I work with several rheumatologists and the first thing that they tell patients first and foremost is to loose weight.  Try to find other lower impact forms of exercise to help with the weight loss (this may also help your back problems).  Glucosamine and chondroitin works well for a lot of people with arthritis.  Also if you back is truly out of alignment a chiropractor can defenitely help.


Good luck!

Good advice from the other posters.

My wife has had Rhuematoid Arthritis for about ten years now.  She doesn't run, but walks (mostly on a treadmill) and also does a regular (three days a week) aqua aerobics class.  She keeps her weight under control by dieting.

I was diagnosed with RA in my early 20s, but really only noticed problems with my hands & feet.  Now fast forward about 15 years and I can tell that it's in my other joints.  Of course, over the last few years I've put on 30 pounds and I'm pretty sure that's made things worse. 

I joined a "rookie running group" and my progress is slow - but I'm seeing improvement and have lost 10 pounds so far. What I've discovered (and this group is very supportive) is that I can't increase my speed/distance on a "typical" schedule. Now that I've got that into my head - I'm having fun and staying motivated. I also stretch ALOT and I carry gloves with me (my hands are affected by Raynauld's). I was also able to decrease the meds (woohooo!)

Now for the first time in my life I'm enjoying running.

I have severe osteoarthritis in my right hip. Doc says he will be giving me a new hip probably in a year or two when it gets too painful. Excercising , keeping active and keeping weight down are very important. I take glucosamine chondrointin with msm, Dont really know if it helps or not. I cant run as much as I used to because of the pain on alot of days so I use the elliptical trainer more. Good leg motion and aerobic training without the impact of running and irritation of the hip joint. Good Luck

  Chris

http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum3/HTML/044085.shtml[/URL" target="_blank">

There really wasn't much to the thread. Just me complaining about my RA.lol

I am in the mist of a huge flareup. I haven't been able to run much in the last week and ended up having to have an 2 hr IV treatment at my specialist office.

Hope you are feeling well.



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Marly
Runner with RA
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I have severe osteoarthristis in both hips (i am 45) . It was diagnosed two years ago and it is getting progressively worse. I recently completed the Marine Corps Marathon in severe pain. After mile 14 it was toture all the way.  It was my goal to run 3:30 and I finished in 3:54.  There is no way I can reach this goal with all this pain. My training runs are inefficient because  I am just trying to deal with pain, not performance. I take 800mg Motrin and other supplements but they really don't help much.  I can do four miles at a good pace but after that, it is hell on the road. This is my last season. I am pushing to complete an Ironman in Nov. My doctor advises against running but I am going for it.  I am stratgically planning the run, doing alot of pool running, and getting rady for the pain.  I am getting Cortizone shots to see if they will help me pull this off.  But after this I know it's over.  I will continue to cycle (it is hard to get off and on the bike) and swim but nothing excites me like the run. I hope they find a cure soon.

Good luck!!!

Thanks, I have looked into resurfacing and it sounds like  the way to go. One problem, my provider (KAiser) doesn;t do it. I am trying to figure out where to do it and how can i afford it.

If you don't mind a few questions:  did your insurance cover it or did you have to come out of pocket? How long did it take for you to recoup?  Would you suggest I do both hips at the same time?

Are you running at a fast pace or taking it easy?

thanks