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Weight Lifting
#87609 10/11/05 05:06 AM
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I am a 'Newbie" also and am wondering if there are any weight lifters out there with experence in dealing with this. I have been lifting on and off for about 42 years and it still makes me feel good but my doc and I are not on the "same page". She is recommending things like "water aerobics" instead, saying that she is afraid that weight lifting causes too much stress to the joints but those sorts of exercises don't present enough resistance to actually stress my muscles..becomes pure aerobics which seems to make me feel worse. As I said, when I am done with a workout I have a much lower level of pain and a much greater feeling of "well being" so I am a bit "conflicted" and could use some advice.

Re: Weight Lifting
#87610 10/12/05 01:34 PM
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My doctor loves that I lift weights. It is great for the bones (I have osteroporosis) and it is great for the muscles which help to stabilize the joint. I have been lifting weights since college and have no plans to stop. I am very careful and don't overload my joints. During flairs I sometimes lower the weight I use. I don't do water areobics but I do swim for cardio along with doing the eliptical machine. Both are low impact. My doctor told me not to run or do high impact stuff because of my bones.


I have pain. Pain does not have me.
Re: Weight Lifting
#87611 11/02/05 01:42 AM
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Hi, Froglady. Thanks for your reply. After my first post, I kind of lost the site..or forgot about it. At this point, my rhemotoligist and I don't talk about exercise as she wants me to limit to walking in a pool or something like that. I have been weight lifting for 42 years and all I know is that when I do it consistently, it makes me feel better.
mike

Re: Weight Lifting
#87612 11/04/05 02:23 PM
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I'm a newbie too, so maybe I don't really know much yet. But I lift weights and also run (or I'd like to get back to running when I don't have so much pain!). My doctor told me his goal was to manage my disease so that I can do the things I want/like to do -- and that incudes running and weight lifting -- and not let the disease control my life and activities. It remains to be seen when/if I'll get back to my full athletic activities, but I really like his attitude and approach. If you and your doctor don't see eye-to-eye on this, maybe you should consider consulting with another doc?

Re: Weight Lifting
#87613 11/06/05 11:05 PM
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I have had AS for over 16 years. I can no longer run if I want to enjoy the rest of my day. Some days even walking can be a pain in the back. My doctors also kept pushing water exercises but my back and left hip kept disagreeing with them. Weightlifting, using the stationary bike with a supporting back attached to it and using my total gym at home keeps me active, makes me feel better even during my rough patches, and has never been a problem. I always walk out of the gym feeling much better. As long as I use machines and benches that support my back I have been ok. If your doctor is like the ones I have seen (I have moved and changed insurance companies many times in 16 years so I have seen a lot of doctors) until someone does official medical research on weightlifting and spondylitis I don’t think your doctor will recommend it.

Re: Weight Lifting
#87614 11/11/05 06:24 PM
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Ann and Susan, thanks for sharing your experiences with me. Other than the exercise issue, I like my docter a lot as she is both skilled and compasionate. As Ann points out, apparently there is no good "official" guide to exercise. As I talk to more athletic AS sufferers, I am coming to realize that the "walking in the pool" recommendation is almost something of a joke as everyone seems to get that from their doctors and then goes on to figure out what works for me. Like Ann, I am finding that my best combination is 3xweek with 20 minutes on a stat bike with a seat having back support along with 7xweek seight training. In my younger years (until about 40) I was all about power lifting with free weights. Now I find that I mostly need to use machines that support both back and hips. One brand that does this and seems to give a range of motion very similar to free weights is "Hammer Strength" if anyone is interested.

Another question, I just started Embrel this week (2x25mg/week) and am wondering how long it usually takes to "kick in". I have heard good things about the relief it provides.
mike

Re: Weight Lifting
#87615 12/03/05 04:55 AM
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Hi Mike,

I'm new to the forum, but have been lifting weights off and on like you for years. My rheumy likes the fact that I stay active and wants me to continue whatever it is I do. I've had AS for 10+ years and will be entering my mid 30's and I feel better now than in years past. I don't lift as heavy as I used to. My current workouts will follow Crossfit. I'm basically going to go as long as my body allows me to. Good luck to you.

Re: Weight Lifting
#87616 12/17/05 10:12 PM
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weights are great. They actually strengthen the joints. But you should be wise with what you do. Dont lift like a macho man. And in a flare back off on the joints that hurt.
I have lifted for 20 years but I do a lot of yoga too.

Re: Weight Lifting
#87617 01/07/06 09:42 AM
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I don't lift. But my husband does. He doesn't have AS. I officially have FMS but I recommend doing any thing that makes you feel good if it is physical activity. My moto is if you stop moving... you won't be able to move... so whatever keeps you going is good.
Day~

I ride horses and run on the treadmill and that probably would be off the list of things to do but there is such a thing as quality of life and inspiration/passion of living. Motivation is a good thing. Both activities cause me great pain at times but more often cause me great joy.
Day~




"I do not want ever to be indifferent to the joys and beauties of this life. For through these, as through pain, we are enabled to see purpose in randomness, pattern in chaos." L'Engle
Re: Weight Lifting
#87618 01/08/06 04:44 PM
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Day, thanks for the feedback. I had a post on another topic about Horse back riding. My youngest daughter (19) is very involved in riding, training and showing to the point that we actually are the proud servants of 2 1/2 quarter horses (mare due in May and a gelding currently being shown).

I had a relatively early exposure to horse (early 20s) as my parents had 30 acres outside of Spokane and my sister and then my parents always had horses. I lived in a cabin on the property for several years and only saw the "Three Fs" so was not overly fond of them (feeding, fences and feces).

I have been reluctently dragged into the whole horse business over the past 10 years but now can't imagine life without horses.

My origional question about riding was for me but now, I have this sick suspision that my youngest may have AS as she is showing some of the early signs. She has had a problem wiht lower back and hips for the past year and it has gotten to the point that she has been at a show in Florida for the past two weeks and unable to show anything but Showmanship (on a lead line) this week. My concern for my daughter is that horses are her life at this point. This is her last year as a "youth" and she intends to start work as a trainer and coach when she is done showing next fall. She is apparently very talented and has been getting "employment offers" from established trainers for the past year. Additionally, her very serious boy friend is a young, professional trainer in the process of establishing his business and reputation. I am not sure what AS might do to all of this. On a good note, my rhemey is pro riding as a theraputic exercise for AS.

On another note, although now in Georgia for the past 18 years, I lived in Washington, mostly in the Eastern part of th estate for about 25 years and really love the state. My sister is still in Olympia, some kind of 3rd or 4th line manager for the state DMV. I would love to get back to Washington to live but I am not sure I ever will as my three kids are rather "rooted" in Georgia. If you want to continue this discussion off of the forum, my email is mtsargent@hotmail.com.
mike

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