Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I thought it would be a good thing for us to compare notes on how we go about getting our energy back. I will tell you what i do but i confess, it's way too slow to suit me.

From barely able to move...I start when i'm sitting in front of the tv. I do leg lifts and arm lifts as much as i'm able (lifts, twirls, whatever will move). Of course, this is on my couch so its nap and then up and stretch and legs lifts and back to napping. Then its walking (or something like walking) around the house. Lots of vitamins and rest and stretch and rest and stretch. If all goes well, i go somewhere like Wal-Mart or to the grocery store but only for a short time. If all goes well, then i'm ready to go thru the yard and check and clean and fill the bird feeders and after about 2 weeks of steady naps and piddling around - i'm ready to work out for about 10 minutes. Preferably on a treadmill or eliptical machine. Then i can add 5 minute increments til i almost feel human. THAT is if all goes well. I know that is slow but if i speed up the process, i end up sick.

How about the rest of you?? Do you have an energy routine?

Darn if I know how to truly increase energy.

Best, I can tell with me is:

1) adequate meds, including pain meds

2) stick to "set times", especially on good days

3) lots of stretching, and easy exercises (when able)

4) drink equate(or similiar) to maintain balanced meals

5) have a thankful heart

6) dream

7) stay active with all medicial care

8) recieve good medicial care

9) never stress over little things or unchangable things

10) hope and faith that good things will happen even in bad times

Energy is precious. We learn how much when it becomes so scarce.

Hugs

This has been my struggle today... energy... there's been NONE today. I've been in bed all day, haven't even combed my hair, and still dragging after napping and doing NOTHING.

Yesterday I felt find and the 2 days before... but I guess I just started to feel like I was like I used to be and it hit me like a ton of bricks today.

I'm very frustrated today. My daughter's graduation from college is on Saturday and it involved a lot of walking to / from the spirit arena and sitting for about 3 hours and then more walking to leave... lots of walking... and then getting to a restaurant, waiting for an hour to be seated,...

I'm exhausted just thinking about the whole day....

It is so frustrating to have some really good days and then...WHAM!...the next thing you know is utter exhaustion.

And you are like, "What happened?"

I know that my good days will turn bad and my bad days will turn good. Still, it takes me by suprise.

I so wish I could choose when they happen.

Sadly, I can't.

Maybe, you will wake up Sat and be having not only a good but greay day dear.

Hugs

This is a "usual" day for me. I get to bed about 4am. Wake up grudgingly by 2 pm. Stretch what I can. Transfer to chair and roll out to recliner. Watch TV for 2 hours waiting for all meds, including pain meds to kick in. May or may not be able to pour myself a cup of coffee. I try to walk 10 feet everyday. Try to keep hands moving with computer or anything else. Splints on most of the day.Help a little with dinner prep, MIL does 90% of it. Takes me over an hour but I load the dishwasher and run it. Take a shower at least twice a week as long as someone is close by to help. Help daughter wit homework. That's my day!!!! Really fun huh!!! If I go out to a doctor appointment it takes two days to get back to my "normal" day routine.I am still able to get out of bed each and every day and hold on to that ferociously. When it is time to draw up my MTX someone else has to do it, but I inject myself if at all possible.

Hi All,

I had a nap but now i'm up because, when i don't get much exercise, my heart beats funny. Anyway, i wanted to tell you about what i dreamed during my nap.

I dreamed we were all at some kind of resort where they fixed each of us just the right foods to help us be healthier AND they had this olympic-sized indoor heated pool. I don't know how we got in and out of it but we got some exercise without all the stress on our joints, or at least much less stress. The last thing i remember was the cabana boys bringing marguaritas.

I think that may just mean i need to think about something else for awhile but it was a nice dream

Love your dream, count me in!!!!!

Oh bearlie....what a wonderful dream.

love it!

Hugs

Has anyone tried aquatic therapy? Right now, i don't think i could swim 2 feet but if i could work up to it - i'd be willing to be a guinea pig.

I tried two sessions of it. Each time it took me 3 days to get back to my normal. The water temperature was at 97 degrees and I had been warned that it may zap all my stamina the next day because of it. Boy did it. After the second session I had enough and said no more. They had me work on range of motion mostly and that went OK. It was being drained of every ounce of energy for those 3 days after that I couldn't take. The Arthritis Foundation does recommend that people with RA use a pool that is on the cool side to preserve stamina, but that was not available to me. I have a YMCA near me but they do not have a lift to get people in and out.