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General => The Shed => Topic started by: Charlotte Sometimes on May 17, 2005, 20:38:47
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Aye up
Just wondering if anyone else on here has health problems which affect their gardening? I am only 32 but I've got spondylosis (osteo arthritis). In effect I have to be careful how much I do at any given time, and lifting bags of compost etc is out of the question. I am constantly nagging my OH to move containers around that are too heavy for me. ;)
I find if I am patient, I can do things like move a bag of compost by the bucket. Or standing on a chair helps when I'm clipping the hedge. I've got all sorts of hints and tips and ideas for projects that people with even worse mobility than me can do. Was thinking of writing a web page on the subject.
So, if you've any contributions to make on the subejct, now's the time!
Charlie
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Can i ask- what do you take for the arthritis? I have had joint troubles (not arthritis though) and sorted them with glucosamine. Ive also heard that devils claw is good for arthritis, and that citrus fruits arent- im forever nagging my mum to eat less of them to avoid joint problems when shes older.
John
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I tried this honey and cinnamon idea which was posted somewhere, but it did not make my arthritis any easier.
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As far as I know, touch wood, spit and whistle, I do not have any daignosed medical probs that hinder my gardening....however, I do suffer with a very tender and weak left wrist. It aches terribly some days and I cannot put any pressure on it which makes lifting and digging painful, but I grin and bear it. The other horrible thing that I seem to suffer from, is sore hands. My own fault, I really should wear the lovely gloves Ava got me more often, but I can't use them for pricking out seedlings etc. My hands become dry and cracked and I am unable to straighten my fingers, which also ache and the joints become swollen. Wow, don't I just sound gorgeous! Had a long hot bath tonite to try and ease my wrist and soften my hands and have been rubbing in cream ever since. No allotment until next week now due to commitments, but am planning to get out in the garden tomorrow....will have to take it easy.
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Sorry to hear that Charlie, my Wife suffers from spondylosis (osteo arthritis). she would love to join me on the lottie but I can't see that ever happening now.
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Yup, I have osteoarthritis in my right foot. I also have Marfan's Syndrome (hereditary - why couldn't they have just left me the money instead!)
Re Glucosamine Sulphate: I know several people with problem joints who have taken it and swear by it - I've seen the difference it makes to them and it seems to be quite something.
Wouldn't you know it, when I tried it I came out in a rash!
::)
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Much sympathy, Charlotte - I have only 2 ideas:
1. DON'T stand on chairs - get a safe pair of steps with handrail.
2. Don't even carry buckets - get a lightweight trolley.
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During the week prior to my recent hip replacement I was in Norfolk taking part in a training seminar. As I walked and talked using a walking stick a delegate came up to me.
He informed me that he was over sixty (he didn't look it) and had suffered with arthritis...he was now a fitness instructor.
His secret was Glucosamine he told me to take 1500 mg a day. He also said that it took three months before you saw the 'real' benefite.
He really was walking talking advert for the stuff and when I finish the course of tablets I am currently taking I reckon I will join him
Derek
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When my dog injured his shoulder (jumping off a wall after a dove) the vet wanted to immobilise it as it was getting no better and the dog would keep trying to chase things. I wouldn't agree to his suggestion and turned to a book a miner gave me when we worked at't pit. It's a kind of herbal encyclopaidia for animals, eg cattle and the like. Anyroad I found out about devil's claw and got some off the internet and within 8 weeks my dog was running about like a pup
I take it myself now as I hurt my back. I will certainly try glucosamine. My OH had that when he hurt his back and pelvis playing footy. He ended up having microsurgery but he said it deffo helped with the inflammation
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Can i ask- what do you take for the arthritis? I have had joint troubles (not arthritis though) and sorted them with glucosamine. Ive also heard that devils claw is good for arthritis, and that citrus fruits arent- im forever nagging my mum to eat less of them to avoid joint problems when shes older.
John
Oh dear! I can see I really need to have a serious go at managing this herbally. As you can imagine, I have more than the one health problem (my immune system is out to get me!). I have managed my psoriasis herbally for a few years now, and its better than ever. ;D
I tried glucosamine for about a month, but no change. I will have another go sometime. These things are expensive though. I take fish oil tho and B vits (like most arthritics I also have an anaemia! ::)).
Anyhow, John, I take dihydrocodeine as my painkiller during a flare-up/migraine, and 25 mg amitriptyline daily to help with sleep / nerve pain. I also had a steroid shot in my neck on May 5th, but I am not yet clear of the side effects (more pain). At the current time it just seems to have made things worse.. :P
Citrus fruit - I too have read to avoid, but fresh orange juice is also full of folates. I try to drink a glass a day. I do eat well too - gluten-free which keeps my skin in good nick. Plenty of fruit and veg - steamed. Nuts are also excellent - contain a lot of trace elements and good fats. A handful a day is enough.
I'd like to throw all the meds in the bin, and I certainly won't bother with another shot. >:( Trouble is I get migraines which are (I think) related to the neck. These can last 5 days. If I didn't take my meds during this, I probably lose my remaining shreds of sanity. LOL Ibuprofen gel with levomenthol is also good.
Sorry for the essay! If you think this post is long, you ought to see my medical records!!! ;)
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I tried this honey and cinnamon idea which was posted somewhere, but it did not make my arthritis any easier.
I have a book on making herbal decoctions. Last year I made some tea with yarrow (plenty in the lawn, LOL) and callendula. The yarrow can make people itch - it did me!
Callendula is meant to be very good for inflammation. I will have another go with this book at some point and will report back if I find anything home-made which helps. :)
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Emma Jane - I know what you mean about your reluctance to don gloves. Touching plants is part of the pleasure of gardening. Yes, my hands suffer too, specially after the turnip incident. LOL. Really should wear them gloves more often. :(
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Sorry to hear that Charlie, my Wife suffers from spondylosis (osteo arthritis). she would love to join me on the lottie but I can't see that ever happening now.
Snap! Send my regards to your missus. Does she get the blinding headaches too? Great fun, they are. :P
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Yup, I have osteoarthritis in my right foot. I also have Marfan's Syndrome (hereditary - why couldn't they have just left me the money instead!)
Sorry to hear you had a reaction to the glucosamine. Herbal stuff does have side-effects too, its easy to forget that, sometimes.
Yeah, my family on my Dad's side has all the AI (auto-immune) problems - psoriasis and arthritis. My grans sisters both had what the doctors in those days used to call "Bamboo Spine". I'm the same. Luckily the bolshy and determined attitude I've got also appears to be hereditary. ;)
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Much sympathy, Charlotte - I have only 2 ideas:
1. DON'T stand on chairs - get a safe pair of steps with handrail.
2. Don't even carry buckets - get a lightweight trolley.
Good ideas, both Tim. Regrettably I think I have spent all this year's budget on Link-a-Bord. If I keep on buying a bit every year, the raised beds will eventually be waist-height. 8)
I certainly would love to get a trolley or a wheelbarrow. Can't believe we don't have the latter already, but such is life. We got a lawn-mower instead. ::)
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During the week prior to my recent hip replacement
Hip replacements are all the rage, aren't they? ;) I read on a health forum that Mickey Mars (drummer for Motley Crue) had to have one recently. Amazing, the guy is still drumming and going on tour. He has Ankylosing Spondylitis. Seriously, though, hope the hip replacement went well and has given you a new lease of life. I know folks can wait a long time for them.
I hope the glucosamine helps too. I am convinced I should give it another try, now. :)
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I have managed my psoriasis herbally for a few years now, and its better than ever. ;D
Charlie, what do you use for your psoriasis? I've suffered with this (and the arthritis that goes with it) for 17 years now. I've found homeopathy very good for my arthritis, but never managed to get on top of the psoriasis
D
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Afternoon All,
I too am an arthritic gardener especially in hands and feet. I have found, by trial and error that it helps me to wear a support on both wrists as I garden, helps to give supporta nd stops over stretching of the wrist joints. I bought them from Boots, just the ordinairy sports supports. They are not glamorous but sturdy.
I too take glucosamine by the bucket full as well as fish oil and magnesium and calcium tabs. they are bone strengtheners. It is best to get rid of all those nasty chemicals that doctors like to fill us with, they do more harm than good. If i have a flare up I take Rhus Tox for three days, gets rid of it all together..
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Charlotte as a migraine sufferer I can truely empathise, especially as mine are also neck related! I have gone the route of a cranial osteopath and I swear she is a marvel!! No clicking or whirring, just hands on gentle moving of fluids in the body, not cheap, but worth it in my opinion! ( I now go once a month to top me up, helps my rotten shoulder too!)
My Mum and Aunt, both arthritics, swear by organic cider vinegar and honey to keep them going, the Aunt also has raisins soaked in gin..........hmmm not so sure about that one! ;)
Have heard to avoid tomatoes as well as citrus.
Re: Glucosamine, for those of you non fish eaters out there, there is a non fish version available!
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DP - I've been to a cranial oseopath + can highly recommend it. Never felt so good.
Can recommend one in the Tonbridge area if anyone's looking
D
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Hi Charlotte
Hip doing fine...had my clips out today and walked down to the shops ...about a mile... no adverse reaction .. Whoopee...won't be long before I am let out and hopefully get my vehicle keys back ;D
My Governor suffers with arthritis in her hands and has found that oranges and tomatoes make it far worse.. if she keeps away from them the hands are almost normal
Derek
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As an Osteoarthritis sufferer may i suggest for the pain you ask your Dr for a tablet called (ARTHROTEC )it is amazing, i need a double knee replacement and cannot have it because of my heart, but this tablet really works wonders.
Do check you are allowed to have it though. ;D
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It hasn't been diagnosed, but I'm pretty certian I have arthritis in my left knee. It gets very stiff and painful when the weather is damp or humid. The only way I find it hinders my gardening is I have to be careful how I sit (not cross legged for too long) and sometimes have difficulty crouching. I don't take anything for it. Tried cidar vinegar tablets, which did seem to help, but I keep forgetting to take them!
I also have problems with my right elbow and my left shoulder, stiff and sometimes achey, but that's due to both of them being broken in the past.
My mum and gran both suffer from arthritis and garden. Unfortunately gran's is now stopping her from doing much gardening (at the grand old age of 90!) She also has carpol tunnel syndrone.
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I have managed my psoriasis herbally for a few years now, and its better than ever. ;D
Charlie, what do you use for your psoriasis? I've suffered with this (and the arthritis that goes with it) for 17 years now. I've found homeopathy very good for my arthritis, but never managed to get on top of the psoriasis
D
Most of it is dietary - I don't eat anything containing Gluten anymore. That's wheat bread, oats, barley and I think rye too. Potatoes and rice are naturally gluten-free, so those are my main sources of carbohydrates. I have thought the improvement may just be that I eat less processed food, but the improvement has been radical. If I'm naughty and eat e.g. a pasty or sandwich I actually itch now. :o Alcohol is also very bad for psoriasis, you will notice after sufficient quantities it gets redder and hot to touch. :(
I found a very good herbalist who makes great creams. I hate to advertise, but here's his web site. http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.positive_herbs/ The cream I have used is Code 18, for psoriasis. It contains a bit of callendula amongst other things and smells delicious. Its doesn't cure the psoriasis, but is very moisturising and stops the itching right away.
I've yet to find anything that works brilliantly for scalp psoriasis (I use Olive Oil or Epaderm). Hope this helps! :)
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Charlotte as a migraine sufferer I can truely empathise, especially as mine are also neck related! I have gone the route of a cranial osteopath and I swear she is a marvel!!
Sorry to hear you get migraines, too. Wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. I did have some oesteopathy a while back - a lady called Kathryn who also did cranial. She was very good actually. But in those days I wasn't diagnosed with anything, nobody knew why I had a bad back, so I'm guessing she could be even more effective this time. However, they are about £26 a go, and until I can find a job (part-time most likely) I just can't afford it. At my old surgery they could prescribe oesteopathy, but my new place only has an acupuncturist. I agree, I would like to take fewer medicines, but the migraines.... they are really "shoot-yerself-in-the-head" type pain and I do wonder if I could manage without. Would probably pitch up at A&E. :o You never know - maybe with a bit of osteopathy I might get fewer migraines. ::)
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Derek
Glad to hear its working out well for you. Long may it continue!
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Rosebud
Arthrotec contains NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammtories). The ibuprofen family of drugs really upset my stomach, and yes, they're beginning to be the focus of a lot of bad research findings - e.g. risk for heart disease, as you already know. They also commonly cause ulceration along the GI tract when used long term. They get a bad rap on the arthritis forums for causing GI bleeds, as well. IMO they're better of avoided for long term use. Although codeine and so on wreck your kidneys, so err, take your pick, they all have their downsides. ::)
Hope you're doing well, btw! This showery weather wreaks havoc on us, doesn't it?
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It hasn't been diagnosed, but I'm pretty certian I have arthritis in my left knee. It gets very stiff and painful when the weather is damp or humid.
Sounds about right. ::) Not to worry though - you're still active and up and about. :) It was necessary for me to go the medical route because it has also badly affected my work. I can't sit at a desk for 7-8 hours these days, but going back into teaching is a possible, now I'm actually diagnosed and on some meds. If its only mild you're better off without all the meds, my opinion only (only you know how painful it is). If meds can be avoided thats the best plan.
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Agree about meds Charlotte.
I don't like putting manmade chemicals into my body and avoid medicine unless necessary. That's why I haven't gone to the doctor about it - they'll probably just put me on some medication and I won't want to take it!
It's not that painful. (I've had much worse!)
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anyone tried apitherapy (bee stings) for arthritis? i don't have it and can't speak from experience, but other people swear by it. Regular stings certainly seem to jolt your immune system into action.
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Glucosimine & cod liver oil every day.
I'm 34 & have problems in both wrists due to a serious accident aged 12. I too found that it took approx 3 months to see any benefits from the glucosimine but the doctor wouldn't give my anything as he said I was too young.
I've developed one or two little tricks which help my wrists but I also have two wrist supports with built in magnets which I wear when doing any gardening. I've found that keeping my wrists warm helps them a lot so I wear gloves longer than most people, they may laugh at me but I don't care 'cos the pain is much worse.
CC
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Aqui when you say you don't put man made chemicals into your body ,i wish i had that choice, i HAVE to take 16 tablets a day for my heart, and i know they have made my Arthritis worse but they keep me upright most of the time.
I don't take Arthrotec myself now, i was given them by mistake,and they made me feel quite ill but i was pain free for 3 days BLISS. Rosebud. ;D
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Glucosimine & cod liver oil every day.
I'm 34 & have problems in both wrists due to a serious accident aged 12. I too found that it took approx 3 months to see any benefits from the glucosimine but the doctor wouldn't give my anything as he said I was too young.
I've developed one or two little tricks which help my wrists but I also have two wrist supports with built in magnets which I wear when doing any gardening. I've found that keeping my wrists warm helps them a lot so I wear gloves longer than most people, they may laugh at me but I don't care 'cos the pain is much worse.
CC
Too young! I'm 32! Oh well, I've already said what I think about medicines. Don't worry about looking silly with your long gloves! If you want silly (and embarrassing) I've got an old ladies "shopper" on wheels, which I have to take into Lewisham if I want to do grocery shopping. My days of a pushbike and big rucksack are long gone! Beause I'm so young, all the store detectives think I'm on the nick. ;D
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Rosebud - I understand your dilemma. We'd all prefer not to be taking the meds, but I, like you, can't manage without some days. I also get a bad rap from the docs for not taking my painkillers on a daily, routine basis. I prefer to take them only when really needed - when its raining, and the migraines start to threaten.
I expect you have found that you need to look medicines up, as the doctors don't fully explain what the pros and cons are. The big book that doctors look up all their meds in is called BNF (British National Formulary). BNF is also on the internet (albeit you have to register, but you don't have to be a doctor to do that). I'm very pro-active in reading about drugs because I have had nasty side effects to things in the past and not been informed in advance that such-and-such is a common problem. So, I have developed a little paranoia about looking things up. If you have also reached that stage, here is the web address for BNF - http://www.bnf.org/bnf/. :)
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Hi
Has anybody tried the Bowen technique. My daughter studied it for a while as it works on horses. She needed somebody to practice on (me) I (of course) did not really believe it :P but was very surprised when my pain disappeared after a few days.
Go on the internet and read about it. You have nothing to lose but pain.
Rosemary
P.S. I have further treatment about every 6 months just to keep on top form. R
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Derek - yellow toms are supposed to be OK?
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anyone tried apitherapy (bee stings) for arthritis? i don't have it and can't speak from experience, but other people swear by it. Regular stings certainly seem to jolt your immune system into action.
I thought bees died when they stung you? Is that a myth? Perhaps they should use wasps instead. ;D
Never tried it, anyhow.
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They often do. The sting is barbed, and sticks in mammalian skin, with the result that even if you bruch the bee straight off, in theory at least, you get the full dose of poison since the sting apparatus breaks away and is left behind with a large chunk of the bee's abdomen. In practice, I'd say the sting is left behind in about 50% of the stings I get, so the other 50% of stinging bees will live to tell the tale. I don't know how long the de-stinged bee takes to die, but I have seen one foraging on Himalayan balsam, apparently quite happily.
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Tim
Thanks for that ...maybe I have time to get a few seeds planted for this year...'The Governor' will be pleased
Cheers
Derek
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Hi Charlie
I too suffer, trouble is I get angry because I can't do things I used too.
I take glucosamine, it took nearly 3 months to work, seems to be giving relief, can't stop in case it is working. The pleasure I get from veg growing outways the pain, to grow, harvest & eat your own veg is worth it.
Just joined think the site is great - lots of help.
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Just wondering if anyone else on here has health problems which affect their gardening?
Hi Charlie,
I have health problems which effect my gardening too - not arthritis in my case, but ME, which effects the signals the brain sends to the rest of the body & means that anything can malfunction - immune system, digestion, circulation, hormones, etc etc. In practice this means fluctuating & apparently random symptoms which include muscle & joint pains, splitting headaches, & senses not working properly. I wake up some days feeling like a zombie with a hangover ???, others feeling like I have 'flu, & others feeling perfectly OK (sorry if you already knew all that - knowledge of ME is a bit limited so I feel if I mention it I have to explain that no, it's not just being tired!!).
Like you, I can't lift heavy bags of compost or anything like that - I scoop it into a flowerpot & move that instead. Designed my garden to be fairly low maintenance as Romeo hates gardening - though he does mow the lawn for me :). I find I can do more if I do it in short bursts, & go inside for a drink & a sit down every now & again. I can do about an hour in one go if I rest for the rest of the day, but on a good day I could probably do 40 minutes in the morning & then another 40 in the afternoon.
Many of the things which are best for ME seem to be much the same as the things which help arthritis - eating a healthy diet with as much organic food as possible; herbal remedies (I take Passiflora when I can't sleep); and fish oil (recently read a book recommending the supplement VegEpa as being better than standard cod liver oil-type things - for arthritis as well as for ME - but haven't tried it yet myself). I also take anadin every morning as I can't function without :( - would love to cut these out but wouldn't have any quality of life if I did.
Anyway, sorry to waffle on so long. What I really meant to say is: if you are setting up a web page about gardening with disabilities you might like to look at the Carryongardening site (if you don't know it already) - it's run by Thrive (disabled gardeners' association) & has lots of good ideas: you'll find it at http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/. There is a forum which is good for finding out how other people cope, eg with gardening from a wheelchair, as well as just chatting about gardening, & there are some useful links, etc. Good luck with your web page - there seem to be a lot of us gardeners out here with health problems so I'm sure it would be useful!
Juliet
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Re Glucosamine Sulphate: I know several people with problem joints who have taken it and swear by it - I've seen the difference it makes to them and it seems to be quite something.
Wouldn't you know it, when I tried it I came out in a rash!
Amazin- i think its unsuitable for those with shellfish allergies- might be worth checking that out.
Also got very well managed crohns disease- as long as i dont have any cows milk or pork it doesnt bother me. Im quite sure the key to a cure or at least control is dietary.
John
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Not got arthiritis but have had problems with my back for years since I hurt it when I was a nurse. changed jobs now but it still flares up from time to time usually when its most inconvenient - like NOW when there's loads to do on the lottie!! Still i'm ok most of the time and Paul is very good at taking over things I can't manage.
i think when you've any sort of problem its best to try and work round it - we're trying to do as much as possible without digging too much. More experienced plotties are giving us funny looks at the expanse of black stuff where they have neatly dug rows but we'll see how it goes.
From what I've read on here there are quite a few of us doing similar things so we'll have to compare notes :)