Exercising When You Have Psoriatic Arthritis

By Vickie Wilkerson

3 min read

One of the things that makes me mad when I go see most doctors is that they all strictly talk to me about losing weight. I know I need to lose weight but they do not understand how bad my back starts hurting if I walk too much or how my left knee tends to swell if I am on it too much.

I'm sure most of you with psoriatic arthritis can relate. It gets so frustrating trying to explain to the doctors the same thing over and over again. Most of them just look at me like I am making up any excuse to keep from exercising. That is the most frustrating thing for me.

I wish I could make them understand I want to lose weight but I also do not want to hurt all the time.

Psoriatic arthritis & exercise frustrations

I try to stay as active as I possibly can. Caring for a husband, a mother and a mother-in-law who are both 70 years old make my days pretty busy. Not even counting what it takes to take care of myself, there are always doctors to see. Sometimes I feel like I live in a doctor's office.

Then there are my hobbies. I love to work in my flower gardens and go fishing. I can even find joy in cutting my yard. I also have a five-year-old grandson that I love to play with. As you can imagine he is as active as any child that age. Apparently all of this is not what it takes to make my body lose weight.

Trying to lose weight with psoriatic arthritis

I also watch what I eat. It is not always possible when your body fights what your mind tells you that you. I know I am overweight and that being overweight can bring on more health issues. Having psoriatic arthritis along with psoriasis is enough to handle all on its own.

I do not need any other problems like a cardiovascular disease which already runs in my family as it is. After one visit with a new doctor, I had gotten so frustrated with explaining for the up-teenth about the daily recurring pain I experience with psoriatic arthritis.

I decided to go to the gym. I have to admit it did feel good to work out on the machines. I tried my best to go easy. Going easy is never easy with chronic pain.

Paying the price of excercise

Having psoriatic arthritis is a daily struggle. Most of us will agree to that. Even with taking it as easy at the gym, there is still a price to pay. The pay is not good pay.

How can you lose weight when even easy exercising causes severe pain. Talking to all those doctors, the only help they could give me was a recommendation for physical therapy. The other advice was to talk to a nutritionist. My first visit to the nutritionist taught me everything I had already learned in school with the food pyramid.

Is exercising even possible with psoriatic arthritis?

How is anything supposed to change when the doctors can't give anything new to try? I guess it would be fine if I was on pain medication that would allow me to push through without all the pain but I don't see the help in that. If it takes pain medication to work out to lose weight then pushing too hard will bring more physical pain. How is that going to help anything?

I wish the doctors would get a clue. I realize water exercise would be a plus but how do you go to a pool with an open wound? For those of us that have psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis that makes pool exercise a no go either.

I guess I will have to hear yet again how I need to lose weight.

Are you able to exercise with your PsA?

Discuss your experiences here

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carla Member
Getting a diagnosis of PsA answered a lot of my worries. For years I blamed over use due to my work as the cause of my varied pains. Now I realize how my body was affected and I try to learn as much as I can about my condition. Eating right - less sugar, more greens, and adding supplements for inflamation have all helped. My biggest tool is walking in a pool. My weight is lifted off my joints and I work on full range of motion of all my joints. This helps loosen stiff joints, add muscle, tone and while I have not lost weight - I have went down 2 sizes in my clothes. I sleep better and feel a bit of the stress and depression is lifted from me.
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3304399" username="carla"/> , Congrats on the 2 sizes down. Losing weight is such a struggle. I wish I had access to a pool. There is a pool therapy company here but my insurance is not accepted there. I wish you continued success as you keep getting moving.
ladybounty Member
After decades of suffering with psoriatic arthritis throughout my body and trying just about every kind of exercise, I can use a recumbent exercise bike most days with less pain and discomfort. It keeps my joints moving better, helps me to sleep better and somewhat control my appetite and weight. There are days when I can use a higher tension but just peddling on the lowest tension for the range of motion helps tremendously. I have it in the livingroom where I am more apt to use it while watching the news or my favorite show. I see a substantial difference in my pain level and mobility when I am unable to ride this bike for any reason.
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3295442" username="ladybounty"/> , I have often thought about getting a stationary bike. When I can get to the gym I do ride one. Like you, I can definitely feel the difference in the pain level when I do not work out. There is a pool therapy company where I live but my insurance is not accepted there. I sure wish it was. Thanks for responding.
2. ladybounty Member
 Hello Vickie, being able to get in to a pool and swim would be ideal but unfortunately not possible where I live. Exercise with a regular stationary bike seems to cause more issues for me than the recumbent so I make sure to always use a recumbent at home or if away. Since I can't take most medicine due to all the stomach issues having psoriatic arthritis causes me, I consider riding "my daily pill" It helps me tremendously with stiffness and pain. Thank you for writing such a great, informative article!
jesshudnall Member
I totally agree. My rheumy told me that we are not even going to worry about exercise or losing weight right now. He is more focused on making me feel better and making sure my joints are good. I still have not found the right med for me. So, I am constantly gaining weight do to the Prednisone. I am depressed because I have gained sixty pounds during this process. They do not care. Only I do. Or my husband who thinks my doctor is dumb for saying I should exercise. And that I need to get my weight under control.
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention user-id="3290564" username="jesshudnall"/> I am so glad your doctor is more concerned with getting your psa under control. That is so important because when joint damage happens it is irrreversable. I am in the same boat as you with the weight gain and we are definitely not alone. I hope you are able to find something that works for you quickly.
Red Poodle Member
36 years ago, I thought I was dying. A really good rheumatologist diagnosed fibromyalgia and then sent me to a gynecological surgeon, who diagnosed endometriosis. Those are both really painful conditions. I learned fairly early on that motion and exercise decreased my pain levels and that muscles protect from all sorts of ills. Back then, I swam, ran, played racquetball and did yoga. over the years, I've added heavy weight lifting and CrossFit to the mix. Endometriosis is no longer an issue due to menopause ( Yay!!!) but 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Graves disease and psoriatic arthritis. I had a knee replacement a year and a half ago. One of the common threads in all these conditions and diseases is that they make me hurt. But...I'm going to hurt a LOT less if I keep moving and keep strong, and just maybe I'll be able to keep from acquiring yet another disease or condition. I became a personal trainer 20 some years ago to help other people (mostly women) who are in the same boat. It is possible to find SOMETHING that you can do. There are loads of YouTube videos on chair yoga, body weight exercises, even wheel chair workouts. If you have access, ellipticals are super easy on your joints, as are recumbent bikes. If you are up for something more intense, rowers provide an great full body and cardio workout without stress on joints. The hardest step is starting, and doing it day in and day out, year after year. But it is worth it! You are worth it. (End of mini rant.)
1. Jill.Brodie Community Admin
 Hi @Red Poodle, thanks so much for sharing. You are a great inspiration. We appreciate you sharing and being a part of our community. Jill, Team Member