diagnosed at age two, 45 years ago - before modern treatments, with the damage to show for it. She has used a wheelchair since childhood. That said, she gets in an hour to an hour and half of exercise a day. Being in a chair, she needs a lot of exercise to make up for less general movement throughout the day. Movement is key. Like you, she finds nothing matches exercise in the pool. Our patient leaders have written quite a number of articles on exercise. Given that it is the new year, this article from Daniel on starting exercise as a New Year's resolution is a good place for people to start: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/new-year-resolutions-exercise. Best, Richard (Team Member) 
If I could go back in time to when I was first seeking a diagnosis, there are 2 pieces of advice I would give myself.
1. Seek a new doctor sooner - there are great ones in your future.
2. Find a way to gently move everyday - even when all you want to do is lie on the couch.
9 years into my RA journey, I seem to finally have found an effective drug treatment plan. My joint symptoms, fatigue and sleep are improving. I still have pain. I get tendinitis easily. I believe much of it is due to de-conditioning, with loss of flexibility and strength, from years of uncontrolled RA inflammation and inactivity. I am relying on years of PT and Adaptive Yoga classes to very slowly increase my fitness. For me, this means gentle pool, elliptical, yoga and PT exercises.
I have to accept that the key is baby steps and focusing on adding just one modality at a time, with very slow increases in intensity. And celebrate the successes!!! I’m so pleased I can climb one flight of stairs, up and down, with alternating steps, not using the handrail. First time in years! I’m very close to my next goal: 20 minutes, at a slow pace, on the elliptical. I started a few weeks ago with just 5 minutes.
So, yes, I agree! Meds + Activity! And throw in a little massage or acupuncture to reward and comfort those muscles. With Hope, Jo
