Since staying independent is to some degree a concern for everyone, lets have a discussion on how to accomplish that.
Tips and hints from everyone for both little and big RA problems might help each of us overcome our disabilities.
Easier and better ways of getting things done...
Those who have always been big and strong and painfree need to learn how to cope far more than those of us who could never keep up. Sharing this kind of information is good for all of us - we will all learn.
Does anyone know of an easy way to wash longish hair? Preferably without having to get it all cut off.
Washing long hair goes easier using a hand held shower sprayer set on 'blast' to knock the soap out helps. Sitting on a shower stool also helps. I use conditioner to try untangle it easily. It's still a big job when my elbows are really bad!
I also keep a bottle of water beside my bed, so I don't need to get up during the night if I need a drink or need to take a pill.
My husband bought me a toilavator this past Christmas. I really like it. Makes it easier on me when my hips are sore. PLus I hated to have a raised toilet seat when having company over. With the toilavator, you sit on your regular toilet seat.
Scattered, once a week a lady washes my hair at a salon. Being 50 yrs old I don't need to wash it as often and I refuse to cut it as I can sit on my hair.Kelstev,
What is a toilavator? A lift for the toilet? Never heard of such a name
Phatgirl One thing I had to get was an electric can opener. That has been a life saver! I also just got a chopper. I haven't used it yet because I'm in the flare from h*ll. But, I'm planning on putting it to good use soon. Phatgirl2 Here it is http://www.affordableoption.com/toilevator.html How cool is that? I love that thing. I'll put that on my list from Santa this year
It is much more pleasing to the eye than the standard "lifts". Phatgirl I bought very cheapo spoons and forks with big handles at Walmart that help. I also use picnic wear plastic plates and bowls because my heavy ceramic dishes were too much to carry. For Christmas I got a One Touch battery can opener that I really like. I have a pronged cane that I use to help me get up and for icy weather. My labrador retriever also helps me get up sometimes. I just bought a child's non-spill sippy cup for by my bed. I'd be in trouble without the 7-day pill boxes. Different color for morning and night. I had to get a toilet seat riser because of the knee surgery. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell Julie ahead of time. It was rather shocking to find the seat suddenly 4-5 inches higher. Actually, the toilelvator looks much cooler. But this one I got at Walmart for about and it's not bad looking. The biggest help I've found is to divide tasks into parts. For instance, I don't try and do several loads of laundry in a day. I also have to ask for help. It's a given, so I just have to break down and do it. I have used wrist splints, compression gloves, parafin baths, knee braces, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, proper shoes, ergonomic equipment for the computer. I will attempt to get around any obstacle that crosses my path. I am determined to still have my life even if I have to chew it is smaller bites. I do everything possible to strengthen any part of me that weakens. I don't hesitate to take the medications I need or see a specialist to solve a problem. I intend to live my life to the best possible level. I am so amazed the difference braces have made in my life. Also pain management. We are adjusting my pain meds so I no longer am on this roller coaster ride. It is really hard to adjust to RA when you never know when you might be in agony so doctor and I are working on time release oxycotin. Control the pain and hope to get my sanity back
I bought a really neat reach stick (store keepers helper) called a Golden Retriever. Being very short I spend a lot of my time trying to get stuff off of shelves I can't quite reach, etc. I've lost extension in my elbows, my reach is about 2 inches less than it was when we put up the kitchen cabinets, laundry room shelf, the high clothes bar in the closet. I really can't step up on a stool easily any more. So my reacher makes every day life so much less aggravating for both myself and Dear Hubby also know as 'Fetch'. You can also use it while seated... I have about a 5 foot reach now
20 years ago, I have decided to dump all chemical drugs when I found wild lingzhi, herbs and natural foods. The learning process to rejuvenate the healthy body by taking appropriate herbs and and eating right takes time to gradually and positively control, manage and repel the disease. The weakness of one body let the disease "command" and "dictate" at its mercy. Drugs suppose to fight disease has it "time frame" effectiveness. Once the suppose effectiveness is lost, the body is also weaken, the disease appear to be more aggressive and become the "master". When the disease flares, pain is all around. The disease can freely advance to any part of the joints to cause "rampage", crippling, pain and immobility. Attacks can be numerous times in a year. I cannot live without drugs (painkillers), injections as there was nothing came close to ease pain. That was my past experience and though nearly 40years ago. The belief was incorrect since I find natural foods is the althernative. Stay suppreme to the disease. Since I have appropriate herbs I can control pain of each flare in the the past. Once the herbs in the body it "tracks" the disease advancement, "tames", "neutralizes" its aggressiveness. It is so disease friendly that its "turn" all the toxics into waste to be disposed gradually till swells subside. As the body healthiness improve gradually through the years, the disease "dwindles" and "melts down" to no threat. It is not remissions but reversals. If there is a flare I know to well I am the "master" to the disease. Its just cannot play havoc any more because I am in command. No need to look for household or any products to reduce the burden. It is back to normal healthy lifestyle. One can squat, walk, run, jump, climb. As a layman, I conclude that to nurture back the body healthiness is utmost important, then there is a chance to repel the disease. It is only possible with appropriate herbs, right natural foods. The disease like to live in weak body
You have to understand that for most of us, it sounds so complicated. We are constantly warned about drug interactions with both herbs and vitamins even very common ones. But that doesn't mean you don't have valid ideas and experience. I really think you should consider writing a book and then selling it. If you do though, get some one good to edit the English because sometimes your English seems awkward to Americans. That doesn't mean that your English is bad. But I've noticed that with my friends from India, England and Canada that their way of speaking is just a different style. I really notice it when working with my friends from India. Technically, their English is actually more precise. But to my ear, it sounds strange. Anyway, I've been reading your posts of late and found them much easier to understand. I wanted to complement you on that and also encourage you to maybe pursue writing about what you've learned in other venues. Maybe you could start with a magazine article, letter to the editor, etc. There are a lot of natural health magazines which would love to hear from someone that has put a lot of research into their search for getting well. I hope you see all of this as a complement, because that is how I intend it. Deanna, as my English is no good and you have found difficulty to understand, it would be a disaster to be an author. You too have to understand I am a chronic sufferer and came long way to overcome the disease. I have sorted out the complications and attained possitive result and breakthrough. My passion is to inform others that there is hope and reality because I have achieved it. How you are warned about drugs interactions with herbs and vitamins - your awareness, belief are all your acceptance and decision in your persuance to fight the disease. To climb and reach the top of Hillmalaya is life achievement to many climbers. Through years of training, a very few can achieve, many fail and to non climbers they don't even "think or dream" of climbing the foot of the mountain. Deanna, you find what I have wrote is not in line with you thinking, belief and acceptance, therefore it is complex for you to comprehend. Only for those have practical experience to overcome disease then they know the real meaning and reality. It requires disciplines, adjusted thinking, strong belief, determination to find appropriate herbs and use them to fight disease and take correct natural foods as daily diet (not vitamins and health foods in stores) to slowly adjust the metabolic inbalances, improve and regain healthy body system. Fighting arthritis is like in a battle field. When the strong army advances the weak enemy cannot resist and is forced to abundon and retreat strategically. When you find more and more difficulties in your daily chores then the disease is signalling that it is advancing progressively and aggressively and your body is weakening in the similiar manner. One is at a lost to cope with such a situation. Drugs are losing its control over the disease. Fear, depression and uncertainty set in. In my past years, I would take herbs to ease pain and continue the taking them until swells subsided and wastes left the body naturally. The disease has no match to appropriate herbs, it just left willingly after the battle in the body. I finally got so that my memory was not reliable a consistant level at times, so I found this cool calender online thats really user friendly. It has "polite" alarms you can use for meds and "In home" appointments if you have those. Unlimited reminders a day! If you miss them it leaves them as a list on your desktop. It was shareware. I take pliers everywhere to open things when I can't grip them. I have found the suggestions here hugely helpful! Thanks 2 everyone! kinda like christmas..awesome!
I am determined to still have my life even if I have to chew it is smaller bites.
Deanna, you have such a way with words. I love the above quote
Thanks for being you!!
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com