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Transcripts-9/4/00
Travel & Arthritis-Open Discussion
As most Open Discussions go, we strayed
from the topic here and there. This transcript has been edited in an
attempt to exclude all but the travel related discussion.
higgy> what do you do when you cant turn the ignition key?
Melanie> There are tools you can get tohelp with that, higgy.
InsightHostKJ> higgy...they sell little things that go around the key to make it easier to turn
higgy> cool
higgy> never saw that
jimmy1> higgy they make a device that will start your car for you
InsightHostKJ> i've also heard of putting a dowel rod thru the key somehow and turning it
higgy> will the device drive it too?
Melanie> lol
jimmy1> not yet lol
Guest24 How can you drive if you can't turn the key? When I'm hurting that bad, I can barely hold on to the steering wheel.
higgy> im ok now, but there have been times in the past
higgy> yea, barley turn the wheel
Melanie> Sometimes its tricky, 24
InsightHostKJ> 24 sometimes its not pain that prevents the key turning it is loss of fine motor movement in the fingers
higgy> wide corners
Guest24 I hear you
Melanie> And sometimes I just stay home! Too much pain and trouble
InsightHostKJ> LOL Mel...know that feeling well
higgy> when i first got ra i had a s-10 without power steering
Melanie> Whew!
higgy> i made some really wide corners
higgy> and parellel park? lmao
Guest24 Getting someone else to drive helps. Bringing all the meds and not being able to participate in everything sometimes stinks.
NIKKI> I still have a stick shift & it bothers my hands & legs.
InsightHostKJ> i couldnt parellel park before RA
higgy> lol kj
higgy> i have a manual but i have power steering now
Melanie> Me either, KJ.
Melanie> All automatic for me - lazy before and now need it.
InsightHostKJ> my problem with driving is i am losing range of motion in my neck..can't turn my head like i used to
higgy> i just got a handicapped sticker a couple weeks ago
higgy> im really cool now
Melanie> Oh, I'm sorry. That's not good. Maybe kids and riders can watch all sides.
NIKKI> That's what hurts the worst is turning my head.
InsightHostKJ> alright higgy! you are in the cool club now!
woodenboy> my problem with driving is that the cars in front of me go too damb slow
higgy> yea
Melanie> Been thinking about that sticker too.
InsightHostKJ> LOL LOL Woodenboy
higgy> i had a neck problem too, but it got better
InsightHostKJ> Wel since driving is part of travel..we might as well start the chat now...lol
higgy> it was a problem driving
InsightHostKJ> Melanie the sticker is a big help
higgy> sticker is cool... i go more places now
Melanie> I realized that when I had that foot surgery. Wished I had already gotten it.
woodenboy> the ra doesnt affect my driving its the drugs that make me anxious
InsightHostKJ> i hated to ask for it and took me forever to use it...but now I use it all the time
InsightHostKJ> which drugs woodenboy?
Melanie> I'm ready now, I think.
higgy> i waited over 2 years
InsightHostKJ> me too higgy
higgy> but my knees are so shot
woodenboy> methotrexate, prednisone, cyclosporine, celebrex
InsightHostKJ> pred can sure make you anxious
higgy> wow, a drug store
Melanie> Between back surgery and foot surgery, I think I've got a permanent limp going especially after riding about 30 minutes.
woodenboy> yes a drug store in my stomack
higgy> i walk like im 105 years old
higgy> im faster on crutches
InsightHostKJ> what do you guys do on long car trips? any tips?
NIKKI> So do I. I see 85 year olds walking better than me.
Melanie> Stop periodically and stretch
woodenboy> on long car trips try to sleep
InsightHostKJ> as long as you arent driving woodenboy! LOL
Melanie> Use pillows to position as comfortably as possible.
Guest24 Personally, I share the driving & when I'm the passenger I put my legs up on the dash and then down, turn side to side - stop and walk a bit.
Melanie> I've not been on really long trips so don't know how that will work exactly.
higgy> after a long drive its hard to get out and walk
InsightHostKJ> hard to stand up!
Melanie> Its just hard to get out. lol
jimmy1> I stay on the road for 10 hours a trip and it,s the next day or 2 that tough
Guest24 What bothers me is the hotel room - new beds - being able to get comfortable. That's when I really need a tranquilizer.
Melanie> Wow, jimmy. Do you drive all that time?
jimmy1> Have to stop often
InsightHostKJ> Last time I went to california i stayed in a Hyatt...had the most comfortable bed topper....i wanted to take it home with me
Tra> I stayed at the Hyatt in LA -- was very comfortable
noell1> My job keeps me behind the wheel all day when I'm in the field. I have to get out and walk quite a bit to keep flexable.
jimmy1> Dog bone shaped pillow works great for the neck
woodenboy> i dont like traveling it makes me feel weak and frail and very vulnerable
InsightHostKJ> Always make sure you have your meds handy....never know when you might need them!
Melanie> True. and keep them on you
Guest24 We've been back and forth to canada this summer. If anyone at the border searched me, they'd think I was a junkie.
Melanie> I've never had the opportunity but decided its now or never to travel some.
woodenboy> i feel like i will brak down or something. i dont know. its something psychological ever since the ra
InsightHostKJ> LOL 24....I love it when you go thru the metal detector with a box full of needles and syringes
Melanie> I identify woodenboy. I always jumped out and changed tires but now can't even loosen lug nuts.
InsightHostKJ> junkie alert!
swimmer> what do they do at airports about needles?
InsightHostKJ> nothing swimmer...i've never even benn asked why I have them
jimmy1> call the dogs in on you swimmer lol
InsightHostKJ> but i always make sure they are in the orginal container with the RX info on it just in case
InsightHostKJ> Taking Enbrel on a trip can be tricky....gotta keep it cool
Melanie> Small ice chest might work, KJ.
InsightHostKJ> I used a kids soft insulated lunch bag with an ice pack in it..worked pretty well
jimmy1> KJ has anyone got a list of reliable doctors around the states.I start a new job about every year and would like to know the ones not to see
InsightHostKJ> Nope Jimmy...but you can always ask me to ask in the newsletter for recommendations in your new area
jimmy1> Thanks haven,t thought of that
InsightHostKJ> traveling with arthritis is like traveling with a 5 year old..only the five year old is you! "I need a nap." "My legs hurt" etc
jimmy1> Are we there yet?LOL
swimmer> LOL kj
noell1> lol
Tra> lol
InsightHostKJ> LOL Jimmy!
Giggles> I do a lot of long distance traveling with the husband ( everywhere is long distance here) I always make sure we stop every hour to excersise the joints and I tnd to sleep alot, that seems to work
Melanie> I use the speed control thingie a lot more, so my leg doesn't have to be extended for so long at a time.
Donna> An hour is about my limit too Giggles
InsightHostKJ> same here gigs...sleep as much as i can if i am not the driver
noell1> Can I ask if anyone else has had to take MTX on the road? If you have, have you had problems with it?
swimmer> a suitcase with wheels helps also
noell1> amen, swimmer
InsightHostKJ> Noell....i have traveled alot with mtx
Giggles> LOL Kj he wont let me drive the truck ( no fun)
InsightHostKJ> and a cane...even if you dont normally use a cane it comes in handy when traveling
Giggles> I have Noel..no problems here
jimmy1> Mtx always keeps me awake the night I take it.Good time to drive.
noell1> maybe it was just the hours that week, or the different climate, i don't know
InsightHostKJ> the best part about traveling is you'll never see those people again so you can make up great excuses for your limp!
InsightHostKJ> i told someone on the plane that my brace was due to a skiing accident in the swiss alps
Melanie> That will be great. I get so tired of explaining.
Donna> ROFL KJ
Melanie> I like that, KJ. lol
Giggles> another one to try also if you are traveling by air, explain your condition to the air assistants, if the have any seats with wider leg room, they may reseat you in them
Donna> and always ask for anaisle seat ... more leg room
swimmer> like first class?
InsightHostKJ> and if you are flying request wheelchair assitance at all gates.....if yo dont need it great...but you don't know how bad you may feel after a couple hours cramped up on a plane
Donna> sometimes they will upgrade you Swimmer, if one is open
Giggles> lol swimmer I have found it easier to pay the extra and travel first class......so thats the only way I fly now
Melanie> I don't fly, so have to mark rest stops as I travel along. lol
Giggles> yeh KJ...I always get loaded on and off a plane in a wheel chair, that long walk and those steps always get to me
Donna> I use a credit card that gives mileage so I can upgrade to first calss with my miles
InsightHostKJ> and dont board when they say "now boarding those with disabilities"...that just puts u in the cramped seat for a longer period of time
Tra> true, KJ
Giggles> wow do they do that over there.....here we just board with every one else
InsightHostKJ> what things do you guys pack for a trip that "normal" people might not?
SueM> LOts of meds
higgy> define normal
Melanie> I need hints and ideas. lol
noell1> I keep my cane in the truck at all times.
Melanie> extra pillows?
InsightHostKJ> make sure the room has a microwave and pack a rice sock
Giggles> I have a donut ring to sit on, a neck support pillow, lots of pillows and heaps of meds lol
InsightHostKJ> i always take an ace wrap or two
swimmer> comfortable shoes
Melanie> night splints
Donna> I bought a collapsable cane and pack it in my luggage
Melanie> Is there a pair of comfortable shoes, swimmer? lol
Giggles> and its a good isea to take your splints with you, I always wear my knee and wrist slpints
swimmer> I give myself extra time so I don't need to "Run" through the airport
InsightHostKJ> bubble bath for a looong hot soak when i finally get to the hotel
Tra> definitely, KJ
Melanie> heat pad or ice pack
swimmer> a corkscrew
Donna> How do you get out of the tyb KJ.. I can't do that
Melanie> lol
InsightHostKJ> donna...very carefuly! LOL
swimmer> yeah...how do you manage that KJ
higgy> Kj must have help
InsightHostKJ> i go from sitting on my butt...to my hands and knees...then grab the side of the tub....
Donna> swimmer i like the corkscrew. Remind me to show you mine
Melanie> and hoist! lol
Giggles> I have had a lift installed in the bathroom ( wasn't that expensive) to help me get in and out of the bath......works very well if hubby isnt there
InsightHostKJ> you got it mel!
InsightHostKJ> I take my electric blanket if i am going somehwere cool
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