can't do this anymore

lululu

Morning Salamander hows your fettle, hope you are feeling better. I am just going back to bed, I don't usually have trouble sleeping but have been up and done all my housework - well some of it, it is never finished. Have a good day.

dolittle

Hello Sal,
I've been feeling very much like you. I'm off my meds. - have a chest infection that won't clear off!. Have only just seen your post 'cos I've just not felt like doing anything.

Now I've read the thread and seen that you have got hold of your bootstraps - with the support of the 'gang' - and are pulling yourself back to normality ... you've given me the shove that I needed. Thanks, chucks! Hope you feel a whole lot better very soon. I'm so glad you've got a good rheumy .. it makes such a difference.

Sending you some (((( )))))s.
Dolittle

dreamdaisy

Hello salamander, 'tis only I checking in to see how you are today. Thinking of you. DD

carola

Hey Sally

Your last post was good to read and put me in mind of a powerball.

Do you remember these powerballs we used to play with when we were little? Rubber balls that bounced to the sky when we threw them?

I think that is what we are all like - colourful powerballs. Some days we get so low trying to cope with all that is thrown at us that we hit the ground but then 'cos we are colourful powerballs balls we bounce right back up as high as we can.

Yee gads, reading back my post it sounds like I have taken too many of all my pills this morning haha!

You get the gist of what I am trying to say ..... you hit a low point and yet you've bounced right back up - well done.

Boing, boing, boing, boing!
Have a good day today, Sally and keep smiling, Carol x

alarkra

Morning Salamander,

All I can do for you today is this:
(((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))

Hope you feel a little better. xx

salamander

Thanks everyone! Carola, DD, Sue, Alarkra, Dolittle and anyone I have left out. Am trying to hang on to my equilibrium today as couldn't sleep last night - eventually 3am and up at 9am. Some people can manage on 6 hours sleep, I can't. So going to try and be a bit kind to myself today. Got to recognise that I'm going to have good and bad days. So, this morning typed up list in big letters to remind myself of the things I can do when having a bad flare. Stuck it up on the notice board right in front of the computer. It's too easy to forget one's strategies when you are feeling under par. Well, I do anyway.
Will check in with everyone later. Hope you are all ok.
xx

Wonkylegs

that's a great thing to do

I have a similar list in my purse, on the kitchen cupboard and by my bed, but hadn't thought of by the computer ..... will print another one off so thanks for that!

well done you on looking after yourself ...... we sometimes forget that we are important too

hugs
WOnky

salamander

thanks Wonky - wonder if would could ask for a sticky so peeps could post their strategies up? Might help everyone when they are feeling a bit down. What do you think?

skezier

Hi Sally,

I think you should rename the post I can do it..... You have only got anther week to go Sally. Like Iris said rumo's have a whole array of things at their disposal and you said yours is good and I am sure she will help you.

If he doesn't ...... me..... a ton of cats..... a sheep (not a very nice sheep at that ) and all this lot will be out your pocket and make her help you.

My strategy by the way is visualization, relaxation, meditation, drifting and denial. Its an odd mix but I think we do all find our own way through in the end. Bit hard finding it Sally but you will find yours! Love a ((((( ))))) and a cuppa. Cris xx

tillytop

Hi Sally

Just seen your thread and I am so sorry you are struggling so much at the moment.

But reading your most recent post it sound as if some of your fight is returning. Our "copes" to use Skezier's wonderful imagery take a real beating and sometimes we do need help to get them refluffed and functioning again. Frogmorton and Skezier are excellent cope re-fluffers - I think they should set up in business. They would be multi-millionnaires by now!!!!

Seriously though, please do talk to your friends about how you are feeling, rather than trying to muddle through on your own. Depression and arthritis can both be very isolating and it is easy to cut yourself off when you don't feel you can face doing things and it's then a bit of a vicious cirlcle.

Thinking of you lots.

Lots love Tilly xxx

salamander

skezier wrote:

Hi Sally,

I think you should rename the post I can do it..... You have only got anther week to go Sally. Like Iris said rumo's have a whole array of things at their disposal and you said yours is good and I am sure she will help you.

If he doesn't ...... me..... a ton of cats..... a sheep (not a very nice sheep at that ) and all this lot will be out your pocket and make her help you.

My strategy by the way is visualization, relaxation, meditation, drifting and denial. Its an odd mix but I think we do all find our own way through in the end. Bit hard finding it Sally but you will find yours! Love a ((((( ))))) and a cuppa. Cris xx

Thanks Cris! Love the idea of animals piling into the office! I think you should start a cartoon strip! What's up with the sheep by the way? Why is he not nice?

Visualization, drifting and denial and ones I shall add to mine. I've got meditation on mine too, plus stretches, pain control, ice packs, heat pads, pacing, resting and treats! Believe it or not, I forget things like ice packs and pacing when things are bad. Also treats. But am, right now, making myself fudge brownies! Got my niece coming over at the weekend so they will do for her too - if there are any left! They smell fabulous!
xx

salamander

tillytop wrote:

Hi Sally

Just seen your thread and I am so sorry you are struggling so much at the moment.

But reading your most recent post it sound as if some of your fight is returning. Our "copes" to use Skezier's wonderful imagery take a real beating and sometimes we do need help to get them refluffed and functioning again. Frogmorton and Skezier are excellent cope re-fluffers - I think they should set up in business. They would be multi-millionnaires by now!!!!

Seriously though, please do talk to your friends about how you are feeling, rather than trying to muddle through on your own. Depression and arthritis can both be very isolating and it is easy to cut yourself off when you don't feel you can face doing things and it's then a bit of a vicious cirlcle.

Thinking of you lots.

Lots love Tilly xxx

Thanks Tilly, yes I think Toni and Cris would have a great business. It seems unbelievable that one can forget things that help but guess it is symptomatic of how low one goes. I've got the tools just got to use them. Plus thanks to everyone here who has boosted me up these past couple of days.
xx

skezier

Hi Sally,

She had a hoof abscess a good year ago and its left her with a little pocket of very stubborn infection. Every so often she gets a bit of a flare in it and we just try to get it shut down a bit. She will be 11 round march time so its quite hard to get it to clear right up.

Hey 6 days almost now and any chance of a fudge brownie? ((( ))) xx

salamander

skezier wrote:

Hi Sally,

She had a hoof abscess a good year ago and its left her with a little pocket of very stubborn infection. Every so often she gets a bit of a flare in it and we just try to get it shut down a bit. She will be 11 round march time so its quite hard to get it to clear right up.

Hey 6 days almost now and any chance of a fudge brownie? ((( ))) xx

Poor thing! I expect you are looking after her well and you certainly know about flare ups. Don't we all.

Yes, I've saved some brownies for you, they are soft and gooey on the inside so you'll have to eat them with a fork (I'll do a trade for some duck eggs.) Some for everyone - can't eat them all myself.
take care hun, hope tomorrow is a good day ((()))

skezier

Hi Sally,

You got a deal my friend You get a good night and the weekend will help you pass time till your seen. (((( )))) Cris xx

dreamdaisy

It is easy to forget how one usually manages, as things can overwhelm one from nowhere. I hadn't heard of copes until I found this forum, and thus one of its most charismatic members. My cope is long, electric blue and very fluffy, thanks to its recent refurbishment by SkezMorton Cope Replenishers ('No Cope too Tatty' is our motto!) It is back, working a treat, and reeking of Comfort. Keep in touch, slamander. If we don't know, we can't help. DD

stlucia

Just dropping in to send you a quick hug this morning before work! I hope today is a better one. Be kind to yourself today and have a nice cuppa when you get up

dreamdaisy

Morning salamander, I hope things are not too bad today. My patch of the eastern region is promised 'white cloud' weather-wise - hurrah! No rain! Yeah, right. I'll just wait and see. DD

ironic

Hi Sally,
Did you sleep any better last night? Looks as if the sun will be coming out so a little trip out for coffee might be on the cards? Like the list idea. Soon will be weekend and your niece will be with you. Sorry she missed out on the brownies!! (but they were sooo nice). Better get rid of the crumbs I think.

Lv, Ix

psyart

Hi Sally

sorry not writen on to you before - have read what has been going on and I think what Cris and Toni have suggested is good advice - but you do seem to have thought of something good as well - notes about what you can do when bad :!:

we do forget what we are able to do when things are bad - but i also think this forum is a godsend - especially when things are bad :!: We have all had bad times so understand how it feels - down to how guilty we can get for feeling so bad to the frustration of how slow it is to get to see someone for treatment :!:

hope you are okish today :?: (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) and heaps of support - can i fit in your pocket when you go next week :?:

Louise xxx

salamander

hi Cris, dd, Ironic, St.Lu and Louise

Thanks for your message of good will and support - glad those of you who got their hands on my brownies enjoyed them (there are a few left if you've missed out!)

I'm feeling a lot more positive today. Went for my flu jab this morning :roll: and there was a medical student doing them so had a bit of an off-loading sesh with her. She was great. Then went for coffee with a friend round the corner, spent the rest of the morning with him and we went for lunch. It's done me the world of good. My friend is great - drops me off home etc. Saw a few other peeps today too. It's so much better when I can get out in the world.
xx

dreamdaisy

Getting out does make a huge difference: sometimes it is too easy to sit indoors and fester. One knows that going out will help but one feels dis-inclined to make the effort due to tiredness and/or arthritic payback! I am gearing myself up for an outing on Saturday - truth be told at the moment I do not want to go, but I know that I will enjoy it so to hell with the consequences! I am glad you have had a better day - here's to more. DD

salamander

thanks DD, going anywhere exciting on Saturday?

venita

salamander wrote:

I've hesitated posting again as everyone has been so supportive of late. However, I've got so depressed over the past couple of weeks. I can't do very much at all and am just sitting at home mostly waiting for my appointment to see the consultant next week. I can't walk very far without being in a lot of pain, can't do much with my hands. When I put the steroids up I just end up crying half the day. I live on my own and have no help. Friends keep inviting me out but just don't feel up to going.

I will call my gp tomorrow and ask, again, to go on antidepressants. I just don't hold out much hope for the future.

Hi Sally
I just want to say that I was like this a few weeks ago I could not stop crying,did not want to be here, moody feeling like there was no point to anything any more pain all the time and not sleeping. My Husband pulled me out of it made me go to the Drs and talk to him about the way I was feeling he put me back on anti depressants and I have to say I am feeling much better sleeping a lot more coping a bit better. It is hard when like us being in pain all the time not sleeping properly and friends and family bless them as much as they try they can not imagine being in our shoes.
I do hope you can get some help and that you will soon be out of this and feeling a bit brighter.
Love Venita x

salamander

thanks Venita, seems as if it can be a common problem. I haven't seen my doctor yet. To be honest am bored with ringing about one thing and another but what I have done is start taking the amitriptyline again which I had stopped. Sleeping better and feel a bit calmer. Will talk to gp soon.
thanks for your support.
xx