NEW MEMBER HAPPY TO BE HERE | Arthritis Information

Greetings to everyone from new member, Lizzy. So glad to find you and hoping for advice, tips, tricks, suggestions, info. and hard data about RA / OA and PAIN.

I'm 64 yrs old with severe RA in both hips and knees - bone on bone, with moderate to bad RA in all other joints - (hands, shoulders, DDD in spine, neck, elbows, ankles and feet.) Also, diabetic for 23 yrs and wear an insulin pump, and thankful for few complications other than peripheral neuropathy in feet/lower legs.

Arthritis has slowly worsened over past six years, with rapid progression the past year. I'm always propped up in bed, can only sit for short times, and use two canes to get to bathroom and back. I'll be taking delivery of a new power chair in a week's time. Also have a walker with a seat but cannot use it for more than 10' then need to sit.

I live propped up in bed with good back support, and only position that's not painful is that one. However, I'm just beginning to have trouble with pressure sores, etc., and the discomfort of that. Can't sleep on left side/hip as it's the worst one and far more painful. Sleeping on right side is okay except top left leg won't go in comfortable position due to hip and knee. I sleep only 3-4 hrs. a night and desperatly need more sleep.

Can't have any surgeries OR medications for pain/inflammation - not even ibuprofen. Diabetics are not allowed to take ibuprofen due to possible kidney/liver damage. That leaves just Tylenol, and it simply doesn't make a dent in the continual pain.

I'm unable to have anesthetics so, therefore, unable to have surgery. I take a medication that is contraindicated with anesthesia, or any medications for pain, etc. I've taken this med. for 32 years and must take it each day for the rest of my life, and it cannot be discontinued. Therefore, there is little to no relief from pain, which is quite severe almost 24/7.

I hope to learn of tips and tricks to make sleeping more comfortable so that I can sleep, and lessen the discomfort of possible bed sores, etc. My arthritis seems to be progressing very quickly. I'm almost unable to use my hands, anymore.

I'm a very strong and positive, forward looking person who's surmounted much in life. But, I feel like I've been leveled with a canon, now. I'm having a very difficiult time handling my disease and, of course, all the pain. It's just about to do me in, and I want so much to fight this with all I have, but just feel so overwhelmed.

I'm starting to read the forums for advice, but I'm sure that will take quite some time. So, if any of you have any suggestions or information you wouldn't mind sharing, I'd would be so grateful.

Thanks for listening .... I look forward to getting to know the members and learning, learning, learning.

Lizzy in So. Calif.

Hi Lizzie. Wecome to the board. It's uplifting to hear your positive attitude despite some of the hardships in your life. I wish I could offer tips and tricks and advice to help you, I'm afraid you've been doing this a lot longer than I have. I bet you have a wealth of info for us RA newcomers, though. It'll be nice to get to know you, I'm glad you found us. :)

Welcome to the board, Lizzie!

Hope to get to know you better!

Hi Lizzie, welcome, I can't offer you too many tips, but I have RA, OA and DDD also, and I find the greatest relief for me is an electric blanket, have you tried that? I can be in torment from pain and it reaally helps and relaxes me and the pain definitely subsides. Best of luck and let me know, regards Janie. Lizzie, welcome! I am sorry to hear of your trouble and pain. Gosh, you have been through the mill and back again! As far as sleep, we had a thread a while back on mattresses, I don't know what kind you have but I understand the Tempurpedic are great for bed bound. If you do a search for mattresses, you should find what other's feelings were on this issue.

I hear you on the sleep issue, though my issue of no sleep is no where near yours. I know there are natural remedies, warm milk and such, that may help. I believe it is the triptiphan (sp.?) that helps sleep.

I know there are loads of wonderful people here on the board that will offer suggestions.
I am so sorry for all your pain, it just is not fair.

Welcome to the board!

In the mattress thread, a member mentioned that she used an Aerobed mattress with a foam topper and she liked it. I had been shopping for a mattress thought I would try it as it would be much cheaper than a regular mattress. On 4/6 I purchased a Cozy Top Aerobed and put a foam topper on it. I've been sleeping on it since and I must say it is so nice. It feels like I'm sleeping on a cloud. I was afraid it would lose air, but it hasn't yet. I love it.

I may have missed this in your post, but can you take any narcotic pain relievers?

kweenb2009-04-18 07:56:43

Welcome Lizzie - sorry to hear that RA has taken a worse turn. Even in spite of it, you have a positive attitude. Keep that going ! Are you taking any meds for your RA? Hope you find a way to get more sleep and comfort.

Cathy

Hi Lizzie

though I welcomed you on your first post.. I thought I'd say hello again!

I have a select comfort bed.... bought it 9 years ago.. and it was the best investment I've ever made..... talk about a dream night's sleep!! The aero mattress would be the same premise......

Sorry you're having a rougher time of it...

Hi Lizzy -

Welcome to the board!

Pip

Lizzie, welcome to the forum. I'm very interested in hearing more about the reason why you can't have pain control. Have you seen a pain doctor or been to a pain clinic? They do wonders for people with the worst cases of pain. We're the same age. Take care. LindyWow! I am glad you found us also. It sounds like you could use some friends. It stinks being stuck in bed. Welcome. [QUOTE=LIZpendens] Welcome to the board - I hope you find some answers and useful information here.

Lizzie, welcome to this club that nobody wants to have to be a member of! I only thought to seek it out a month or two ago myself. It's full of wonderful people and a valuable, useful resource of information too. And wait until you see that we are from all over the world... very fun!

I cannot afford to buy a new mattress so can't offer insight there. What I will say is that pillows can help. Well, that and heat... ahhh! I use: hottub, baths, heating blankets, rice bags in microwave, even the old-fashioned hot water bottle (I have a modern version, a big plastic bag that doesn't leak- it's great, but you may need someone to fill it with the hot water). You can find that on massage supply sites ie Massage Warehouse. There are medical supply stores and Dr Leonard's catalog online for other devices to buy.

I cannot take any anti-inflammatories, and also like you, found Tylenol wasn't effective enough. I don't want narcotics yet but you sound like maybe you need one. My dr recently prescribed an in-between level of pain med called Ultram. It hasn't helped everyone here, but it has lessened my pain, for which I am very grateful.

I'm so glad for you that you have a computer, it can open up your world! By the way, if you are stuck at home, consider also joining a forum that is not about medical issues. This week I just joined a quilting forum. I can't actually quilt at this time but am getting good ideas and tips for when I can again. It's very fun seeing people's photos and hearing about their sewing struggles. I did share that I have RA affecting my hands and therefore my quilting. Immediately, I got responses that there are others like me and I was even offered help with my fabric cutting since that's hard for me--yeah! So, think of something more on the fun side of life and there is probably a message board with people interested in that like you! Think about it... if you like to read mysteries or history, watch old movies, painting, photography, animals like dogs or elephants, antiques, pictures of sunsets or snow, architecture, ... anything! Just a suggestion.

I'm sure you will not only receive much support and friendly advice here, but you will also be able to provide it to us too. Thank you in advance.

CathyMarie