Does anyone know if it is ok to use a pilates exercise machine. I know it is very gentle and it elongates the muscles. Would appreciate any information. Thanks and a very happy new year to everyone on this site.
Happy New Year, Pat.
I shouldn't think so. Gentle excercise is prescribed for PMR so I should think you'd do yourself more harm than good. A half hour walk or swimming would be better. However, the experts will be in touch. It will be interesting to see what they say.
You've stumped me there - what on earth is a Pilates machine?
I did Pilates regularly for the first 5 years I had PMR - when it wasn't recognised or treated. It and aqua aerobics (at my level) kept me upright and mobile for that time. Then the PMR hit like a 10 ton truck and I was stopped from driving for another reason so couldn't get to the gym. It is difficult to know how much not being able to do Pilates contributed to the hellish 6 months I went through - particularly since once I could drag myself up to the slopes, half an hour of skiing mobilised the hips and shoulders wonderfully. Didn't help the bursitis/tendonitis part though of course. Constance mentions swimming - I couldn't swim much at all but as I say aqua was useful.
So I would say that real Pilates is good, so was Iyengha yoga - both adapted for the bits of the PMR that posed problems. Gentle stretching does make a difference - but the emphasis must be on gentle and building up gradually so you don't overdo it.
I shall investigate the machine!
Thank you Constance, I have done Pilates before and it is one of the gentlest exercises its kinna like yoga but we shall see.
Hi Eileen, thanks for getting back to me. Yes it's a pilates machine with 4 cords on it so you can adjust how gentle you want it to be. As I said it is the most gentlest form of exercise there is. Also you do it at your own pace. It balances out the whole body and realigns everything. I would be using it 3 times a week and doing it at my own pace. I would swim every day if I didn't get wet lol. Too boring and I am too self-conscious as well but I can use this in the comfort of my own home.
Hi,
I have been reading for months but have not written to anyone because I have not felt that I could contribute much. However, here I can! I have been doing Pilates(on a machine) for about 20 years and Gyrotonics for a shorter time. When I was diagnosed I explained the condition to my instructors and they adapted my sessions accordingly. They hear me when I say that something is too much or that it hurts. I go to Pilates twice a week and once to Gyro. I would like to add that while they have been off over the holidays I have stiffened up considerably. Do try and go slowly and you will find that your muscles will feel better.
Happy New Year to all!
Hi Yvonne, your comments are very welcome and even though you may not think you have anything to contribute you definately have. It's great that you are able to inform me as I have just purchased a pilates machine and stand therefore I can go easy on it. The muscle tone is not good in my right arm and right thigh so maybe a wee bit of strengh work may help. Thanks again and very much appreciated.
May be one of the gentlest exercises but it really uses your muscles so don't go doing too many repeats to start with! I usually did fewer than the rest at first but was able to build up most of the exercises.
The classes I went to were predominantly women, some of us heading for retirement or even older. Every so often a man would join the class, a pilot (he stuck it out), rugby players (they usually left after a few sessions). You saw them come in looking down their noses: this will be easy-peasy, we can do this no bother if old women can manage. Hehe - we had the last laugh ;-)
I know Eileen, easy does it whereas before I would have went at it hammer and tongs but not now. I am very sedentary and need flexability but at a very gentle pace and try and do some every other day/3 times a week. I have a friend who goes to a Pilates class (no machines) and there isn't flesh on her and she found it difficult at first. The machine I have, I can control it using 1,2,3 or 4 cords, I think the more cords you use the more difficult it is. I know it looks easy but so does yoga and generally speaking some men think sure that's a doddle. Aye, just do it (we can show them up) lol but thanks again Eileen.
Having looked at them online - I wish I had room for one! You can only join classes here in the autumn and they cost a bomb. Anything in a gym does :-( - that is something I miss, my gym near Durham was very good at the time - I suspect MrB has messed it up since them!
They do take up a bit of room, even though you can fold them easy. I have a wardrobe room (sliderobes, not a walk in closet, if only lol) and that's where I am gonna put it. Although have to clear the room out first, where to I don't know. I want to use it when I cannot get out, even for a gentle walk which I haven't done this long many a day. Yes classes can be expensive.
We have a 3-room flat with a balcony, cellar and garage - too cold out there though! No, will have to keep walking - since that is free!
I long to walk because I have been indoors for a very long time. Here in Belfast its blowing a gale. But sure aren't the best things in life free. We are Blessed and we don't realise it at times.
My first hospital appt is Thursday at Endocrinology, now that will be interesting. First question will be "Why am I here"?
My brother on the east coast of Scotland said his weather today was "Wet and horrible"! We, on the other hand, have had an absolutely perfect winter day - -7C this morning, sneaked up to +3C this afternoon and is back way below freezing again. But there was brilliant sunshine and hardly any wind or clouds. With a blanket I could have sat on the balcony!
The walking will come - two years ago I could just struggle into the village using crutches. Then I graduated to walking in carrying them - gave everyone a laugh but I was terrified of getting stuck and unable to get home ;-)
I think it was 13 degrees yesterday in Belfast. I am all mixed up in my days due the holidays. I honestly have a great appreciation of life now. More so because my ex-husband of 23 years died just 61 and it affected my two sons really badly. So what hurts them, it hurts me.
It's good to get reassurance from yourself about the walking. I just want to get out and do a gentle walk. There is some lovely scenery round here. Botanic Gardens. I live near the river Lagan and there are lovely walkways and embankments full of greenery. I am sure you looked the part, carrying the crutches lol. I drive a wee mini convertable, when I drive I may add. But when I went to the local garden centre and bought trees, August 2013 I had to put them in the back seat with the roof down. My sister in law was in the passenger seat and she was saying that people were pointing at us lolol. I didn't see them because I was reading the road ahead, but my son was following in his car and he said the same. Who cares lol
Hallo Yvonne. You have certainly created an interest in Pilates machines.
It seems they would be safe, used sensibly.
Tell me, you say you have been reading for months (on this forum I mean!). Do you suffer from PMR? If so, do tell us your story.
I'd have done that! The trees I mean!
I got laughed at at the hospital for carrying them - but I had to get used to walking a bit further without them somehow. They were my insurance policy!
Did I tell you, my best friend is originally from Lisburn but has lived in Germany since just after she left Uni. Have had one brief trip to Ireland, went to a meeting in Dublin, boat from Scotland to Larne (?) and then drove in a big circle. Fantastic! If the weather were better I'd come again but we have a camper van, not that much fun in rain!
Oh I know Eileen, we seem to have a lot in common, as I said I belong to the crazy gang, always have and always will. But I do understand the crutches part, I am a just in case person lol Better to have the crutches lookiing at me than looking for them.
I think you did mention about your friend. Lisburn isn't too far away, but I have no sense of direction, I get lost down a one way street lol. I don't think I would fancy camper van in rain either. Having said that I am a real home bird and more so now since ME/PMR I am still crawling, am not ready to walk yet (metaphorically speaking) so easy does it.
The PMR struck like a thunderbolt 3 years ago and it took about six months for diagnosis. I was unable to dress myself! The vibrations from walking were so painful I could not believe it. I was afraid someone would bump into me! I was a mess.
After all kinds of meanderings in the system in Canada I finally started on 30mgs of Prednisone. The improvement took only hours. Now I am taking 4mgs and hoping(following Eileens system) to reduce. So far I have not managed. Next week I have a 16hr flight to Sydney so I will wait until we return to try again.
Re excercise- before I knew what was wrong I spent two fortnight sessions with a doctor who had a small clinic with massage therapists in Europe. I went every day and the gentle stretching excercises and massages slowly loosened the tight, stiff tendons and muscles and felt better. The pain did not improve, but the movement was
increased.
When I returned home and started the meds the pain improved.
Now I am in manageable pain and only stiffen up if I do not move around enough or excercise.
I forgot to mention that I am 71 yrs old and several family members have RA, Crohns,
GCA,psoriatic spondylitis. So, I suppose I come by this condition honestly!
I did hope that the PMR would "burn out" but no luck so far!
The bad news is I have had PMR for over 10 years - can't say I've noticed it improving at any time never mind burning out! You do have an "autoimmune family" don't you!
I did manage it for 5 years with similar measures to yours but the pain was always there. But now you are at 4mg - don't rush! From here on your body has to make its own cortisol too as 4mg is less than you body needs daily to survive. It is excess corticosteroid that causes the problems so that risk is minimal.
Have a lovely trip to Sydney - maybe the warmth will help! And make sure you have enough pred in case you have to up the dose at any point. I work on the concept that if you have thought about it in advance it won't happen ;-)