Getting Through the Pain

Last weekend, I experienced my first RA flare since March. Flare can be quite painful and I often feel like I have been run over by a truck. Usually, the change in seasons, summer to fall, is prime time for me. In the past, I have missed work because I am so exhausted that I cannot climb a flight of stairs and in so much pain that walking is out of the question. Sometimes, the pain has been so great that I have to use steroids to feel like I can function.

Part of the difficulty in having RA is that it is one step forward and two steps back. I would get on a fitness routine during my remission periods, which is in the warmer months, only to have problems when the weather changes. I would always feel like I was back the square one again. It can be very depressing. And we all know what happens when we are depressed, we eat!!! Then, I would be scared to work out, even after the flare ended. The last thing I wanted to do was move. I mean, it freakin' hurts. Plus, it kind of sounds counter productive. But the truth is, moving is the best thing. Not, running marathons, but some kind of easy movement. Slow walking on the treadmill, yoga or stretching, anything to lube up the joints.

Thankfully, all the hard work I have put in since January with exercise and strength training made it easier to get through the flare. I got plenty of rest over the weekend and I did not work out. On Monday, I cut my workout in half with respect to speed and time. Yesterday, I was able to do my regular treadmill workout. Today, I walked my dog, which is a workout ( I have a 70 lb German Shepard-Lab). I will hold off on strength training until next week, since weight lifting requires repetitive joint motion.

I have written in my blog about the challenges of having a chronic illness and how in can impact your life. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that I have to control the illness and not let it control me.

Tags: Stress and Obstacles