PMR and exercise: What helps you?

Posted by jcaffrey47 @jcaffrey47, Jul 17, 2021

We are told that we have to stay active but what does that mean? This issue became very real for me when I attempted to swim the crawl stroke in the swimming pool. I was feeling pretty good at the time. The prednisone had kicked in and I swam the equivalent of two laps. The next day my shoulders were on fire and I was suffering a full flare; my first. Maybe everyone reading this will say that I was foolish to do any exercise that involve my shoulders and that I should limit my exercise to other parts of the body like walking or maybe biking. Let’s start a dialogue and find out what exercises work for all of us.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

It took me 12 mths to taper off prednisone following accidentally being on 35mgs for 6 mths, I felt wonderful i actually felt "normal" then my pregnant daughter was struggling to pack to move into her first home with her husband, I packed like a professional worked my but off but next day i was in so much pain i thought it was muscle pain due to sedentary life for 3 yrs but it did not go away. Back on prednisone and a little wiser now! I have yet to find a safe option for exercise so will watch this thread with great interest!

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I decided to try Tai Chi based a blog I read from a while back. So far so good. Here’s a link to the website I’m using to get started. It includes 5 minute daily videos.

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I enjoy practicing both yoga and Tai Chi, usually yoga four times weekly and Tai Chi just once. Ideally, both nearly daily would be best. I walk two miles when no yoga is scheduled. Yoga can be as gentle or as tough as you want it to be, from simply breathing slowly and deeply to a vigerous series of sun salutations (think pushups). Tai Chi is very slow and gentle using isometrics to build strength.

Check your local area or YMCA for classes ... if nothing is possible, then go on YouTube and find Yoga with Adrienne ... she has posted dozens of free enjoyable yoga practices.

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My pmr shows itself in my shoulders and neck. I have been on prednisone for about 15 months now and am currently at 4 1/2 mgs daily. I walk. I walk a minimum of 5 miles every day and if my schedule allows it I have walked up to 9 miles a day. I feel really good at the moment and am tapering slowly. Have considered starting back with my weights but think I will hold off on that a bit.

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@susan63

My pmr shows itself in my shoulders and neck. I have been on prednisone for about 15 months now and am currently at 4 1/2 mgs daily. I walk. I walk a minimum of 5 miles every day and if my schedule allows it I have walked up to 9 miles a day. I feel really good at the moment and am tapering slowly. Have considered starting back with my weights but think I will hold off on that a bit.

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Keep up the good work!

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one thing that helps me is message-run messager over my shoulders morning and evening and it has made a great deal of difference.

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@tnquilter

one thing that helps me is message-run messager over my shoulders morning and evening and it has made a great deal of difference.

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Has anyone tried a vibration plate to help reduce inflammation?

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@novabill

Has anyone tried a vibration plate to help reduce inflammation?

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@novabill, I have been thinking about getting one but not for inflammation. I wanted to see if it will help increase bone density and also help with the flabby skin after my weight loss 🙂 @tsc has one and may be able to share information with you. I did find an article on the topic that might be helpful in explaining how it works for inflammation.

"Whole body vibration appears to improve many symptoms of type II diabetes mellitus, wherein glucose and destructive inflammation shoots up. The procedure helps the body use glucose as an energy source, and at the same time, modify the microbiome to fight inflammation, a new study says." --- Whole body vibration helps reduce inflammation, thanks to the gut microbiome: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190806/Whole-body-vibration-helps-reduce-inflammation-thanks-to-the-gut-microbiome.aspx

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Thanks for the response…I’m seriously considering buying one…I have PCP appointment this week where I’ll discuss and shoot an email to my Rheumy on the use of vibration plate…BTW my daughter had liver inflammation which is now gone after using a vibration plate - coincidence? Who cares she’s better…

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@novabill

Has anyone tried a vibration plate to help reduce inflammation?

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I have no idea what a vibration plate is.

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