Feels like I'm gonna collapse...

sunnyhours
sunnyhours Member Posts: 151
edited 24. Sep 2010, 15:58 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone,
I'm not really feeling good this past week, with work and the stress that comes with it, since my real boss came back from vacation, work has been a nightmare...
I'm not sure but I'm guessing RA is aggravated by stress...
My right knee feels like it's gonna collapse and my left isn't that far from that either, so for the weekend at least I'm gonna be using a cane to try to save my right knee.
I just feel so old, being 21, and the need to use a cane already, it never really worked out in my mind...Feels like I've wasted my "young" days...

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think RA can be aggravated by stress, so the boss returning isn't going to help, is it? Using a cane is a good idea - maybe even two, so that both joints can have the strain taken off them. That will make a big difference to how your joints feel. Would you be able to use at least one in work? You must have a deal of bending and stretching, possibly even kneeling, and that isn't going to help either. Do you get the full week-end off, or do you have to go in sometimes? Hopefully you can have two full days' rest. You haven't wasted your young days, sunnyhours, the arthritis has. Your name sums up your spirit - but the clouds will still gather from time to time. Hang on in there, Fred, use the canes, get some rest, things will ease. I have a friend on here who sends people 'buckets of hopes' so I am going to pinch one or two from her and send them winging your way. Thinking of you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • angie1973
    angie1973 Member Posts: 248
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I feel like that at 36, wondering what the heck I need a stick for and how stupid I am, but then I know there is nothing to be ashamed of and I don't use a stick because I want sympathy, I use it because I need it and otherwise I would either fall over, or end up limping and in a lot of pain.

    No-one else has the right to judge you, or make you feel bad about being ill. You didn't ask for it, none of us did.

    So I'm sending you lots of gentle hugs, it sounds like you need them, and a good rest too.

    At least it's Friday today. I for one, am looking forward to two days off work!

    Take care hun.
    Ange..xx
    _______________________

    Only 99.9% possessed by the giggle monster.........the other 0.01 % just eats chocolate..
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sunnyhours,

    our tolerance to pain is lessened by stress and so we are more susceptible to the symptoms of arther when stressed. I would suspect that our bodies are more likely to succumb to arther too when we are stressed.

    What a shame your real boss had to come back.

    Using a stick is sensible but as you say makes you feel old. I have never used the walking stick the physio gave me (it is a wooden one) it makes think of old ladies!! I have always preferred using a metal crutch as it looks "surgical/medical," ie this woman has an injury/medical problem rather than this woman is old (followed by, I wonder what face cream she uses??!!) Do you have a metal walking stick? There are also some funky ones online. Rest up this weekend, hope things improve soon.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • nanasue
    nanasue Member Posts: 465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Suunyhours
    Nice to meet you, sorry you're having a bad time at the moment. I'm 56 and still feel I'm too young to have a cane but have just given in and got a funky one from www.aidmobility.co.uk it folds and has a special shaped handle for rheumatoid arthritis, there are lots of patterns and some fold or not whatever you need. I think it was about £16.99 (cheaper than on another site where they were £35 for the saame thing) with a couple of pund p&p and arrived really quickly. Hope this helps and you feel better soon.

    Love Sue x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sunnyhours. :D

    Stress definitely has a huge impact on arther as well as our emotions.

    I was told this by my rheummy last year when I was going through a horrendous time with work / dwp and extremely stressed by it all.

    Is there someone at work... other than the unhelpful boss who you can talk to? it does help to have a friendly face you can turn to when work pressures/ people get to you. :wink:

    I am sorry you've had arther to deal with at your age. :( and it is a brave decision to use a stick... but a sensible one too as it takes the pressure off sore joints. There are some quirky, brightly decorated sticks out there, so it doesn't have to be the 'old lady' type of wooden or metal stick that you use. :D

    Hope you have a lovely weekend sunnyhours. :wink:

    Iris xxx
  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i know what you mean about using a stick, i have a couple of different ones depending on my mood, although at the moment i still use my daughters pushchair, it better that a stick as i find they aren't supportive enough, still dreading the day i can't take the pushchair out!!
    i felt so self conscious when i firt=st started using a walking stick, everyone asked why i had it ect, but you'll soon almost forget about it and just get on!
    hope you feel better soon and rest over the week end you need to!
    sue
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,902
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sunnyhours

    Poor you - yes RA IS aggravated by stress.

    Easy for me to say, but you have to try to switch off a bit for your own health's sake.

    Using a stick is the best idea - it will help and is far safer and hopefully just temporary.

    Your 'young' years are still here. You still think young mentally wont you :wink: hopefully you will get some respite soon.


    Love

    toni xx
  • beowolf
    beowolf Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sunny

    I know how rotten it is to have to walk with a stick but ,as others have said , you can get some really funky ones . I can't walk without mine now, and honestly you do soon get used to it.

    I was really self conscious when i first went out ,till my daughter asked me how many other people i thought we would see with sticks....she said 5, i said 10 and we stopped counting at twenty :D

    have a good week-end

    Beo
  • sunnyhours
    sunnyhours Member Posts: 151
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yeah I'm using my grandpa's cane...it's pretty nice (black with orange stripes lol) but being a huge fan of "House M.D" I'd love to get the same as he has on the show with the flames on it...lol
    Today I'm not really feeling well, I'm folded in half cuz of pain in my stomach which happens once in a while...
    I'm probably going to end up at the doctor's office tomorrow because of the "everyday" pain an because of the new stomach pains...might be GERD, both my parents have that...
    And yes I have the weekend off and Friday too :) But I went to pick up my paycheck and seeing as I make less than half what I used to at my old job does get on my mind lol
    Thanks so much for the support!!
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ummmm - GERD? I don't know if we have that in England sunnyhours! A House cane is fine - can you do your painkillers with such style tho? :D You take care, rest as much as you can. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • sunnyhours
    sunnyhours Member Posts: 151
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Gastro Entestinal Reflux Disease...I don't know it was just so painful...
    But I'm trying to rest...now at least I just have to deal with knee and back pain hehehe
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've had a folding type cane for a while now but only use it wehn my back gives out but now my right hiopa nd knee are p[alying me up , maybe instead of carrying it in my bag I should use it , like soem of you i feel at 49 to be too young for a stick but reading that some of you are so much younger, does make me stop and think why carry it when i could be using it to alleviate the pain you hold your self my stiffly then when you use a cane so maybe it would help to stop this,
    and stress most definatly does make arther more painful, I have a daughter in law from hell who at times suffers bad PMS for days she likes to make my life hell and its then my arther really does play up with her saying your not that ill you've only got OA , I really do not wish arther on anyone but days like that maybe for one day she should find out how much pain I truly am in, :x
  • sunnyhours
    sunnyhours Member Posts: 151
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I went to the doctor yesterday...a different one since they were closed and she ORDERED me to pass some X-rays and get the blood tests done...she said that if not treated soon I could start losing mobility in my joints...
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Do as she says, sunnyhours. You need to get to the bottom of this and get on some proper meds maybe. Do I start calling you Gregory now? :D I hope you are as OK as you can be - did you get some decent rest over the week-end? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sunnyhours

    Sorry to hear that you're not feeling so well. Please use your aids when you're feeling like this. I used to feel ancient when I first started using a walking stick but I graduated from that to elbow crutches and eventually a wheelchair. I had OA in both knees and I had a total knee replacement this February only one more TKR to go. I feel for you with regards to the knee pain and when it is in both of them it is agonising.

    It sounds as if you need a rest.

    Take care and I hope you feel better soon.

    Sharmaine
  • sunnyhours
    sunnyhours Member Posts: 151
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes I did, actually just woke up from a 3h nap hehe.
    But I stopped using the cane though, cuz it would make one knee feel better but the other knee would be hurting the next day...
    So I was always changing side with the cane...
    I'm doing ok, although the pain keeps getting worse and the codeine isn't really cutting it...
  • lupin15
    lupin15 Member Posts: 2,182
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I am sure stress has a lot to make most conditions worse and i have found that for sure. I cut back on my hours last September at which time i did not realise that i had arthur..(long story cancer/treatment etc). I have found that i am better but now i am trying to do the same job in the same time... :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: not possible. Some some days i am fine others not. It all depends how stressed i am. Now trying to relax and go with the flow..... :lol::) not easy. It maybe worth considering reducing hours worked or if you are really run down with it all go sick. You will get no thanks for running yourself into the ground. Friday today...thank god rest over the weekend. HugsXXXXXX
  • sunnyhours
    sunnyhours Member Posts: 151
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't have the most supportive parents...my mom has tons of debts and my dad doesn't care anymore about me and he's always been extremely cheap...so reducing my hours isn't an option, I already have enough difficulties making it through the month as it is lol

    I would never be able to have sick days either...and I can't really say I can't work, it's mostly just painful. Like you've said, some days I'm ok, some days I'm in a bad shape...which brings on bad mood :( When I'm in pain, I become very impatient and irritable...and people know it and they don't like it...