Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Long distance running

I have heard so many mixed ideas on AS and running. I am a long distance runner and it seems to help me.

Two years ago I couldn't even walk for two minutes because of the pain, so I started a walking/running program. It was a long battle but now I run between 40-50km a week.

All I know is I'm 30 lbs lighter and 10x more mobile then when I started. I guess I would like to know why there is so much negative talk regarding running and AS?

Hi I used to run when i was first diagnosed but stopped when my docs told me that running on the road was jarring my joints too much and over time could cause damage. If you are going to run its better on grass it absorbes the impact better.
However i would say if it helps you and your happy then carry on. I think it depends on how your AS affects you were all different . Kevin

Some people advocate weightlifting for AS and some are against it. It is such an individualized disease so rules are often relative.

Thanks for the reply Kevin.

My husband has always been a super fit person who loves to run. Early in the morning he would always run 15km and work out at the gym twice a day. Apart from fatigue and eye problems his AS didnt cause him much problems (as long as had his 150mg of Diclofenac a day). In about August last year he rolled his ankle and stopped going to the gym or running. Now since then he has gone down hill dramatically and has frequent flares and really struggles to walk across the room. He now takes MTX and Salazopyrin also and is on NSD.

I often wonder if his fitness regime kept his AS at bay for the large part of his life. As his AS just came upon his so fast recently. There is also a chance that it wasnt the running, because round the same time he rolled his ankle he started eating pastry, rice, pasta etc which he had never eaten much of- as he was always conscious of putting on weight. Also around that time he had to take antibiotics for a bug in his gut. Or perhaps there was no reason.

Since then I have found KA and he is on the NSD and I will try and get my husband to the pool when he has the energy.

But before his AS got bad I would always nag him that he will damage his joints by running everyday (as he has had 2 knee surgery's -I think not AS related). But now I wish I had let him run.

So really I don't know, I hope you find some answers.

Sparky9999,

Orch, another member on this site, is very into running. He seems to find that it helps him. Hopefully he sees your post and provides some comments. If it doesn't aggravate your condition and your doctor has not given you proof that it will do you harm, I say, "have a great run".

I run. A lot. It's about the only time of day I feel "normal", and I forget I have A.S. while I run. My rheumatologist told me it's okay, as long as it doesn't cause pain, but I should also note that I don't have any fusion or joint damage at this point, other than a couple toes. I think it would be a different story if you already have joint damage, and it certainly is an individualized disease.

My A.S. is usually at it's worst during injury layoffs. For instance, I may have to stop running due to tendinitis or some other soft-tissue injury, and then my neck and back will get REALLY bad, and other soft-tissue issues will spontaneously appear. So I do think in my case things get worse if I don't run (although I'm sure I could sub in any other form of exercise).

Earlier this month, I set a personal best in the half marathon. Not a post-A.S. personal best, but a lifetime personal best. So A.S. is not necessarily a death-sentence to running. I take Enbrel, by the way, so I just have to be careful with how much I train, in order to not lower my immunity. I like to take Emergen-C drink after a long run or hard workout, and so far I've had a problem with getting sick.

hi
unless we do specific damage to a joint, i have always gotten better when I could jog. Now at almost 60, I walk hills or ride the bicycle or tread mill. Burning calories always makes me feel better, if i can just get started...
nice to visit

I started running at the gym this winter. I could not have done this without Remicade as my AS had caused to much damage to much of my body. I loved it! I started at five minutes and over the winter I had worked up to half an hour. I was worried about damage but took it easy when I was due for an infussion or if I was not feeling right. I really liked the sense of strenght and the way my lungs filled with air. My chest has been comprimised by AS but it felt great this winter running. I will try again next winter and until I know I am causing damage because the day will come again when walking is a challenge and I will remember my runs....
Go for it!
Beth

My doc said it was ok unless it started hurting, and after a while it did. My lower back/si's felt the jarring with each step and I had to stop. I didnt want to, but it just hurt too much and it changed my enjoyment of running into dreading putting on my shoes because i knew what was coming. I think you just have to listen to your own body.

Angie