hi all. me again. i have a new problem this time.
i don't know how to cope with this. usually i'm ok, but i freak out so easily when i'm hurting bad & can't move. i don't think i've accepted any of this yet & i don't know how.
when i get real sore & stiff, my inital reaction is to just sit or lay there, let all the terrible thoughts creep in & cry. i know better that i need to get up & move & letting the bad thoughts come in doesn't help.
anyone have any suggestions to what they do to get out of the funk? how did you guys accept the disease?
I AM ON ANTIDEPRESSENT HAVE BEEN SICK SINCE MAY NOT ABLE TO WORK I HAVE A SIX YR OLD I HAVE RA AND FIBRO AND SJORGEN AND I HAVE YET TO FIND MEDS THAT WORK FOR ME I STARTED THE ANTIDEPRESSENTS IN OCTOBER THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE I FELT LIKE I WAS SINKING AS FAR AS ACCEPTING I AM THE TYPE THAT NEEDS TO KNOW HOW TO HELP MYSELF SO I AM DOING PHYSIO AND SHE WILL TEACH ME ALL THE THINGS LIKE HOW TO EXERCISE AND DRESS MYSELF IF I AM FLARING ANYWAYS IT HELPS ME TO MOVE FORWARD......TERESAYou're not alone in lying down and allowing negative thoughts to take over when you are stiff and in a lot of pain. If I woke up each morning with a lot of pain and stiffness and I didn't have my painkillers to give me relief I'd be very down. It is a vicious circle because if you lie around feeling bad it adds to your depressed state. Thankfully with medication that helps relieve my pain I find that after getting up and moving around the stiffness and pain subsides and then I can get busy doing things even if it's just using the computer.
If you take your medication on going to bed it can lessen your discomfort on waking and then it's easier to get up and moving. If your medication isn't giving sufficient relief then ask you doctor if there is any stronger medication since the pain is getting you down.
Anti-depressants should be a last resort the way I see it (sorry you’re on them merry and I hope they help). If it gets to the stage of needing anti-depressants then getting all the outside help you can is called for. Maybe finding a group of fellow sufferers or a group of people that have problems and meet to support each other because being depressed and on your own is not good. Even a pet can help-my cat greets me each morning on waking and he's become a nice little companion that doesn't ask for much and if you treat him well he treats you well. My cat even sleeps lying on my chest sometimes as I lie on the couch watching TV! It's marvellous how animals respond to affection by giving it back without any judgments of us.
The problem with aging is that we inevitably see our bodies deteriorating and if we identify too much with our bodies it can be depressing. There is an analogy that comes to mind that shows the problem in perspective. If you think of yourself as a lightbulb are you the lightbulb or the light?
If you are the light that shines within the bulb then as the bulb deteriorates it's expected and not so much a problem since you are the light and the light doesn't change. The real you is the person that lives in the body and that real you can remain as alive as ever as the body falls apart. Of course it is easier for me to say this as my body aside from the arthritis is still in reasonable shape and I can get around and do things. Sooner or later it will fall apart (it's doing so already since I learned recently I have the first signs of cataracts and the nerves in the back of my eye may be damaged) and I hope I can identify with the light that is me even though the body is falling apart.
msjoey311
G'day :) I'm rather new to arthritis and to forums for that matter.
I felt your pain and despiar as I read your message. I too have been going through similar of late. Let me say this up front. What your feeling (despair) is natural. The feelings of despair, fear and that this is going to be the rest of your life at that moment of sheer agonising pain! It's very hard to accept. I am struggling myself. If it helps at all to suggest, take whatever pain medication you can at that time, that will give you some mobility and releif and like Merry said.......MOVE FORWARD at least for an hour, 3 hours or a day. I'm trying to live 1 day at a time, otherwise it's too big, too consuming to allow it to take over. Q.How do you eat an Elephant? A. One bite at a time.
Cheers to you Carolyn/Cazz The bad thing about eating elephants is that they are so tough, and they are just so hard to chew!!!
They are more tender and yum Sautéed.
With ketchup (Tomato sauce in Oz)
G'day Dragon, Ok The light theory has filtered through :) I hope also that I can identify with the light "that is me" as my body is falling apart. I have to share this Brain Wave I had in the middle of the night *Scary I know* hahaha If we take away fear, then we only have the pain & disease to deal with. Fear itself is crippling. Add fear and we add a whole new host of problems, that complicate an already painful and problematic situation. Treatment in whatever form, followed by hope is easier to persue when fear is absent :) Thats my profound statement for today :) Cheers Carolyn/Cazz :) Cazz you are right...such a zen statement...
I'll have to admit, I even surprised myself with that revelation :) Just so long as I take my own Cousell, when that time comes around again next. CHEERS I understand completely - I am in the middle of a horrible bout of OA, this time w/ tendonitis, and my doctor is sending me back for another round of physical therapy. Does anyone else feel like the PT is just torture? I literally leave crying. I agree that the feelings of hopelesslessness are overwhelming
G'day OA in Delaware :) Welcome :) I'm gathering PT is similar to what we call Physiotherapy treatment here in Oz. Any stretching or excessive movement on our already painful joints can not be fun. I'll be honest, the last time I was sent for physio, I left in excruciating pain and tears and refused to go back. I literally just about crawled out of that office that day and cancelled the 3 future appointments I had scheduled. Torture is/was for me a good way to explain it. If you don't feel it helps why go? I'm not paying anyone to put me through any further pain if it is not going to result in my feeling better eventually. I'm about to embark on a treatment called Prolotherapy and I've heard the injections hurt and there is some pain also for a couple of days to follow. Sure I'm not excited about the prospect of the pain, however the possible ramifications for pain releif and mobility to follow are worth my exploring this. Cheers Carolyn/Cazz I too suffer from OA and carpal tunnel syndrome. I would classify my OA as mild and my CTS as severe. I have tried many pharmaceuticals, but the side effects were often worse than the pain and stiffness. Two weeks ago a friend of mine from my bridge club basically forced me to go on ebay and buy a bottle of a product called Mona Vie. She had been taking it for her severe OA and was a amzed with the results. I must say that nearly 2 weeks later, my pain and stiffness in my knees and hips have decreased by 80%. Do I feel like running the Boston Marathon? No. But I do feel better than I have in years. I suggest going on ebay and buying one bottle and see if it works for you. I have since signed on with the company to have my Mona Vie delivered automatically and it is much cheaper. Anyone who wants to try this, I can send a bottle of my personal supply for my price. Either way, please try this. It has made all the difference in the world. God bless. Judi
Hey Judi63 G'day :) WoW great news that you have had such relief from Mona Vie. 80% is brilliant, I'll be sure to look it up. Sharing news like this is always beneficial. I've never been that successful buying things on ebay, I can never work out the payment thinggy hahaa. CHEERS to your continued pain relief and your fture health. Cheers Carolyn/Cazz :) well, i've learned that accepting what we have, what we are, and what we Might be is the key. i'm still in the process of learning to accept things, but when i do, it all gets so much easier. turn all bad thoughts around into good ones. i wish nothing but the best for you all.
I have found that having a routine helps me. I try to set up a
fruit, bottle of water (preopened) and some medications so that when I
wake up I can just lay in bed and take them till I feel better. I
also do gentle and light stretching in the bed, even if it hurts.
It helps. Relaxation music helps too. I
actually set my alarm a few hours early so I can start moving earlier
if I have to be moving by a certain time. It is really hard, and
I know how you feel.
I have also found that taking a hot shower or bath helps me get moving
better, even if it hurts to get in or out, I feel better than had I not
taken one at all.
I can't say I have accepted it, but I have learned to plan my life
around it more. That has helped me to not be in acute pain during
important times as often.
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