Suggestions on comming back

[marie curie]

In the past year I have torn both of my meniscuses which is ok, but I have arthritis in my knees and where the tears are, they irritate where I already have inflamation. Neither of these are something that can be fixed, but I've given it some time and the tears seem to be to a point that they don't tear more whenever I do stuff (which was a quite annoying few months).

Anyway, I want to get back to training regularly (I've been going lightly ever since), and I need to build up some muscle/loose some weight to do so. My big problem is consistancy. When my joints swell, the torn stuff gets caught on other tissue and it does feel at times like its tearing more, so I can't do much when the weather changes.... not a big problem except that I live in Pittsburgh where the weather changes a lot... so I'd say that I'm good for training on average half of the time.

Any suggestions?

[JackCrevalle]

Have you seen a Rheumatologist? You don't say what type of arthritis you have but as someone with arthritis, including the knees, I can tell you that with forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid they can do a lot with medicines to prevent or eliminate the swelling.

[marie curie]

I don't have insurance, so no. The only dr I talked to was the one I saw after my MRI who read me the results... so I didn't exactly know what questions to ask

[JackCrevalle]

I'm not sure what your situation is but many drug companies now have programs for people who can't afford them and there is even a type of umbrella organization that represents many of the companies but I can't remember the name now.

Another possibility are clinical trials. When I was diagnosed with RA my doctor offered to put me into clinical trials and told me I would get the same medicine, just combined with another drug.

[bushido_man96]

I would check with your doctor to see what you can do to help yourself the most.

At any rate, make sure to pace yourself when you train. If you re-injure yourself, you won't be training at all. Listen to your body, and give it the recovery time that it needs. It may require more recovery time than it has in the past.

[marie curie]

Good advice! Thanks both of you!

[bushido_man96]

You are very welcome! Let us know what you find out, and how the training goes.