Hello

Gail139

Hello I have osteoarthritis.

It can stop me getting on with my life but I have to try the best I can.

I struggle with the simple chores off doing housework. I do one job & have to have a rest. I have a small place but can take up to 2 days to get everything done.

Gardening is a big struggle I am lucky if I can get 20-30 minutes done then I have to.have a rest & that can hurt me for ages Last year I didn't even manage to.get my garden finished. I am seriously thinking about getting someone to do my garden.

I do exercises from the physiotherapist but can be sore the day afterwards.

I work part-time & am coping but bending down & getting up.is a struggle.

anneb82

Hello @Gail139

Welcome to the online community and thank you for joining us.

So you have Osteoarthritis and work part time. You have exercises from the physiotherapist that you do but find that you can be sore for a couple of days afterwards. You have started to struggle with doing some simple chores and find that after doing one job you need to have a sit down and small rest. You have a small place bust sometimes it can take a couple of days to get everything done. Gardening can also be a struggle and you need a rest after 20-30 mins of work outside. You are thinking of getting someone else to do it for you instead. You are coping with work but find bending and getting up can be a struggle.

It really does sound like you have a marvellous attitude to the changes that you have naturally taken in order to continue getting on with your life. I find that you are quite inspiring as I too have to take breaks in between tasks and have at times found it difficult to deal with the changes that my condition brings to me. I do not have Osteoarthritis so it goes to show how much we all have in common across the vast amount of conditions that there are.

I'm sure there will be plenty of other people that will be able to comment on what you are feeling at the moment but I have also included a couple of links below that you may find interesting regarding ways to help you at home and in the garden.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/gardening/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/your-home/

I really do hope that they are of help to you but please do let us know how you are getting on.

Take care

Anne (Moderator)

alexander1

Have you investigated whether you could be entitled to PIP.

This would allow you to perhaps get someone in to help with heavy chores. Etc

Fran54

Hi Gail139

You sound just like me! I have osteoarthritis in my right knee and like you struggle to do some everyday chores.

The best way that I cope is to pace myself with the chores and do perhaps one room a day. If I have a fairly busy active day, sometimes I cut down on my phsyio exercises, as like you I feel sore the next day. Also with gardening, I now time myself and do approx 30 minutes at a time, otherwise I feel the aches and pains the next day. I am also looking at getting a gardener in to help as I have a large garden including several vegetable beds, which I cannot dig anymore.

I find that as my arthritis increases I try and find a way round any problems that arise. Are you taking any painkillers? My Dr. prescribed Naproxen for me and if the pain gets too much they do help.

I have also bought a couple of household items to help me from bending down too much and help getting in to the bath!!

I don't know what other problems may arise over time, but I have realised that I cannot do everything like I used to do. I think acceptance of one's limitations is important to recognise and also be kind to yourself.🙂

Take care.

Gail139

I have only been prescribed ibuprofen & paracetamol. But had an MRI scan so waiting to get results off that.

Fran54

Let's hope you get the results of your scan soon. Remember that you are not alone in all this, so take care.

Gail139

Many thanks.

JayJudge

I have had osteoarthritis for many years, at a rough guess around 28 years, it started small and over the years got worse, all of my joints are affected, the worst being hips, knees, ankles and shoulders, I have been in constant pain for years and when it’s really screaming I take prescription pain relief. It has now disabled me and I can’t walk very far, I take supplements which do help a bit, do my best to keep moving, I could never sit still, my grandmother and mother both had the same problem so I guess there’s some inheritance with this, I was also mad into sports when I was young and I guess that won’t have helped but it was a lot of fun so no regrets

Poppyjane

Hello @JayJudge and welcome to the online community,

It is great to hear from you. You have lived with osteoarthritis for 28 years and overtime all your joints have been affected. You think it is likely to have been passed on from your grandmother and mother. As a sports mad person you think there may be some connection but don't regret it because it was fun. Well what a great attitude to take , that and the fact that you are doing your best to keep moving is a very positive way forward.

Have you had a look at some of the community exercise links, they are fun and as challenging as you want them to be. Numbers of members follow them and enjoy the variety of presenters and forms of exercise. I attach some links which I hope you will find useful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/why-is-exercise-important

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/march/what-are-the-links-between-sport-exercise-and-osteoarthritis/

The last link is for your interest and I hope that you will be able to browse round the discussions and activities to find more. We look forward to hearing from you again soon

Take care

Poppyjane