Shayne

I have psoriatic arthritis which is also a relative of rheumatoid. What kind do you have?

It was a real struggle for quite a few years, until I finally got on Enbrel. I went from walking with a cane to leading a total normal life after just the first injection. The stuff has been a god send for me. I put in 7100 miles last year and I'll be going for my cat 3 upgrade this season.

Keep after it and stay tough.

blacksquid

You go! Thanks for sharing.

Pi}{ie

Type 2 IBD arthritis its the one caused by the same gene as RA typically but triggered by the Automimmune disorder in the bowel. Luckily for me mine hasnt gotten to the point of them putting me on TnF blockers yet. I'm starting my first DMARD next week after about 3 years of preds and NSAIDS. I'm stubborn and didnt want to take chronic treatment till all else failed, which of course happened as expected hehe.

Shayne

Good luck with the DMARD! I've only tried Enbrel as it works so good for me, I see no reason to change. I've been off all NSAIDS for years and only take the occasional Aleave after a hard training ride or race. Enbrel is nice because it's only one self injected dose a week.

Pi}{ie

TnF blockers are super expensive many insurance companies wont cover them till you fail other protocols. My type of arthritis progresses over time so the best thing to do is what I've done procrastinate. I procrastinated till it hit almost 40 joints and no longer could be shocked into remission with steroids, and that was after chronic NSAID treatments failed as well. I'm procrastinating on heavy DMARDS now taking the low route that has about a 50/50 chance of working but gives less symptoms. Eventually this type typically eats its way up to shots like methotrexate and or embrel but I'd rather use what is effective and the least caustic/least expensive as long as possible. No use in poisoning yourself with something more than you need, and I'm lucky because my doctor was more than willing to start MTX 18+ months ago I said no and he understood why. I dont like taking more than I have to, it was pretty hard for me to accept taking NSAIDs before training, and it took a lot 2 months of hell not being pushed back with preds to get me to walk in and admit defeat this time. I try to exercise, and use diet to control it as much as possible. I believe a lot of chronic health problems benefit from a regular routine of exercise, and propper diet. Medicine is great but the best approach is an all encompassing one with lifestyle changes as well.

DesnaePhoto

Congrats! I long to do tri's, but my shins won't go for it. I ran for over 10 years when in the Army, the entire time fighting shin splints. Did everything -- orthotics, nuclear scans to find exact problem areas -- never could get rid of them. Now my brain simulates shin pain when I think of running!

Pi}{ie

You should have your gait analyzed at a running store. The store I goes to has you run, walk, sit, stand, squat, and scans your feet before putting you in shoes. I'm a supinator

BarryJo

Thanks Pi}{ie, I've been having a hard time maintaining my motivation over the last few weeks. Your post made me realize I need to HTFU(tm), stop making excuses and get back to my training routine.

Very good post, keep up the good work!

mloywhite

Thanks for the great thread. I have severe oa in both shoulders, and have neck problems with three fusions for herniated disks, along with asthma and a bunch of other medical issues. You sharing your problems reminds me how good I have it. I appreciate your positive outlook.

Machka 

And the fact that I cycle ... and have an "athlete's heart" ... is very likely helping my heart compensate for its damaged valves.

aham23

congrats.

on a side note, the greatest of the great have abnormally large hearts. puts them at risk at the same time it makes them great.

later.

Pi}{ie

It probably does help in this manner since your heart would be stronger and pump more efficiently. I believe in taking care of what you have. So many people have healthy bodies and dont take care of them its such a shame. Then they get diabetes, cardio vascular disease, etc and wonder how did that happen. Life is a gift your body is the package it came in take care of it, because it holds the future and if you drop the box one too many times whats inside breaks.

BlastRadius

You should think about doing the California Coast Classic. It's a week long ride down the California coast to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. https://www.californiacoastclassic.com/
I have a friend who's had lifelong arthritis and is doing it for the second year now.

Pi}{ie

Thank you . I will have to look into this for the future. Right now I dont have the funds to go to CA but I'd love to do something like this at somepoint.

mooxster

ooo, the CA coast is super sexy

halfspeed

Don't be too hesitant to try the TnF blockers. While methotrexate is truly heinous, the new stuff can be more effective and less difficult to tolerate than high doses of prednisone and NSAIDs.

I wish I knew a whole lot less about this stuff than I do.