Video shock

I saw a video of me at my son's party in June and was fascinated! I hate photos etc of myself but this video really upset me. I look as if I've aged about 10 years since the last video my father-in-law did. at Christmas. I can see the discomfort on my face with every step I took. After the party I had a flare up which lasted nearly a month. I did find it a struggle but I wanted to have a party for my son while I could. It really bought home to me how disabling this condition is. Seeing myself hobbling along with a walking stick. OA has changed the way I look; the way I walk and the way I live.

I just hope the specialist who sees me next week sees the woman I saw on the video.

I'm now avoiding all video cameras at family parties.

Sharmaine

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valval

they say the camera never lies lol. poor u i hope u get the help u need as i know how painfull it is good luck and hope the years fall off u

frogmorton

Hi Sharmaine
Poor you

I am sure that the specialist will beleive you - you expnained yourself so well on here I am sure you will be able to do so when the time comes.
You were right to have that party. That is the right attitude

Memories.
Maybe the specialist will have some ideas to take the pain out of your face.
Take care
Toni x

skezier

Hi Sharmine,

Oh I know how that one goes, I look in the mirror and see some old hag looking back at me! :roll: For me its easy to avoid cameras but you know capturing memories for ever is good. I also really understand you bit about it changing the way you look, walk and live also for me the way I feel has to be added. Some where though we both are still us

Take care, Cris

sharmaine

Hi

We had a fancy dress party and my husband and I dressed up as gangsters - never again. It was a good party. I will laugh at it later as I now have this dvd to remind me of what OA has managed to turn me into. At 53 I feel like.. you say an old hag. That's it - I'm never wearing black again.

I think I'll have to treat myself to an outfit to cheer myself up. I thought about accidentally destroying the video evidence but thought better of it. If I could throw the stick away and walk upright I would!!

I'm annoyed with myself for being so vain.

Sharmaine

woodbon

Hi, I HATE photos of me. I look fat, my tummy always sticks out, and now I've noticed the line around my mouth! :x I don't think being in pain and not sleeping as well as I did help, but most of it is, with me, the person in my head is in her twenties but in the mirror I'm 50ish (54 really, but don't tell anyone)

. Love Sue
PS I know I limp when i walk and stick my tummy out. I haven't seen any movies of me.

sharmaine

There's nothing like a camera to capture the essence of how you're feeling. You're right I'm going to give myself a boost (it can't be new shoes) so I think I'll have my hair done next week; buy myself a new top and trousers ....going to a family party in 3 weeks time so I've got time to do a mini makeover! If I wasn't so terrified of needles I would have botox!! :P :P :P

If my father-in-law comes near me with his video camera I'm going to duck or move away. I have no choice but to walk with the aid of my stick. I wish I could walk with it elegantly and swing my hips nonchalantly without causing a mass exodus. I'll be practicing in front of the mirror later.

It's a good job I can laugh at myself otherwise I would be depressed.

Have a fab weekend everyone.

Sharmaine

skezier

Hi Sharmaine,

I don't think its vanity in my case its pure shock horror.......

I think I am aging very badly but inside I am still me........ in need of face lifts, liposuction, veneered teeth, and a complete body re-sculpture

You take care and enjoy the new outfit

Cris x

sharmaine

My friend had both hips replaced a couple of years ago and she you could tell from her face that she was suffering. Now that she's had the ops she looks amazing. I'm hoping that's how I'll look when they fix my knees. My sister-in-law is always at the gym and I know it's wrong but sometimes I feel envious. How I long to have a little skip or just a wee jump or maybe a couple of hops!!! No such luck.

I've always had one of those faces - my close family say that I can't hide a thing with all the faces I pull. I wish my mother had put a stop to it when I was younger. It's too bloomin' late now!

Thanks for your replies - I am not alone arthur is always with me.

Sharmaine

frogmorton

sharmaine wrote:

My friend had both hips replaced a couple of years ago and she you could tell from her face that she was suffering. Now that she's had the ops she looks amazing.
There you go Sarmaine - that'll be you!!
Yes get your hair done and spoil yourself!. You deserve it and I NEVER wear black!!!
I look like I need a good wash!! he he!! perhaps I do!
Love
Toni x

eckstardeluxe

Oh I'm sorry, this is awful when you catch a glimpse of how things used to be and how they are now.

My three year old daughter and I recently watched back a DVD of me bathing her as a baby. She kept saying "who is that?" and when I said me she said "that's not you, you can't do my brother's baths!"(my one year old son)

I said no Mummy didn't know she was ill then, I know I'm ill now so don't want to hurt myself.

I just sat for a while stunned, didn't know what to say.

woodbon

I don't like pictures of my neice, I took a lot when she was growing up as she only live across the road and was a very pretty child. She has a Neurological illness that her late Mother had and in the past years its altered her looks compleatly. Its like a chart of her illness. On the other hand, most of the time she makes the most of life and is cheerful. The latest thing is an electric wheel-chair the OT has ordered, she can't wait for it to come!!!! So anyone living in Oxford, LOOK OUT!

. Love Sue
PS When she was driving, she once got on the motorway by mistake and didn't know how to get off, so she stopped, and a lady saw her, stopped and drove in frount of her all the way home!!!

sharmaine

You know having arthur can really get you down sometimes and just seeing that DVD has spurred me on. I don't want to be that person just struggling to move from A to B. I was concerned about having both knees done and now I can't wait. I don't want to look like or feel like this forever. They can give me new knees it's a shame they won't last until I do but what the heck! If I can walk better it will be a gift from heaven to me. I can live with the stiffness in my fingers and the pain in my shoulder.

I'm going to grasp what life has to offer me.

Children are so honest and they don't truly understand what pain is like. I suppose it's hard for little ones to understand how difficult it is for a person with arthritis to bend or lift anything. Don't take it to heart you are still you. Learning to be positive is tough when you're feeling rough.

Take care.
Sharmaine

sharmaine

You're quite right - I think black is ok in small doses but it can make one look quite drained.

Today I went for the freshly squeezed lime look! Lime green top; beige trousers and pretty scarf (picking out colours in shoes; top etc). I got a few compliments so I'm feeling a lot less grim today!!
I don't get many compliments these days - so these few have made my day.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Sharmaine

joyful164

What do you think I felt like when I saw myself on the wedding photos. I look terrible. Fat and frumpy. I never know what size dress to buy and now they are all so long on me

I tried so hard not to get photographed.
The medication doesn't help.

joy

joyful164

Perhaps I ought to send before and after photos to DLA!.

livinglegend

I have said to people for years that, "You are always your own worst critic". We tend to exaggerate the downside of ourselves as we are aware of all our faults, real or imaginary. That's normal!

Others usually see us with good and faults together. A more balanced outlook. This is how we should be more self-aware.

I always accept compliments as they know what they are talking about. Insults come from the envious, so why should I care about such comments? Forget them.

Joseph 8)