So, here's the plan.

dreamdaisy

It's a tricky thing, isn't it Bubbadog? We want to help ourselves but not make things worse. Hmmmmm.

Today I managed to clear the last of the decorations. In addition to that I've driven to Sainsbriz, carried some shopping (three trips from the house tothe car) fed and unloaded the washing machine twice and washed up. Hand-wise I've over-done it which is exasperating as I was also planning to do some ironing. No matter, I'll do that tomorrow (and take life a little easier too) because the last thing I want to do is set myself back by being stupid. Patience Daisy, patience, this is only the seventh week. The pretty exercise bands can wait. DD

applerose

I've got some exercise machines - treadmill, rowing machine, stepper. Haven't used them in ages but am planning to .... sometime.... maybe.

Yes DD, no rush. There's always tomorrow.

bubbadog

Blimey DD!! What you do in a day is pretty much the same as a full work out!! They say anything that gets your heart pumping is burning calories! (That's the truth!) I think I'll take up more of that exercise routine you do in the bedroom with someone else!! Sexacise!! 'Mr bubba, get yourself into that bedroom I need to do my exercise for the day!!' Got some more routines from the 50 shades trilogy to try out!!

dreamdaisy

That wasn't an especially busy day, Bubbadog. I'm trying to get back into some sort of routine because it's about time I started pulling my weight around here again. Mr DD has done his bit so it's time for me to ease myself back in. I'm not driving today, or doing laundry, but I have knackered things hand-wise by doing a spot of ironing (OUCH!) lunch will be tackled shortly then it's rest until cooking dinner tonight. None of it, however, is geared towards making me feel fitter, all it seems to do is drain what little energy I have; my hope is that the stretchy band stuff will help to build a little more stamina for me so that I'm not wiped out by doing basic life stuff. That's the plan, anyway. DD

kentishlady

Oh DD, you deserve a medal for all your efforts. Am glad to know you are progressing well after your recent ops, but do think you perhaps need to take it a shade easier. I think we all know that we should exercise but the fact of the matter is that if you are in constant pain and/or have difficulty walking, then that is easier said than done (like lots of things). Do try and take it a bit easier. Your messages always make me smile when am feeling fed up with myself and think your views of the exercise regime are great.

Look after yourself.

Beryl

dreamdaisy

You are spot on, Beryl - the ironing has proved to be too much and on reflection I was an idiot to try. :roll: I am now in the seventh week, things are generally OK on the hands front (apart ffrom the arthritis) but it's still surprising me just how 'upsetting' this op has been . I think the PsA meds are inhibiting the healing, the scars are still very sore and tender and my fingers hurt but I do need to get back to work, I was hoping that would be next week but now I'm not so sure. My work as a private tutor for dyslexics is quite 'fiddly' and it's the fiddly things I'm finding the hardest. :roll: Cutting, writing, squeezing tubes, picking things up, it's all a but 'hit and miss' (as is my temper). No matter, I am better than I was and I will continue to improve. Onwards and sideways I go! DD

PS I'm happy I can make you smile - life with arthritis isn't all disaster, it can have its lighter side.

stickywicket

dreamdaisy wrote:

my hope is that the stretchy band stuff will help to build a little more stamina for me so that I'm not wiped out by doing basic life stuff. That's the plan, anyway. DD

Stamina? Are you sure stamina and PsA are compatible :? I'm half serious. I find I can build up my repetitions with the exercises (And have to if ever I miss for a few days) but, if flaring, it all goes by the board anyway and it's back to a few gentler ones. I think what I'm saying :roll: is that I can build up the ability to eg walk further, iron longer etc but the minute I stop doing those things regularly, due to flare, a cold, holiday etc. it all goes and I'm back to my familiar friend Square One.

However, purely by accident, I have just discovered a brilliant exercise. Get Mr DD to place a bottle of the good stuff at the back of the cupboard, slightly out of reach. I'm just back from a brief, very cold walk and decided a mug of mulled wine was called for. So I stretched and I stretched and I emptied the cupboard and stretched again. At first I was convinced I'd never reach it but, lo, a miracle! After umpteen stretches and lunges I emerged, panting, with bottle in hand. (Then I'd to ask him to open it )

dreamdaisy

I understand exactly what you mean about our 'good' friend Square One - I guess it is all somewhat different when there's an auto as well as an OA to contend with. What helps one doesn't help the other and vice versa. :roll: Which taskmaster should one aim to please?

Now, your workout sounds ideal - lots of good physical stuff and a lovely reward at the end. Maybe I'll leave a choccy biccy on one of the stairs whilst stretching with my bands! I'm gearing myself up now to peel/scrub some veg, yet again dinner will all be done in the oven regardless of whether the constituents cook better that way or not. As long as it's hot, not raw and basically tasty . . . . . . what more could any man want? (Don't answer that!) DD

stickywicket

OK I'll be good and not answer, though several spring to my lips.

Choccy biccy on the stairs :shock: You cannot, to quote J McE, be serious. You could end up at the bottom, bikkie clutched in hot, sweaty hand and the rest of you knotted tightly in your exercise bands. Stick with the wine stretching exercises. Far safer.

dreamdaisy

Ah, I should have clarified which set of stairs (I could picture 'em, why couldn't you? ) I meant the upper flight (the ones I very rarely climb) so I could stretch despite the tether to the newel post. :shock: DD

mig

You two really get me giggling ,are you twins separated at birth?please take care DD and you Sticky when reaching for that bottle.Mig

applerose

They've got me giggling too Mig imagining Sticky emptying the cupboard to get to the good stuff and DD tied to the stairs.

dreamdaisy

Actually that is a very good mental image - even I'm enjoying it!

Right, working on the basis that the best person to help me is me I've been out and bought myself a pair of hand therapy squeeze balls in different densities. (It's just dawned on me that the two colours I have purchased are dead ringers for me rubber bands -get in! ) Needless to say they were contained in that rigid plastic packaging that defies any means of entry one tries to effect but I eventually extracted them - ye gods, hand therapy thingies in ghastly packaging. Where is the common sense? :roll:

They are the two lowest densities, 15 and 20 (whatever that means) and the packet has a list of exercises on the back. I've only tried the basic squeeze and that is enough - I can feel the tug on the scar and that is sufficient methinks. My hands have gradually been weakening so I hope that fiddling about with these when watching telly etc will help me to recover some strength in my fingers and wrists. They feel rather pleasant in the hand, similar to a jelly cube in resistance but I'm sure that jelly cubes taste better. (There's nothing like eating an orange jelly cube, cor, love it - why make the jelly?)

So, I've got me stretchy bands and me bouncy little balls. Let chaos begin - but not just yet. DD

dachshund

Hello DD
how are the balls behaving good i hope.
take care dont hurt yourself.
joan xx

stickywicket

dreamdaisy wrote:

hand therapy thingies in ghastly packaging. Where is the common sense? :roll:

Maybe the exercise lies in undoing the packaging, DD and the balls are just your reward for effort? Re colours and matching up with your bands - I'm wondering if there is an acknowledged colour range (as in Judo belts but not quite ) as I have the lightest hand weight I could buy, for exercise purposes, and that, too, is pink.

mig wrote:

are you twins separated at birth?

Well, the secret's out. As you guessed, mig, DD and I are twins. Siamese twins actually. She was born down south and I in Yorkshire. It was a difficult birth. We share a brain and we were separated as soon as they could locate it - 1996, I believe. Her real name is stickydaisy and I'm dreamwicket. An age difference of over ten years is extremely rare in Siamese twins so we're a bit of an anomaly.

After the separation our lives have continued to run parallel. We both grew up. (She grew a bit further up than me.) We both married blokes of the opposite gender. And, of course, we both became avid collectors of arthritises and other medical conditions. Between us we have nearly got an alphabet.

dreamdaisy

Alas, our secret's out. I have to say I miss dreamwicket very, very much, those wonderful years spent conjoined over varying distances was tough at times but we blundered through with varying degrees of injury and sobriety.

I can't find the bands. :shock: I wasn't planning on starting anything with them today (not while he's around ready to hoot with laughter) but they've disappeared. I have fiddled with my balls (stop sniggering at the back) and my hands are gently pulsating with pain - happiness is. :roll: DD

valval

dd you are a trier i will give you that but step back and think your poor hands have been through it and need time meds stop healing so you will take longer i think pouring wine lifting said drink and refilling enough exercise for any one not to mention getting up and walking (wobbling to kitchen) enough for now so good luck love sound of ball could do with them val

bubbadog

Hey DD you are a trooper for keeping at it! All I know is this flu has completely drained me and I find getting out of bed at the moment an effort in it's self!! You keep at it honey and I hope you get the result your after! Hope the sexercise, brought a smile to your face, if it did that's a result for me!!

applerose

It wasn't me sniggering at the back. Maybe you are not meant to start this exercise yet. Maybe you need to let your hands heal just a little more. Just do some more thinking about it. Perhaps while sitting on the stairs.