Osteoarthritis

Thanks Eileen. I really appreciate what you say.  The pain seems to bother meal night long and keeps waking me up .. Groan... But once I'm up it does improve a lot.  Walking also makes my pain worse although I do still do as much as I can. Probably not more than about half to three quarters of an hour a day.  I will try the per atom and the wheat bags together with my tens machine. I bought that for my frozen shoulders a few years ago so can try it tomorrow. Neverthought of it before now.  Am a it worried cos I've had to start looking after my year old grandson here and there, who is gorgeous and very good with me, but very heavy to get down the stairs. He can get up by himself I'm pleased to say, with me right behind him.lol.  He makes me feel young again except for my aches and pains.  Thanks for your support, and I do hope you find some relief soon.  Xx

Hi Christine I agree with you about looking after grandchildren.  My husband and I go up a hours journey to look after our 2 year old grandson once a week, sometimes I can't go but try most times.  He is heavy and of course at 2 very active.  I am sad when he says Nanny come down meaning sit on the floor and play with him and I have to say 

I can't sweetheart because of nanny's sore knee.  I am exhausted usually when we come home in the evening but I am happier in myself for spending time with him which is good for my anxiety.  My other daughter and family are due to come down and stay in 3 weeks time.

Two grandaughters aged 6 and 2.  I look forward and dread their visit at

the same time if you know what I mean.  But once again it is so lovely

to see them and my daughter and husband.  If you have to just look after your grandson occasionally I cannot only suggest resting the day before and after if that is possible.  Are you going to be looking after him at your home or his?  I looked after my 6yr old grandaugher from 5months to just under 2 for 2 days a week at my home and although it

was tiring it was rewarding too.  We are both so lucky to have grandchildren.  Keep in touch and let us know how it goes. 

I bought a 'V' shaped pillow a few weeks ago and I love it.  It's very versatile and I find it has helped me sleep much better.  It also means I have an extra pillow to put under or between my legs.  I always wake up cuddling my new pillow

Hi CelsB

I've got a V shaped pillow but all I use it for is on the settee when I lie and watch TV....very comfortable.

Can I ask how you use it in bed? I tried along time ago but couldnt get comfortable so any tips would be hlepful

Thanks

Eileen

Well, I have my head on the V part and cuddle the side bits.  I find it supports my neck better and I don't wake up feeling stiff as I do when I sleep on flat pillows.  It works for me.  I've never though of using it on the sofa - thanks for the tip

Hi again

Thanks for that

So do you not use any other pillows at all???

I was trying to use it when half sitting up {first 6 weeks} but using other pillows as well...I couldnt get comfortable.

We are going away {6 days} in a caravan......a tourer....not a static with a comfy bed....Not my idea  Im trying to think of ideas to make the nights more comfortable....so might try  the V shape before going

Eileen

I have one pillow underneath the V shaped one and another pillow between my knees to support my bad hip.

I hope the weather stays good for your holiday.  It has been beautiful here in Northamptonshire today 

Hi

I'll give the V shape pillow another try tonight

I did try to  have one between my legs {like after the 1st THR} but because it is fractured it hurts....o have given that a miss.

I'll try the V shape and let you know

Love

Eileen

Hello, oh yes I couldn't agree more with you. I have to have my grandson for two days and two nights in every 8 days as my daughter is in the London fire brigade and does shifts. He's a good and happy little soul, but of course at 13months quite tiring too and I do get tired. I manage to rest whenever he does and he goes to bed early and sleeps late luckily for me.  I wish that I could have been younger at this time but I guess that's just fate.  I love every minute of my time with him and my daughter and husband so I consider myself very lucky indeed, which I can see that you do too.  I've tried the hot water bottle on my back tonight and it has made it feel better, and I've bought myself a grabber thing to pick the stuff off the floor and put it all back in the toy box lol.  I must admit that when I had my son and daughter I never ever thought that I would be looking after their children at 66!  But that's the way it is now and I am pleased to be able to help them out.  I only retired two years ago so if they'd had the baby then I wouldnt have been available.  You've certainly done your share by the sound of it, and although we've got our aches and pains to put up with I think we are both happy ladies.  I'm going to try all the tips on here and will let you know how I get on.  Thanks for getting in touch it was lovely to hear from you. So supportive to have other people to talk to about it, that actually understand.  Xx

Hi thanks for that advice. I have got a body pillow but find it a bit much. I will try a v shape and see if it's any better. I usually cuddle one of my small pillows as it helps support my shoulders. Also keeps you warmer in the winter.  Keep happy!  Lovely to talk to you.

Hi Christine I too did not think I would be looking after grandchildren at 

66 and have said like you if only they had come along 10 years earlier but like you I would have been at work like my mum was when my 3 were small. Sadly she died of cancer aged 68 and my son was then 20 and my twin daughters 16, so I am glad she did see them grow up which is something that worries me.  One son and daughter live a hour away

and my other daughter with the 2 girls 3/4 hours away.  I was lucky in that I retired just before my 6yr old grandaughter was born they lived local then.  My children are lucky they all have local inlaws who are lovely  and they do a lot of childcare which is great.  I do feel sorry for parents these days. I did not work before they went to school (could not have afforded child care anyway) but now mums and dads have to work to pay the bills as mine do and they get very tired.  Luckily for me my daughter and son inlaw are both teachers so I do get to see them in the 

 holidays.  I hope things go well for you.  I do try to stay positive but it is not easy as I suffer from anxiety and have other health problems as well.  We ladies seem to have a tough time sometimes and you never stop being a mother and helping out where you can.  I remember someone on the tv saying grandchildren are natures 2nd chance, and that sums if up I think. Take care.

I moved away just before I retired.  I had awful neighbours and I just couldn't stand it any more.  Now I live in a small town some miles away from my children and grandchildren.  I don't see them as much as I used to and because of the distance it is difficult to help out with childcare. This is a double edged sword.  I would love to have more time with them but at the moment I wouldn't be able to run around after them, and being 5 and 8 they take some running after lol.  

Hi

I'm so sorry to hear your story.....you seem to have got it bad. I used to work as a nurse for people with learning difficulties....I loved that job. I had to give it up before OA reared its ugly head {2 children} I would have been devasted if I had had to give it up because of OA so I have an idea how you feel.

I havent googled vasculitis yet.....its 10.20pm and just trying to catch up on a lot of posts.  I have a rough idea and will google it tomorrow.

Its inflammation in veins I think or something similar.

I'm on Paracetamol 2 x 4 a day, I've got it down to 3 doses a day now

I'm also on naproxen....have tried to lower that dose but I cant.....just gets very sore.

They were going to give me gabepentin at one stage but I pointed out that I have epilepsy {been clear for 33 years but still have to take meds} and they clashed with those. I will keep taking the epilepsy ones and forgo the others LOL No way do I want to lose my driving licence etc etc.

I get out of bed in the morning, husband has put the kettle on and makes 2 cups of tea, he goes back to bed to read, I come in to this room in my pj's and work on the computer and then its about half an hour before I start getting ready......let the pain killers/dullers LOL kick in.....then it takes a while before I can move properly.

Hope your rheumy appointment goes well.

But do try other things...self managment things as well as meds.

I had my 2nd hip replacement at the end of Jan. 4 weeks later I was doing an NHS exercise and heard a crack!!!!! the leg just gave way. Ambulance took me into hospital and it was x rayed and I was told you have fractured the greater trochanter bone???? Never heard of it but it is up beside where they replaced the hip. I was told there was nothing they could do about it that it would heal itself but would take a long time......5 months later I'm still on crutches So not sure what a long time is.

One of the things that bother me at night is my hip bone....if I lie on it it is so sore. I automatically roll on to that side in my sleep.

A few days ago I was in the bathroom doing some sorting out and lifted a bath sponge and thought that I would throw it out. I'd just bought a new one. Then I suddenly had a thought......I do sometimes. LOL Well that night I put the sponge inside pyjama trousers against that bone.  It helped!!!!!!!!!!! squashed the sponge but so what.......I found something that helped a bit without thinking about any more pain killers.

Love

Eileen

 

Hi, so sorry to hear of your plight. It sounds awful, and having to take so many drugs too!  I know what it's like to cry with pain at night with  slipped disc ten years ago and two frozen shoulders five years ago. It's terrible, but please don't give up. Take the mess and although you might feel like a zombie at least it will give you a little respite. Hopefully the docs will find something better for you soon.  Xxx