Struggling with pain

Tracie

Hi everyone
I'm going through so much pain at mo neck both elbows wrists thumbs hands knees n feet. Wow strong sharp throbbing n stinging pain. Weaning off progablin as felt so drugged. On naprozen n amritropoline n paracetamol. Not touching pain. Seeing physio having acupuncture and got lot off exercise s.
Had knee x ray waiting for results next week .
Using walking stick plus wireless tens machine .really helps.
Just need to know what's going on so I can except and start gighting it mentally. Dr thinks its oestoatheritis.
Gosh feel so fed up at mo zapped of all energy.
Sorry going through some bad days
Tracie

dreamdaisy

You and me both, but I have the advantage of being very used to it. It takes time to find out what helps a little, to accept that nothing - and I mean nothng will adequately deal with the hurts, to learn to better manage and organise one's life with the ever-decreasing energies and to deal with the depression which is bound to result when living with constant pain.

It is good that you are using a stick as that will ease the strain on all your joints (as long as you use it properly). It is there to offer balance and support, don't lean on or over it, keep walking properly despite the pain because this will all help to slow the spread of the OA and keep your muscles better toned. I am also pleased the TENs is helpful, I found it handy in physio but as soon as it was switched off eveything was as before. This was back in 2003 and I still do those exercises ona daily basis.

I forgot my pain the other day as I spotted the snowdrops lining our drive, they have managed to appear despite a heavy covering of bark chippings. If they can get theough that then I can get through this. DD

stickywicket

It sounds as if you're trying really hard to get on top of this, Tracie, and I hope it pays off. Pain relieving tablets never quite do what they say but, if we can find an acceptable level of pain, we can function well. I hope the exercises help. They do with me.

Tracie

Thank you for your reply s.
Def tens machine n walking stick helps and compression gloves really help my hands n wrists.
Struggling with exercises as so painful but feeling bit more positive today.
I suddernly see a flower or a bird or bumble bee and I forget for a second def watching nature helps😍
As so new to all of this extra pain does get me down. Always had neck n back problems but this is a higher level of pain. Especially when it stops me walking or squeezing my shower gel or toothpaste such simple tasks we take for granted. Feels frustrating at mo need to accept and work out best ways to deal with new problems as they arise.
I must say I am finding this forum and the people amazing 😊
Thank you

dreamdaisy

I squeeze toothpaste using my elbow ( tube on side next to basin and apply pressure to the end) and have given up shower gels in favour of bar soap applied to a sponge. Solid shampoo from Lush is handy too rather than squeezing a bottle. I have changed the way I dress so that things are all pull-on. I've learned that it's not a case of 'I can't' , it's more 'How can I?'

I still get down from time to time, I sometimes wonder how life could have been but not for long, that gets me nowhere. I have what I have, it is what it is, it will do what it will do but it will not drag me down with it. DD

stellabean

Hi Tracie I am sorry you are having a bad time I know I have been there more than once in my life. Pain and depression are happy bed fellows they seem to enjoy making life difficult.
Everyone has a different experience with medications mine hasn't been that great so I can't take antidepressants due to side effects,I have been through the pain management route admittedly many years ago but when a psychologist locked me in a room with her, sat cross legged on a chair and told me the pain in my neck was nothing to do with the damaged discs but my reluctance to talk about my 6 miscarriages. If you got upset she would rock back and forth and look happy, I think she got a kick out of it and I realised I wasn't gaining anything. The physio there was good she was the only one encouraging me to remain as mobile as possible, I have been doing her exercises for over 20 years.
I have learnt to concentrate on what I can do and like DD adapt how I do other things, I squeeze the shampoo into a small dish before I get in the bath using my knee on the side of the bath once wet the bottle is as slippery as a fish.
My snowdrops are up too but also some snakehead fritillaries that shouldn't flower until April May time. Now I walk slower I see so much more when I am in the countryside which is great except when it rains like last weekend and you realise your waterproof clothing isn't hurrying isn't an option!.

stickywicket

Tracie wrote:

I suddernly see a flower or a bird or bumble bee and I forget for a second def watching nature helps.

You are working out your own coping strategies, Tracie, and that's definitely a good way to go.

There are often ways round things as DD has shown with the toothpaste. I use that method too. And I always use the same, flip top shower gel as it's the only one I can open. There are lots of ideas for help on online disability stores but sometimes it's just simple things like a lightweight kettle with a side handle - much less pressure on hands and wrists especially if you put the other hand underneath to steady it when pouring. Try here, too, for tips https://arthritiscareforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=18372.

stellabean - that must have been a horrendous experience with the psychologist at an incredibly tough time in your life. No wonder you are so mentally strong now after overcoming it.

Tracie

Hi
I use a toothpaste squeezer attached to the end of the tube its easier at mo as my elbows are so painful. Also managing with a empty hand gel push down for shower gel. Amazing how we rethink things.
Wow what an experience you had stella bean so sorry that must of been awful for you . I'm on waiting list for a councillor at mo . Think others like yourselves are best at understanding sometimes you dont know till you have been there.
Def inventing more coping methods .thinking nice thoughts bubble baths relaxing nature. I dont care now as using walking stick hand gloves n tens machine as long as it helps. But st first was a massive thing using walking stick.
Had knee xray results today all normal seeing my dr next week. Good news as no cartlidge damage but joints so hot n painful. Hope now I can see a specialist I'm lucky my dr is really lovely and very good. Just would like to know where I go from here.
Drugs are so unique to diff people hoping pain management can help been seeing them for few years all tho I'm not very good with drugs and side effects.
Been blue sky and sunny day where I live today always lifts our spirits.
Take care everyone and thank you x

Tracie

Also I would like to add I sing to backing tracks i must say singing and music are very healing. As you lose yourself in the moment. Has helped me alot over the last few years .
Tracie

stickywicket

I remember once when a friend arrived and had tio let herself in as I couldn';t hear the bell over the noise of (a)the radio and (b)my own singing to the radio. It had been a bad morning painwise

stellabean

I am watching the snow at the moment it looks like a winter wonderland in the garden. I did have trouble finding the sheep's feeding trough but they enjoyed their breakfast. We have about 3 inches but the road has been ploughed and is clear. We have some new neighbours (from area where they don't get snow) they have been making a snowman.
I am planning the flowers I am going to grow this year I have promised my friend to take on the men in the horticultural classes they hate it when a woman wins.

Tracie

Ha ha sticky wicket I just lol thank you .I know music is incredible I so love singing.
Stella bean wow wonderful I love watching snow. Lovely that your planning flowers to plant. Esp to beat the men lol
Just rain here. Love things to look forward too however small.
Hurry up spring.
Xxxx