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Bending the body

Posted , 13 users are following.

jill58546
jill58546

Can anyone help me the the question, how to bend over to pick something up?  When PMR started I could not lift my legs or bend over. Now I can lift my legs to a degree but still having trouble bending over. Is there something to help this or a different way of bending? I hate having people pick things up for me when I should be able to myself.

1 like, 20 replies

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  • kate50809
    kate50809 jill58546

    Posted

    Hi Jill, Sorry I don't have an answer but it is amazing how you do find ways.  Also I find one of those grabbing sticks really useful, not only for picking things up but for getting things out of cupboards which have suddenly become to high!

    Remember also 'the tyranny of the oughts' If you are able, do it, if you are unable ask someone else, no should about it! This is a hard lesson I know, I have always been an independent woman but now I am trying to be a human be-ing rather than a human do-ing! Good luck and take care.

    • jill58546
      jill58546 kate50809

      Posted

      Thanks. It is hard asking for help for simple things. They just look at me like “really”. Specially my grandchildren when they are use to grandma doing everything for them. Breaks my heart I can’t help anymore.
    • EileenH
      EileenH jill58546

      Posted

      Time for them to learn to help grandma - as my mother would have said, they won't learn any younger...

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy jill58546

      Posted

      I found it incredibly difficult asking for help. I then needed a stick and people started to help me all the time and I realised it is quite nice being helped!
    • kate50809
      kate50809 jill58546

      Posted

      I do understand how difficult it is, I don't think it is selfishness, It just does not occur to them that you need help, and you probably don't want to feel a wimp asking for it!! If you get a grabber stick it could help in two ways. 1 obviously you would be able to pick things up and 2. If your grandchildren are still children they will want to have a go, so job done!  If they are older it will show them that you are in need of help. Might work as a visual aid!!

       

  • lynda62707
    lynda62707 jill58546

    Posted

    Hi Jill, tho I don't have this myself, I've seen a device that's kinda a "clamping/squeezing deal at the end of a pole. Sorry I can't be more descriptive, but maybe someone else will have more accurate information/description!

    Hope this helps a little.

    • BettyE
      BettyE lynda62707

      Posted

      If you Google " helping hand grabber "you'll find they are easily available. I was provided with one to use while recovering form my hip replacement.

  • EileenH
    EileenH jill58546

    Posted

    Get yourself a grabber stick/tool.

    There is no should about PMR - if you can't, you can't. However - if you are still so stiff I'd suggest you aren't on a high enough dose of pred. 

    • jill58546
      jill58546 EileenH

      Posted

      I was afraid of that. I went up 5 more mg’s today to see if that will help and give that a try for a few days.  Grabber stick also sounds like I need that. Thanks
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy jill58546

      Posted

      I had a grabber stick for when I had a hip replacement op. I still use it when I am feeling lazy. I got mine from Amazon. Some do seem to be better than others, worth reading the comments on them.
  • jones10939
    jones10939 jill58546

    Posted

    Long handled milk bottle holders and long handled dustpan and brush are widely available (UK).
  • Harrie4
    Harrie4 jill58546

    Posted

    I agree with Eileen regarding your pred dosage. Each of us probably has a kind of benchmark for monitoring whether the pred is at the optimal level: as low as possible while maintaining basic quality of life. I confess that mine involves putting on my smalls. If I can do so from a standing position all is well. When I start needing to sit then I know it’s time to pay extra attention to my pred level and how my body is adjusting to wherever I am in the taper strategy. It cld only be luck but I have never been unable to pick up items unless  I’m in a flare. Not that picking stuff up is gracefully done— just that it’s doable. Without knowing any details regarding your age or experience with PMR, my 2 cents is that I’d be looking at my pred level if I were you, Jill. Take good care.
    • lynda62707
      lynda62707 Harrie4

      Posted

      You are so right....not particularly graceful!😜

    • jill58546
      jill58546 Harrie4

      Posted

      Just within the first few months is being diagnosed. Still learning
    • Harrie4
      Harrie4 jill58546

      Posted

      ....and you’re in the perfect place for learning, my friend. In fact you’re 2 steps ahead already cuz you’re not only observing but also asking.

      Hang in....PMR is manageable.

    • EileenH
      EileenH Harrie4

      Posted

      And it doesn't kill or cause tissue damage that maims - even more to be grateful for if you have to have an autoimmune disorder. There are far worse things out there and ones that strike in youth/before middle age. We at least had a life first. But it doesn't need to stop because of PMR.

    • rich38490
      rich38490 Harrie4

      Posted

      Agree with the comments on dosage. If you have had a PMR diagnosis for two months, you should be a pred level that would keep you near pain free by now. I was basically immobile in the mornings due to pain and stiffness until I was diagnosed. My RA would not prescribe prednisone initially due to type 1 diabetes. After joining this forum I insisted on prednisone therapy with my endocrinologists endorsement. I was started low and remained at a high pain level until I got the right prednisone level. I am now pain free and even starting to DSNS taper. You must insist on treating the symptoms first.

      Best wishes

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