Allotments 4 All
General => The Shed => Topic started by: cambourne7 on December 25, 2014, 07:22:16
-
Hi All,
Apologies for not being on here for a while but lots going on and no time to do pretty much anything!
Anyway i have been having some health problems which started 18 months ago and in the last 3 months got a lot worse to the point i cant walk some days. I was referred to a specialist and i have osteoarthritis in my toes, ankles, knees and hips. Might also have it in back, neck and shoulders am awaiting MRI scan to confirm if its that or a slipped disk. On top of that i have reaccuring sciatica in one left and Fibromyalgia in both legs.
determined to keep going having to work from home some days as i cant manage the 5 hour commute and am looking at bring forward the plans for the raised beds in the garden.
Anyone else out there with Osteoarthritis who has any tips please?
thanks
cam x
-
Sorry to hear things are not going well for you.
Apart from a cyberhug I have not got much to offer.
Try and keep positive, though I know this is difficult.
Thinking of you.
Have you tried plenty of fruit particularly apples and raisins and nuts and coffee?
-
My sympathies. Thrive's Carry On Gardening website - http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/ - may be of help.
Take care. xx
-
Hiya, Cam. Sorry to heat you are having health problems. I'e been dealing with this since I was 38 (62 now)
As I've gone worse, Ray has made my raised beds taller. They are about 2' tall now so I can put a board between and sit to garden. Then I can use short handled tools (thick, soft handles) . I sow everything apart from carrots, radish etc in pots, use a bulb planter to take out a hole and put the plant into it. I'm determined not to stop as it's the only hobby I can get involved in. If I didn't have Ray helping me, I couldn't keep the plot on. Keep on with any physio offered, hydro helps, there are lots of aids to help. You can always p.m. me :happy7:
-
Cam, I am sorry to hear about your osteoarthritis; it sounds as though you have it very bad too. You will get very tired with the constant pain so just take things easy especially when doing physical work in the garden. You will need to rest frequently so have a garden chair nearby. Raised beds will be very helpful.
A five hour commute sounds a nightmare so if you can work from home it will be much better for you.
I have had osteoarthritis for over 30 years now. I haven't any raised beds as my plots are on a slope and they could be difficult to build. My life changed for the better when I bought my mobility scooter two and a half years ago so it may be worth considering if you are having difficulty walking. If you do decide to get one, pm me and I will impart some of the knowledge I accumulated over the 5 months before buying one. I really researched them and looked at umpteen models.
There are injections that can help with back pain but they didn't help me. However, the one I had for sciatica worked and I have no pain now and that was about 5 years ago.
I hope your MRI scan result shows nothing too serious. Thinking of you.
-
I am sorry to hear about your health problems and while I have no experience to pass on I do hope that you get some help to manage it. Xx
-
I have an arthritic spine which can get sitff and painful and I also have several dodgy discs in my lower and upper back which lead to pain and pinched nerves for which I've had successful cortisone infiltrations and, more recently, surgery to support 3 cervical vertebrae with a cage. My hands, shoulders and knees are a bit arthritic too but not yet disabling though movement and strength can be limited on bad days. OH can be a bit gouty, usually after over indulging.
Some years ago I read Curing Arthritis - the Drug Free Way by Margaret Hills from the Sheldon Press. There's a diet book too. They helped me a great deal. I use dits info to make a detox diet for a few weeks and now we eat almost no processed foods apart from occasional bacon, black pudding and baked beans. Everything else is cooked from fresh and my arthritis is under control and not getting any worse. Touch wood.
OH does any heavy lifting and we have low raised beds for veggies for ease of access and cultivation and I'm a lot less obsessive about weeds than I used to be.
I hope you find a way to manage your arthritis. Take advantage of the good days and don't push yourself on bad days.
-
Sorry to hear about your problems Cam. Don't know if this is any help but I did hear, years and years ago, that a teaspoon of CASTOR OIL first thing in morning and last thing at night helped. Don't know anyone who has tried it so can't vouch for it. All the best though with any management plan. Love May
-
Although I don't suffer from arthritis, I get periodic attacks of sciatica. At one point I had several sessions of physio, which really did not help, but one of the physios suggested trying acupuncture.
The first session did nothing to help, but I went again a week later. The following morning I was pain free - I thought I was dreaming. Now if it flares up, that is my first try.
-
thanks all , really appreciate your kind words and tips xxx
I am working with my boss and occupational health at moment to limit my travel so i am hoping to only be going into the office 1 days a week. And am preparing my office at home to allow me to work almost full time from there. So getting there.
Had a fitting with a specialist "surgical readiness fitter" for some proper insoles to help with the pain in the feet and am back to see the consultant in April so suggests MRI scan was not that bad as he said it would get in to see him in January if the found something. So thats good.
I have arranged for a friend of mine with a rotavator to dig my 3 beds over for me in March so i dont have to do it this year. Having always had back problems i am already working with beds and once i get the greenhouse in will get the raised beds in this should be my summer project :)
-
Hi Louise. How are you coping? I hope you get things sorted soon. I have ME & fibromyalgia but thanks to a wonderful acupuncturist I live a near normal pain free life without medication. The only thing I do take is amitriptyline to give me a better sleep, I started taking it after a solid 4 months without sleep.
Take care & good luck. X
-
HI GrannyJanny,
Well i did have that but did not touch the pain, they prescribed me something else which made the inside of my mouth swell so came off that and now have something new to try but need to get over this cold first.
Work have let me work from home 2 days a week which has normalised the symptoms quite a bit only having a bad day after i get back from london and then it tends to right itself. So this is helping. I have some tramadol for the pain but so far have not needed it as i know from experience this will make working impossible. (had it for minor surgery last year).
Just about cleared the office and set it up to work from during the week, making some adjustments like nicking hubbies spare coffee machine so if i need a drink i don't have to try and walk to kitchen :)
Garden needs work and at the moment at the back of my mind is a growing list of jobs but there all quite low on my list.
Right now i am waiting for dinner to cook and packing for work need to be up at 5am for 6.15 train to get into work for 8:30 :) dinner is out of the freezer tomorrow night so dead easy as will not be home till 7:15-7:45pm depending on trains and then in bed by 9 with cocodamol and a hot water bottle :)
Thanks for caring x
Cam
-
Hi Cam,
I too have recently been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis.
I went to docs after having constant joint pains mainly in shoulder & foot, which disturbed my sleep.
I expected to get properly diagnosed but was only offered a referral for physio !
He told me it was an age thing & that drugs such as glucosamine sulphate had not been scientifically proven to work !!
My hand has locked up a couple of times, & it has quickly begun to effect other joints - is this due to cold weather?
I am seriously considering changing doctors
Debs
-
That's appalling of your GP. Yes, it's a 'wear and tear' condition, but that doesn't mean nothing can be done. I've had steroid jabs in several joints, surgery on my jaw to clean out the grotty bits, and I've been offered a procedure on my wrist which is apparently very successful - not going to take that up atm cos I don't want to be entirely out of action for even a short time.
And then there is a huge range of painkillers to try, I find a couple of ibuprofen give me a few hours when I can manage housework-ey stuff but your GP should be able to advise on a regime for you. I'd get a second opinion if I were you, and I hope things look up.
We'll all be better for a bit of warmth, as well!
-
Agree Debs, thats not good!!!
Ok, origianaly i was fobbed off 18 months ago being told it was flat feet but i think you need to go back and explain and ask them for a referral to a rumatologist they can give you a proper diagnosis and refer you for physio!
Bigs hugs ! :wave:
-
Hi Cam,
I too have recently been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis.
I went to docs after having constant joint pains mainly in shoulder & foot, which disturbed my sleep.
I expected to get properly diagnosed but was only offered a referral for physio !
He told me it was an age thing & that drugs such as glucosamine sulphate had not been scientifically proven to work !!
My hand has locked up a couple of times, & it has quickly begun to effect other joints - is this due to cold weather?
I am seriously considering changing doctors
Read up on" Cortaflex" and you may then choose to try the Vet!
-
glucosamine sulphate v placebo is not proven and doc has told me not to take it as it can increase diabetic factors as i have a few already its safer not to take it.
-
Hi All,
I am holding off doing any gardening at the moment mostly due to weather and fatigue but also i had a MRI scan in December and it was redone in March looking like i may have other conditions as well as Osteoarthritis as they have found lesions on my spine and brain. I am seeing the Neurologist on 20th April might know then but i am pretty freaked out at the moment as the second scan was to rule out MS but now they cant.
Anyway loving reading your posts about what your all up to :)
Cam
-
hi i have osteo all over my body the most painful is my cervical spine i have rota cuff opps on shoulders spine has shut down on my nerves at c4 c5 so i have no feeling in my hands i find a l ittle and often on my plot works betterthan most painkillers however i really suffer thru the winter months so its 1 tramerdol 1 naproxin and alittle walk do a bit then have a rest cup of coffee and then another little bit i really would seize up if i never had my plot as the saying goes i feel your pain :sunny:
-
Cam, your inbox is full.....!
-
try now
-
thanks for your messages guys, am trying to stay positive.
D-Day is 20th April and i am not sure i am going to actually find out whats up then but will see.
In mean time i am taking myself away to Denmark for a few days and catching up with other things around the house.
I have been doing some gardening and am realising how weak i am managed to cut back one bush and that tired me out and had to have a 2 hour nap.
Wanted to move a rose but gave up, so tomorrow need to get the husband out into the garden to finish my jobs :)
-
..well, i dont have fibromyalgia however the MRI scans have proven to show i have MS and that this is likely to be the 2nd attack over the last 6-8 years. Now waiting to see if i have Osteoarthritis or if these symptoms can also be put down to MS.
-
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Cam.
It looks like you will have to take it easy with your gardening from now on. :sad10:
-
..well, i dont have fibromyalgia however the MRI scans have proven to show i have MS and that this is likely to be the 2nd attack over the last 6-8 years. Now waiting to see if i have Osteoarthritis or if these symptoms can also be put down to MS.
Not so good Cam. Sorry you are struggling with MS. At least there is a possibility of recovery and/or periods of being much better with MS, rather than the arthritis which is pretty permanent. Please pace yourself and hope the garden will still produce well. Chin up! A hug for you, hope to see you in Brum. :angel11:
-
This is not good news but sometimes it is a relief to finally get a diagnosis and know what you are coming to terms with. Means you can join a support group.
Nice to hear you are managing to stay positive though I expect that is not easy at times.
-
Thanks all, husband is helping me get the raised beds in over the next few weeks (4 scaffolding boards high so i dont have to bend to far) and i am putting in a concrete base for greenhouse.
Harriets trampoline has died a death over the winter and we spent last weekend taking it down and to the tip.
We have decided to get harriet some new garden play equipment and this will have a temp home on the greenhouse base for now :)
Work are not really helping the situation and i am quite stressed suspect i am being "managed out" of the business and to be honest i dont want to be in that environment any more.
Had a bad attack of something friday and slept from 10pm thursday to after midday friday, i did try and get up around 5am for work but felt almost like i was having a migrane but was not affected by light. Still feel pretty tired and washed out.
-
suspect i am being "managed out" of the business
Here are some things to think about before you feel you cannot cope with your job.
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/09/03/employer-force-quit-rights/
I think this might be a US site but most of it applies.
You have enough problems, so do not need someone creating extra ones.
Discuss your disability with them and find out what they can do to help.
Find ways of distressing. Lavender is good, a few drops of oil on a basin of warm water is great.
-
Sorry to take so long to respond Cam. I was waiting and hoping that your symptoms were down to what sounded like and extremely hectic and stressful work life combined with traveling long distances.
I hope that the positive "appearance" that you are making on here is helping you to get through what must be a very difficult time. Glad that you have a good husband and Harriet to give you love and support. xx Anne
-
Hi Cam,
Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis - hope you find a good support network to advise & help you .
Debs :icon_flower:
-
Hi ALL,
Quick Update - I quit my job friday and last working day will be next friday.
Feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I am going to take a few months off and find something closer to home so i don't have to do so much traveling.
Hugs
Cam
-
Hope that this helps you, must be a relief to not have to do the travelling, it sounded dreadful even for someone in good health.
Good luck with finding something suitable.
x
-
Good for you Cam, I'm sure it will make a big difference and enable you to take more control.
-
Good. you will enjoy the extra time for yourself and your family. Less stress too so that will, make you feel better. Doubt if I could have coped with your horrendous schedule. Good luck in finding something more local. Xx May
-
Cam, hi, sorry to hear you have these troubles. My best advice is this... try and do everything and anything you want, be determined but stop the very minute you have more than medium pain. I have FM and some oesteo too among a few more niceties and I know for sure that what ever pain you are having in your joints you will get added pain in your muscles and ligaments very easily with use and for me it is that that is the worse thing..stopping at the first chance and resting even 10 minutes can sometimes chuck off the extra pain and you can get going again, then after it comes back stop again. Don't say to yourself I will stop when I have finished...whatever..it just gets worse..stop when it hurts, rest and start again.. This really works if you follow the rule. It is not always easy.
another tip, if you are prepping food, eg peeling, chopping, mixing pastry, stuff like that do it sitting down, standing over a counter or sink aggravates those areas. Save standing up for things that you have no option on. Also doing things with two arms outstretched causes problems more than keeping your arms closer to your body so avoid folding sheets or vacuuming. I find I can reach out one arm a long way, either oen actually but if I try to reach out them both together bang goes my back in minutes.
Get a glider chair, Dutailier is the best, they are so finely balanced that even breathing which slightly moves the rib cage makes mine rock all by itself and the rocking/gliding motion is much better than sitting on a static chair.
Just little tips but I have lived with a very high pain level for a long time now and have learned a thing or two. Get a scooter as was advised for going shopping, the supermarket is a long job and ask them to pack the groceries in your car. Don't pump your own gas, the weight of the pump and the time standing is enough to swing mw into the doom zone .
Good Luck and take care of you !!
XX Jeannine