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To exercise or not to exercise, that's the question
Got PMR a year ago, just weaned off Prednisone. While in full-on PMR, exercise was almost impossible. Now I am determined to get back into some kind of shape, but I feel PMR lurking in my body, ready to spring at me again. I’ve become quite weak and stiff. Regardless, I’m stretching, walking, and lifting modest weights. Also working with a foam balance pad to strengthen legs. But is it counterproductive? Could exercise actually lead to flare-ups? I dont know if I’m harming or helping.
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Exercise is helpful in maintaining overall strength and flexibility. I do gentle yoga, a little Tia Chi and try to do a gentle gym work out.
Always be mindful of the pain.
Build strenght with weights suports bone density, important as prednisone can cause osteoporosis. Good luck
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5 ReactionsI can also recommend gentle shiatsu massages as they relax the muscles. And even jacuzzis can help. Next to yoga, tai chi etc.
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2 ReactionsHi @elsbeth, I had PMR and GCA twice. My PMR started after I overexercised. I was walking backwards and injured my ankle. A couple of days later, I had incredible pain from the neck down. My aunt also experienced PMR/GCA after she injured her back moving furniture.
I do exercise still, moderately, - walking, Dr. Fishman's Yoga (12 Poses vs Osteoporosis) and some very light weights. Nothing extreme. I haven't had any problems.
You don't want to do anything that will put your immune system into overdrive again.
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1 ReactionI can tell you I feel better after I exercise. I am going on month 8 of prednisone. Down to 4.5mg. I have not stopped running and lifting. Yes, the fatigue is bad, but I push through it. I don't know how exercise could hurt. Ask your rheumatologist.
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4 Reactions@cyndiefromnc Same. Helps the morning stiffness.
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1 ReactionExercise will help you to slowly rebuild that strength and range of motion. A little extra thing I do before even getting out of bed is Progressive Muscle Relaxation, it is intended to be a stress reliever and yet it promotes blood flow to wherever you tense and relax, which actually helps with the stiffness and I don't have as much trouble getting up as when I don't do it. So funny that the acronym is also PMR... PMR for PMR...
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1 ReactionAfter being diagnosed with PMR, I feel like I can't trust my body. It's like I don't know if the pain I might feel after being active is from PMR or old injuries. Since PMR causes bilateral pain, if it's on one side, like sciatica or only my left shoulder I'm thinking historical injury.
My advice to you would be going very very slowly taking one little exercise at a time and see how it works out for you. Do not push the envelope ever it’s not worth it!!! The bottom line is your body will tell you what you can do and what you can’t do what works for you and what doesn’t work for you. My very best wishes to you going forward please remember to take one step at a time it can’t hurt.
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4 ReactionsFor me exercise is good. Yes I do have some pain, but it is better than no exercise.
@jfannarbor
Exactly! I think exercise should be encouraged rather than to say "take it easy." My physical therapist only says if it hurts don't power through the pain. Pain just means you shouldn't exercise so intensely and pain doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise
Exercise is one of those things that is easy to less exercise and hard to do more exercise.
The weird thing about exercise is that the more exercise you do the easier it gets when it becomes part of a daily routine. One exercise session and done doesn't do much good and hurts the next day. When you continue to do exercise every day it hurts less.