Running with RA

In December 2016, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. While I'm still processing this diagnosis and working to integrate it into my consciousness, I'm combing through all the information I can find to make good decisions for myself. Information is power! I decided to create this page for other athletes who might be in a similar situation. Remember to take everything you read with a grain of salt. Just as there is no one training plan that works for every runner, there is no one size fits all treatment plan for RA patients. You should always consult with your medical provider before trying anything new.

This page will continually be under construction as I add/delete things as I find them. If you have a particular resource you want to share with me, please contact me at wendy@takinglongwayhome.com!




Helpful Websites
"It's My Church"
RA: Not Just Joints or Bones But So Much More
Fitness and RA: 9 Social Media Stars Making an Impact
Lady Gaga's Debilitating Illness isn't Stopping Her At All
Salty Running
Arthritis Foundation
Feet Meet Street
footzoneblog
Cure Arthritis Blog
The Hurt Blogger
Treating the Athlete
Treating Rheumatologic Illnesses in Athletes
RA and Athletics
Stories of Yes
Faces in the Pack: Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis through Triathlon
KStew Vents About RA
RAguy
Incurable Hope
Chronic Illness Blogger Directory
From This Point Forward
All Flared Up
A Figment of Fitness
∞ itis
Autoimmune Chronicles
FitAimee
Rheumatoid Arthritis Report Card 2018
As My Joints Turn
RA Healthline app for iPhone
RA Healthline app for Android


My Support Groups
Runners with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Athletes Beating Rheumatoid Arthritis

My Posts About RA
The Curious Incident of the Toe in the Nighttime
But Can I Still Run?
Runfessions: December Edition
Staying on Track
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Arthritis Runner
Where Did All the Endurance Go?
One Year Later--8 Lessons I've Learned From Running With RA
5 Positive Ways Rheumatoid Arthritis Turned My Life Upside Down
A Runner with RA Gets a Reality Check
Grandma Didn't Run
This is How I Know it's Real
Essential Supplements in my Anti-Inflammatory Toolbox
Essential Foods in my Anti-Inflammatory Toolbox
Fighting the Good Fight
Learning to Listen to My Body
8 Things I Want You to Understand About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Funny Rheumatoid Arthritis Memes
10 Reasons TENS if a Great Option for Managing Pain
11 Must Have Items for Runners with Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA Healthline: A New Resource for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

10 comments :

  1. thanks for all these links . . .waiting for my specialist appointment in 2 months . . but high RF and ANA in blood work, all the symptoms. This would explain a lot for me in the last 2 years of increasing problems . . . as a 25+ year elite athlete I KNOW my body . . . I kept trying to tell my dr. something wrong and they just give you the blanket "oh you're in peri/menopause" --

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    1. I ignored my symptoms for the longest time but then my foot blew up--forced me to pay attention! I'm sorry you have to wait to see a specialist. Can your GP at least start you on steroids or something? I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. The FB groups that I listed above are GREAT. There's so much positivity and empowerment, unlike many other RA groups.

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  2. Thank you for the listing! It's important that we all band together. I hope you are well.

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    1. I've found the most comfort in following other athletes who have RA. I'm learning how to cope with the disease and make adjustments accordingly!

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  3. Hi Wendy, it is great that you have put all these resources together in one place for runners with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 29 and received treatment for 4 years before being told I no longer had it. It had a big impact on my life. I felt quite isolated as I didn't know anyone else with RA and I didn't even tell people at work that I had it. It's good that you've listed some support groups on here - the internet was still in its infancy when I had RA! I hope you are finding ways to manage your condition that work for you. Although I have damage to my wrist joints which limits what I can do a bit, I feel hugely lucky to be able to run and do all the active things I do now. Keep well, Katie (RunYoung50)

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    1. Hi Katie! I am so grateful for whar I can do-there is just so much information out there. The FB group Runners with RA has been a godsend. It is nice to find people who are positive and motivated! Are you still symptomatic?

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  4. Hi Wendy, no I don't have any symptoms now. I have been told that my RA had "burnt itself out" and is very unlikely to return after such a long time (more than 20 years now). My wrist joints were damaged and that affects what I can do somewhat, as they are not very flexible and can be a bit painful if I do a lot of work with my hands. That has got a bit better though. Katie

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  5. Thank you for putting all this information together. I am a 36 years old sprint triathlete, usually very healthy, but have had jint pain for the last 4 months ( elbows, knees, wrist, fingers...). I am waiting for the current situation to calm down to go see my GP, so do not know if it is RA yet, but wanted to thank you as I am using your tips to see if I can feel better in the meantime!
    Thanks again. Caroline

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting! I continually update the page, so check back periodically. You can also PM me if you have any questions. I hope it's not RA. Best of luck.

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