How much is too much?

mellman01

Hi all now can anyone tell me how much is too much, for me it’s walking bending etc as it’s me knee caps but how do I know when or if I’m doing my OA more harm than good when I am trying to keep mobile?. Any ideas??!. :?:

issymknight

I'm afraid it will be down to your body and trial and error. Thats how I have had to learn what I can and cant do. I feel great do some work and hey pain and suffering here we come. I would go for small walks and go where I could rest or have a seat, then that way you shouldnt over do it.
Remember one thing your own body will tell you when enough is enough and its a good idea to listen to it.

Take care and go gently gently

Issy

skezier

Hi Mel,

Its really down to how you feel I am afraid. Its finding the balance between doing enough to keep moving and doing too much and getting the pain and problems with over doing it. I think we are all finding our levels cus they fluctuate a bit every day. You will get your levels worked out and well listening to your body is the best way of finding them. Bones are quite good at telling you thats enough. Take care Cris

mellman01

Hi Issy thanks it’s as I thought then, I’m am really trying to get me head round it still some day’s I can walk a fair way others I can’t even get round the house without the pain coming on, I can’t seem to get it though to the people here at work that I can still walk ok’ish it’s just the pain that gets to much for me to handle even Tramadol doesn’t stop it, thing is I also get delayed reactions to doing to much, some times I think I have got away with it only to have all hell breaks lose hours later. totally flippin mad. :shock:

ritwren

Not mad at all mellman it sounds very familiar I'm afraid. My physio said that if the pain does'nt go away within 2 hours after you stop what you're doing t(hat gives you pain) then you've overdone it.
If that makes sense :roll:
Seems pain for 2 hours or less after an activity is ok. It's almost impossible to pace yourself however and I'm still trying to find the pace that allows me to do something 2 days in a row.
good luck
rita

lindalegs

Hi Mellman,

My rule of thumb is that if I exercise, walking or other and create pain that's fine. If the pain's there the following day then I've over done it - sleeping usually makes my pain alot better. I could be a bit different though as mine's RA and not OA like yours.

Luv Legs :?

woodbon

Hi To confuse matters even more, (I have OA) its often not until the next day that I know I've done too much the day before. I find that if I do too much one day, the next I feel so tired as well as the pain. It does make your life hard to organise and I hate it if I feel I'm keeping others back! Love Sue

chris7

mellman01 wrote:

Hi all now can anyone tell me how much is too much, for me it’s walking bending etc as it’s me knee caps but how do I know when or if I’m doing my OA more harm than good when I am trying to keep mobile?. Any ideas??!. :?:

Mellman
Thank you for this question, it is exactly my own? I have been very interested in the replies. I now struggle to work 4 X 8hr days in a row, out of necessity, financially and socially and DO NOT want to change this, but now find I have to spend the following day almost bed bound as a punishment and essential recovery time for my OA in hips and knees. Shorter working hours 7 days a week, with gentle exercise and rest, would be my ideal balance, but in the real world does anyone achieve this? So sorry to rant on your post. I hope you get further practical advise which can help you (and me!)and I really do sympathise.
Chris

livinglegend

mellman01 wrote:

Hi all now can anyone tell me how much is too much, for me it’s walking bending etc as it’s me knee caps but how do I know when or if I’m doing my OA more harm than good when I am trying to keep mobile?. Any ideas??!. :?:

As others have said, it's a balancing act of movement/pain. As with all balancing acts it takes experience. Sometimes you are OK and other times you wobble or fall off.

If you try to consider your movement/pain as a balancing act, then in time, as Dirty Harry puts it, "A wise man knows his limitations".


Joseph 8)

mellman01

woodbon wrote:

Hi To confuse matters even more, (I have OA) its often not until the next day that I know I've done too much the day before. I find that if I do too much one day, the next I feel so tired as well as the pain. It does make your life hard to organise and I hate it if I feel I'm keeping others back! Love Sue

Hi woodbon no your not confusing things I have the exact same problem with it and it drives me absolutely nuts. :?