Pool Exercise Increases Pain - Arthritis Message Board

Keyivory · 07-23-2002, 12:10 PM

Hello. I'm new to this board. I have had FMS for 20 years, during the past 5 years I have been diagnosed with arthritis as well. I'm 40 years old. I have been exercising in a friend's pool and find that it is making me hurt worse. I can hardly move the next day. The exercises I do are not taxing or strenuous. I am so frustrated. I continue to exercise, but can hardly move the next day. Does anyone else have this problem with exercising in the pool?

Jay Tor · 07-23-2002, 05:49 PM

The pain could be due to the fact that your joints have to work harder in the water. There's much greater resistance [work] involved pushing water than pushing air.

Another thing to check is the water temp; cold can stiffen joints.

Keyivory · 07-23-2002, 08:34 PM

Thank you for replying. It is too painful for me to perform the exercises out of the water and my mobility is greatly reduced. The water temperature is usually 82-84 degrees Farenheit, since the pool is covered with a solar blanket much of the time. So, I can rule out water that is too cold. I couldn't tolerate it. In the past, water exercise has been good therapy for me.

I have had fibromyalgia for 20 years and have been diagnosed with arthritis for the last 5 years, but test negative for RA. I have been through the gamut of NSAIDs and my stomach no longer tolerates them very well. Vioxx and Celebrex have sulfanomides which I am allergic to. I did give Vioxx a try, but it made me swell a considerable amount. I have more or less quit going to doctors.

Nothing seems to help much and they do not want to prescribe pain meds because I am so young (40).
I grin and bear it until I can't stand the pain before going to see a doctor and then I am put on a short round of steroids with a big fat loading dose shot. This helps, but it is only a temporary fix.

The rheumatologists here are unacceptable, been to one of them already. Another story in itself. My husband thinks I should go see an orthopedic doctor since I am having a tremendous amount of right hip and lower back pain. I just hate going to doctors. No one wants to help me now, because I am so young. Previously, I went for right knee pain and was told I was too young to do anything yet. "Take ibuprofen and elevate it, in fifteen years we'll talk. You have chondromalacia, but there's nothing I can do about it right now." What's the point of going to the doctor? It seems, I don't get much relief even when I do, except for those times they give me a steroid shot when I can hardly move.

I think pain has me feeling discouraged, along with the fact that the pool exercises are not helping this year. It means I have to go see a doctor, I promised my friends and family I would if the pool didn't help (They watch me hobble around when first getting up from a sitting position). I just hate having to go to the doctor for it. Has anyone else ever felt that way?

Jay Tor · 07-24-2002, 12:53 PM

About the chondromalacia - I know this as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. What's worked for me for this condition has been: quadriceps strengthening exercises, physiotherapy [at a sports medicine clinic] using electrical stimulation of the muscles supporting the knee, knee braces and avoiding lateral [side-to-side] movement of the knee.

Cox-2 meds didn't work for me either, but a combination of Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin and MSM does. No idea what effect these supplements would have on your fibromyalgia though.

Steroid shots to reduce inflammation of the knee while increasing bone erosion seems a one step forward, three steps back approach.

Suggest you monitor the clinical trials for information on new therapies for both your conditions. The background and study rationale for these studies can be useful esp. when discussing with your doctor which meds/treatments to try next.
[url="http://clinicaltrials.gov/"]http://clinicaltrials.gov/[/url]

Good luck,
Jay

kibble · 07-25-2002, 06:06 AM

I had pain after/during swimming too...but after I started using a "swim belt" to keep me floating...it's been a miraculously positive response. I don't fatigue or strain muscles/joints trying to stay afloat in the water. It kind of lets me do tai-chi and kickbox without trauma. Great workout, relief from pain, but best of all...the fatigue is gone for longer periods. I'm refreshed and energized and not tired from the workout. I hate to miss a day...if I can get to it more often I do so. Mornings I "waterwalk and then kickbox. If I get in again...I waterwalk and do laps. I find this has allowed my joints to be moved and worked without any real exertion. I used to not be able to get to my mailbox (200 yards from my house)...now I can "fast-walk" 2 miles on a good day. I expect to improve upon that. I am 43, 3 young kids, a nutty life and have to get back to "work" at a full-time job as soon as I can customize one to meet my RA. (another concern/issue/story). MY RA is considered advanced...although I am luck that my bones are in great shape...I hope you try swimming with a belt. It makes all the difference. I pooh-poohed it when my mom kept bugging me about it...she even bought one for me like the one she uses at her "Y" facility. I finally gave it a try...and man, I couldn't believe the difference. Floating on air. I bring it everywhere there is water ...vacation...friends...everwhere. Try it. What do you have to lose. I also lost some of the weight that the prednisone horrifically puts on as a side-effect. Cool.
PS. Try to work out in a warm pool when you can until you start feeling better. It's much better when the water is warm.

[This message has been edited by kibble (edited 07-25-2002).]