aids and ot

lancslass43

I was diagnosed with RA about 6 months ago. Due to other health problems (mastectomy and lung problems) I have only seen the rheumatologist twice, the last time to say she wasn't able to deal with me until after the mastectomy) Understandable. I'm having a lot of pain in my knees and find it difficult to get out of bed, I can sit up but really struggle to stand. Once I'm on my feet I'm stiff but OK, as long as I don't sit down for too long. Can anyone recommend a good aid to assist me to stand and tell me how to get hold of an O.T. who can advise me on aids that will make my life easier.

hileena111

Hi You can self refer to an OT. The hospital that you saw the rheumy at....phone them and ask for the OT dept and talk to them on the phone
Tell them what you told us ..
Good luck
Love
Hileena

stickywicket

First of all lancslass I'm sorry you seem to have got all these health problems at once. It can't be easy although you sound very practical about it.

I'm trying to remember how long I was off my RA meds after my own mastectomy but it was a long time ago. I do remember that the chemo (are you having chemo?) helped the RA though.

I agree entirely with Hileena. You need proper advice from an OT about what's best for you. Anyone can self-refer but, it might be quicker for you to ring the hospital or even get your GP on board to say it's urgent. I think, in your shoes, I'd try either the ward where you had the mastectomy or your rheumatology helpline. While waiting for them, it might help to put a dining chair at the side of the bed - or anything else that you can use as an aid to standing. (Just ensure it won't topple over if you need to lean heavily on it, though.) Even a walking stick can help.

If you have the same problem getting out of a chair use an extra cushion. In dire straits I've been known to take the seat of one armchair and put it into another so that I'm sitting on two.

Please keep in touch, lancslass, and let's know how things are with you. I hope you've turned a corner now and things will improve.

hileena111

Hi Lanclass
Yes please do keep in touch......
I'm sorry....that post this morning was answered before I had my first cup of coffee {fatal}..... I was just out of bed and waiting for some painkillers to have some effect.
Stickys advice is good.....I have OA not RA.
Hope to hear from you soon
Love
hileena

lancslass43

Thanks Hileena and Sticky Wicket for your advise. I'm attending 3 different hospitals but will ring the RA clinic to try to get hold of an OT. I couldn't have chemo or radiation because I have fibroids on my lungs (thought to be caused by the RA). I was 'fortunate' that the cancer was found early and hopefully it's gone. I have been put on Tamoxifen to stop it going to the other breast but I think this has flared the RA up. I'll try the stand chair at the side of the bed and let you know how I get on with it. I'm just pleased that I have a sense of humour because I must look so comical in some of the positions I get in trying to stand that I have to laugh at myself. I suppose you both know what I mean by that.
Thanks again

stickywicket

You’ve been extremely unlucky to have lung problems caused by only recently diagnosed RA.

At least your cancer was found early. I couldn’t have radiation on mine either. They knew my lymph nodes were affected but, because of the RA in my shoulder, couldn’t get the arm up high enough to do the treatment :roll: Not to worry. That was 20 years or so ago now.

I also took Tamoxifen for 3 years but it didn’t affect my arthritis. However, I usually find I flare after operations so maybe it’s just that.

Lancslass, if anyone watched me doing half the stuff I do they’d be in stitches all day long – throwing a sweater over my head with the aid of a long stick, switching lights off with my head, pulling the bath taps on with my Dad’s old walking stick Who cares as long as things get done? You look after yourself and keep plugging away at stuff.

frogmorton

Hi Lancslass

The others have already given you some good advice - hopefully someone will be able to give you something safer than a chair to heave yourself up with. If I am in trouble I use my walking stick and in the loo the handbasin. Not brilliant really :oops: knees are tricky things :?

Having said that if they can 'raise' the height of your bed (bed blocks maybe?) It helps a LOT. When we changed our bed we got a higher one on purpose.

Good luck and even better with your treatment too

Love

Toni xxx

MrDJ

anything raised is a good thing. after hip replacement (but these can also help with knee problems) i got a raised toilet seat and leg extenders for one arm chair which raises it about 3-4 inches.
now so much easier to get up from.

lancslass43

Thanks everyone, you are all so helpful. I will look into raising the bed with blocks, I don't know why I didn't think of that :!: I used the stand chair this morning and it did help.

stickywicket

I don't know why I didn't think of it either, lancslass :oops: I think you can buy a set of them from any disability store. I hope they help.