How much rest? How much activity

cheshirefay · 15. May 2010, 17:25

Hello fellow sufferers,
I had my day all planned as you do :roll: a bit of painting in my little bathroom which is so tatty I am ashamed.

I am on my own and poor

so have to do all my own DIY (badly I must add) I was walking across B&Q car park and all of a sudden my knee buckled and I was in absolute agony . I managed to limp to the car and get home but really have only been able to hobble around for the rest of the day . I know I have oa in all joints so guess it is that.

I keep trying to walk but the pain sears right through my knee , I am not sure how much I should try and push myself to walk or should I rest it. I am scared it will seize up. I only went to the Gp on friday and really don`t want to go again so soon. Any advice welcome xx

skezier · 15. May 2010, 17:53

He Fay

I understand totally what you mean about not wanting to seize up and well with my bits I tend to keep them moving but more gently than normal. I do a far bit of stretches and moving it but if it really hurts then its best not to push it for a min.

I hope its just a blip and tomorrow will be better for you. Cris x

elnafinn · 15. May 2010, 19:35

I am sorry to hear about your day, not quite planning out as you had envisaged. Are you on any anti inflams and painkillers for your aches and pains? Ice or heat works wonders. Have you tried that?Would a tubigrip on the knee help, do you think? If the knee is too painful, I would not force it, but try and rest and use ice/heat and elevate the leg. If it persists I suggest you return to your gp although I know you will not wish to do so. It is not good to rest too much, as you probably know.

I do hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

Luv
Elna x

cheshirefay · 16. May 2010, 04:27

Thanks for your replies and advice.
To answer questions first , Yes I have brill pain relief in the form of Fentanyl, cocodamol and anti anflam med. Ortho surgeon I saw last week said meds I am on are the reason I am still mobile .
Woke early sweating and stiff but have got up and started to move about .
I think partly it is the fear that I will be unable to do the things I HAVE to do ie care for my mum who has kidney failure and really needs my help (not paid care just daughter care) I am used to pushing myself when I really want to lie down and cry!!
My son is going for surgery next friday and his partner doesnt want to learn to drive so it will be down to me to drive evryday 20 miles to hosp plus the worry of his surgery
. You may sense some frustration and you would be right!
I feel quite down about everything and very sorry for myself . xxx

ritwren · 16. May 2010, 04:35

You have a lot to cope with at the moment and it's no wonder it gets you down every now and then. Sorry to hear your knee is playing up now too. If it's no better by resting it and keeping it elevated by tomorrow I'd see the GP in case it's maybe a pulled muscle or tendon or something else. I do find heat and ice packs can help but it's personal preference really. I do hope it eases for you.
Could your Son's partner perhaps take the bus for a day or to when visiting or ask a friend of theirs to help with the transport? Can anyone else maybe help out with your Mum for a few days to get you a break.?
I do so very much know what you mean when you say you push yourself but sometimes you just have to stop and look after yourself. Perhaps this episode with your knee will give you time to do that.
Do take good care.
rita

cheshirefay · 16. May 2010, 04:47

Thanks Rita,
You are right , its all gettin to me and I am now havin a blub!!

I have a sister but she works full time (five holidays a year to pay for) and at the moment is in Paris.

My daughter in law would not dream of gettin the bus and I feel really bad if my boy has no visitors . I think I will have to say I cant go everyday and risk the wrath.

I am sure everyone on here has similar probs of one kind or another , it is really great to be able to have a moan though .
Fay x

elnafinn · 16. May 2010, 05:16

Hi Fay

You do have a lot on your plate at the moment and I know what you mean about pushing yourself, when you have to, and somehow we manage but we do need a little break too, every now and again. Having your son in hospital adds to it all too. I think perhaps your son's partner should offer to pay for a taxi some of the days to save you driving. If you do drive to the hospital some of the days, I hope she offers to go halves on the petrol.

I hope all goes well with your son and he will not be in too long and that your knee is kinder to you today.

Luv
Elna x

only49 · 16. May 2010, 06:24

hello i know what you mean, i try to do the same as i always used to but it incredibly hard to do them, i guess there no easy answer to this all you can do i think is take it day by day and see how your feeling day by day, if one day you cant do something then its a day i use my scooter, on a better day i give it a go only a short distance, it really hard to except you cant do things i having a struggle trying to get my head round it all, I have OA and know what its like if i push it too far and its not how i going to suffer

i hope it helps just a little for you to know that we all understand how it is.

take care and rest when you can.

sylvia

sharmaine · 16. May 2010, 08:45

Hi Cheshirefay

I have OA in knees (one knee has been replaced - 3 months ago) but I understand what you mean about the pain. Walking on flat surfaces is like walking on nails to me. I find it unbearable - what happens, I think, is as the knee joint wears down or in my case is gone completely the thigh bone locks onto the lower leg bone. The only thing that eases this discomfort in my case is to rest and that means lying down. Ice packs on the joint alternating with heat helps.

If you can invest in shoes that have well padded soles. I have recently bought a pair of MBTs and this makes walking in the supermarket or DIY shops much more comfortabe. Decorating will be difficult for sufferers of OA. Try and have frequent breaks or plan to do a little bit each day. I have OA in shoulder and any repetitive job (ironing, mowing the lawn etc) means I pay for it later. GP told me on Friday that my OA is spreading but I sure wish it would stop.

Don't push yourself when you're feeling like this. Have you had x-rays recently? What meds are you on?

Take care and I hope you are feeling better today.

Sharmaine

cheshirefay wrote:

Hello fellow sufferers,
I had my day all planned as you do :roll: a bit of painting in my little bathroom which is so tatty I am ashamed.

I am on my own and poor so have to do all my own DIY (badly I must add) I was walking across B&Q car park and all of a sudden my knee buckled and I was in absolute agony . I managed to limp to the car and get home but really have only been able to hobble around for the rest of the day . I know I have oa in all joints so guess it is that.

I keep trying to walk but the pain sears right through my knee , I am not sure how much I should try and push myself to walk or should I rest it. I am scared it will seize up. I only went to the Gp on friday and really don`t want to go again so soon. Any advice welcome xx

dreamdaisy · 16. May 2010, 12:33

Poor you. I would rest it until it feels better. And it's time for other people to think of you and your needs.

Your son is a big boy now and yes, it is tough to be in hospital and not have visitors but he has to think about you and take your needs into account.

Non-drivers are a pain, aren't they? They expect the drivers around them to come rushing to their aid. You say your DIL doesn't like catching buses, well, tough. She can pay for a taxi, or get on a bike and ride there! (Tho it does sound along way - perhaps that's too mean!) She's a grown up, and grown ups have to find (or make) their own solutions to problems.

You have your needs and I hope that they are supportive to you but, at the moment, you have to look after yourself - you're the important one. If you push yourself too hard and too far you will end up with the flare from hell and be out of action for longer.

You are in a difficult position, I realise that, but sometimes a little selfishness is exactly what is required. I hope your knee improves soon and that you will be able to make the drive once or twice - remember you are also important. Dreamdaisy

valval · 16. May 2010, 13:29

hi firstly you sound a great mum and your son will understand you can not go to hospital every day the chairs there not made for bad joints and to be honest you would exhaust your self which would be silly. as for your knee ice if you have any swelling heat if not keep moving with no weight on and rest it as much as you can. arther takes no prisoners and you sound like you have coped with it for a while so know the routine be kind to your self while not letting it win (((hugs))) for when you need them take care and fingers crossed for your lad.

cheshirefay · 16. May 2010, 13:53

You are all SO kind and sensible!! I think you are all fantastic and supportive too

I really was having a bad morning and I am sure you all know what it is like to have a melt down.

My other daughter in law has phoned and said exactly what you all said , that I have to say it like it is and stop trying to look after everyone , put myself first for a bit .

Yes DD non drivers are very naughty and do think it is nothing to just "nip" somewhere because I drive.

Thankyou all so much. xxx

dreamdaisy · 16. May 2010, 13:55

We have given you our sage counsel - we're here if you need us! Good luck with it all and let us know the outcome. Take the greatest care. DD

valval · 16. May 2010, 14:23

i do not drive we do not have a car but travel by taxi bus or train do not ask others to run us about it selfish and lazy

cheshirefay · 16. May 2010, 14:34

Sharmaine,
Thanks for thoughts about shoes , I do have a lot of probs with shoes , my toes don`t bend (need fusion but putting it off for a while)

I will look into trying to find some with thicker soles but they also need to be soft on top because they hurt too much if they press on my toes.
fay xx

cheshirefay · 16. May 2010, 14:40

valval wrote:

i do not drive we do not have a car but travel by taxi bus or train do not ask others to run us about it selfish and lazy

Hi Valval,
Most of the time I don`t mind but some people do think it is nothing to jump into your car and run them . You sound very considerate and independant and I did not mean to say all people who don`t drive do this. I think I am so lucky to have a car and if I am well I would gladly give someone a lift.
Fay xxx

How much rest? How much activity

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