think your having a good day and all of a sudden it hits you

princess935 · 16. Jun 2011, 13:04

Felt great wed morning, woke with no stiffness, no pain, and felt great.
Decided that walking stick not needed that day, so left it at home and went to college.

Well last night about 6pm, it all came crashing down, the pain in my left knee was awfull, not as bad in right knee, could hardly walk all of a sudden, was really limping and really needed my stick. Had a terrible night, took my new meds from doc and they didnt do anything til about 3 this morning.

I have really rested my legs today and not even gone out the house.

Some days i dont feel like i need my stick but by the time the afternoon comes and i have been walking round all morning without it the pain is worse than if i use it when i havent got pain - does that make sense.

I try not to use it when i dont need too, but then few hours later the pain is terrible.

gonna go chop my legs off, they are doing my head in now

dreamdaisy · 16. Jun 2011, 13:20

It's a steep learning curve, there is no doubt about that. Using a stick not only helps, it can also prevent things getting too bad. Arthritis is a sneaky enemy, it likes to lull you into thinking that things are not too bad and that you can be a little more like a 'normal' person, then it swings in and punishes you for being so audacious.

I guess I have been fortunate in that after my first op I was on crutches for a while, that was fine, then I graduated to two sticks, also fine, then one, OK, but it never got better after that. I have been clattering about on crutches for years now and don't think twice about it. If you are coming to this 'fresh' so to speak, the shock must be enormous. I am so sorry, princess, this is far from an easy time for you, but it does get easier (in some ways) as you adjust to the new demands and restrictions of life. DD

princess935 · 16. Jun 2011, 13:42

Thanks dd, i am still coming to terms with it, as it had gone down hill so fast.

its another lesson learnt

dreamdaisy · 16. Jun 2011, 13:53

It all takes time, and it is a very difficult thing with which to get to grips. I am lucky in that I am a number of years ahead of you in managing this dross and I know now to quit whilst I (laughingly) think I am ahead. It still grates, however, that I have to do so. The unfairness . . . . but hey, who said life would be fair? It never has been, it isn't and it never will be. I wish you well, rest as much as you can tonight and perhaps tomorrow too. If you need to get out and about, take the stick. DD

PS. A sudden thought: would a foldable one be useful? It's there if needed, but could be hidden if not.

tillytop · 16. Jun 2011, 13:53

Evening Princess - and DD

Just wanted to say I am sorry you are struggling so much.

Thinking of you.

Love Tilly xxx

julie47 · 16. Jun 2011, 14:03

Hi princess

I was just going to suggest a folding stick but dd has alredy done so.

I hope you feel a whole lot better tomorrow.
Take care
Juliepf x

princess935 · 16. Jun 2011, 14:06

thanks dd, i have a folding one.

tt- thanks too, think i have to make more changes to the way i live, i accepted it now, but still have more lessons to learn i think

constable · 16. Jun 2011, 14:34

Hi Princess,

I am sorry that you are suffering like this. It is very hard to accept arthritis when it really starts to get to you. I was the same, Wouldn't accept that I needed a stick, felt to awkward to use one. Then after joining this forum realisation hit and I knew making myself more comfortable would have to use a stick. It's a hard thing to accept but once you do, then you can start living your life in a way that is easier for you to deal with.

Karen xx

hileena111 · 16. Jun 2011, 14:52

Hi Princess,
Dont think of it as something only someone old uses or someone who is disabled.
Think of it as a "Coping Mechanism" It lets you do things that you cant do without it.
Thats the way I look at my mobility scooter....dont have to use it all the time....but I know the places I have to use it and i refuse to worry about people thinking I'm disabled......I can go further than I can without it and enjoy it wheras if I did it without the scooter I would be in such pain and not enjoy it at all...Example.....I'm going to our Metro Center tomorrow afternoon....I could walk {even with a stick} for about 10 mins there and get back to the car and be in real pain.....if I use the scooter round there I can be there for as long as I want to be......tomorrow will be about 3 hours and I'll be no sorer than normal when I get back to the car.
Sorry if that sounds like a lecture...its just something I fought with at the beginning.

Love
Hileena

tjt6768 · 16. Jun 2011, 17:34

That realisation that the stick really is a friend more than an enemy hits hard eh? I remember it well hun.. And I still make the same mistake now... Oh, I'm not too bad, I'll manage this little bott of walking without my stick/s.... Yeah right, you know how much arthur likes to play the payback games, thing is, the bugger always wins :roll:
You will get there hun. We are all here for that bit of moral support too, sometimes that's as important as the physical support from the stick..

Be well mi dear, rest if your body is telling you to..

princess935 · 16. Jun 2011, 17:53

i think i am tuning in with my body now and know what is working and what isnt.

Remember a few weeks back, that party i went to and i had a terrible time, didnt take stick etc, well planned a birthday day and nite out with my friends last saturday. Rested well, took plenty painkillers (not od or anything, the right amount) in the morning and rested. Well i had a fab time, got a bit tipsy sang bit karaoke and had a little dance, no stick my friends were so great they linked arms with me when we where walking, we agreed it before we went out t have to take the stick, was worried about forgeting it.

I had a fab time, and know now that times like that need careful planning and plenty of rest before and after.

Last saturday really cheered me up, because i thought i was gonna have to decline all offers of nights out because i would be miserable.

And thanks to all you guys, the advice and support has been great, I always take in what advice you give me.

Thanks and huggs

princess x

tjt6768 · 16. Jun 2011, 18:21

That's great to hear that you had a good time hun. See, just a few alterations (easier said than done, lol) and you can still enjoy most of the things you used to do...
I used to love having a food old boogie, especially to soul or funky stuff, them days are over for me, unless they short my knees out & permanently numb my lower spine, haha..

Good for you though, and I'm glad that you've got a good bunch of friends too.

Right, must sleep, goodnight hun, sleep well.

hileena111 · 17. Jun 2011, 02:37

Hi
Thats fantastic that you had a great night....and that you are realising its do-able with the right planning

Do you have any tablets that are there to take "if you need them"? I have a certain amount of regular ones that get taken all the time then the ones are there ....for when I need them.....Thats one of the times I would use them.....planning to go out ...although partying is out at the minute

or having a really busy day in front of me.

Well done

Love
Hileena

bubbadog · 17. Jun 2011, 05:41

Hi Princess, It's a case of learning where your limits are for walking with out stick, It's different with everyone. But you need to remember on a good day you still have Arthur learking in the back ground! It's so easy to think 'wow I feel great' and get silly by over doing it we have all done it. And it is upseting when realiseing your not superwomen and your still sick. Don't punish yourself we all do it. Amanda/bubbadog

think your having a good day and all of a sudden it hits you

Comments

Categories