Linnie wrote: My shoulders/neck, wrists are giving me terrible problems, so
much so that I have been unable to drive for 6 weeks now - cannot operate
brake etc.
Ardeith writes: I’ve almost quit trying to drive … I don’t trust my
hands to control the truck in an emergency situation anymore. And when I
figure in the cost of insurance, gas, and upkeep…it’s really cheaper to
call a cab once a week or so to take me to the store, or the doctor’s
office, or to get my hair cut. That’s just about all the places I go these
days…except the library, and my Fred takes me there … so he can carry
all the books I check out…
Linnie wrote: Also sleeping is very bad - no matter what I do I cannot
manage more than 2 hours per night in my bed - have to get up and walk
around the pain is intolerable.
Ardeith writes: You didn’t mention being on any pain meds…your doctor
can prescribe something to relieve the pain and let you sleep. Ask for
it…no, demand it. Lack of sleep just adds to the stress and makes
everything hurt even more. My doctor took me off Demerol and put me on
Hydroco/APAP 5-325M tablets. The scrip says I can take 1 or 2 tablets,
every four hours as needed…but I’ve never needed more than 2 tablets at
bedtime to let me sleep. If I know I’m going to have to be on my feet for
more than …oh, say 15 minutes, I take one about an hour
before…
Linnie wrote: I cannot turn over in bed, and can hardly get in/out of bed -
in such a bad state.
Ardeith writes: Is your bed wide enough that you can roll over without
having to lift yourself and turn over in place? If not, maybe you could
get a wider bed. Trying to lift yourself to turn over in the same place is
hard on your arms, hands, and shoulders…as you know. Also, is your
difficulty getting out of the bed caused by the bed being very low?
Standing from a low chair, or bed, can be hard…can you put your bed on
risers? Bring it up high enough that it’s more like standing up from a
kitchen chair? I sleep on a twin sized bed…which is not really wide
enough to roll over on…but I drink a glass of water before going to bed,
which guarantees I’ll have to get up – sooner or later – and go to the
bathroom. When I get back in the bed, I lie on the other side…which
is all OK with me as staying in one position too long makes me stiffen and
ache anyway…
Linnie wrote: Has anyone any ideas please how I can help my pain. By the
way - I also have RA in knees, feet, fingers and hips, not having a good
time at all - feel like my life is coming to an end and only 59 years old
Ardeith writes: I’m 64, and I’ve had RA since I was 30. Your life isn’t
over, but it IS changed. Don’t let your mind get as stiff as your
joints…learn something new, maybe astronomy? Or geology? Or herbalism?
Learn a new craft…maybe painting? You can wrap the handles of paint
brushes with masking tape to make them fat enough you can hold them without
cramping your hands. Who cares how it looks if you can use them? I use
that trick on drawing pencils, and crochet hooks too…just have to
remember to mark them with what size they are.
Another thing you might not be aware of…changing barometric pressure
makes me ache…it might hurt you too. Every time a storm front moves
through, I feel it. Last night was uncomfortable…I gave up on sleeping,
and escaped to “Pern.” I know that won’t work for people who have to get up
and go to a job…but it helps me…
Ardy
