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Here's to Your Health:  OsteoArthritis ~ Learning to live with it  |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6724 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6724 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 10:08:42 AM
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Are there other farmgirls out there that have OsteoArthritis? How are you handling the pain and learning to live it because you know you will have it the rest of your life.
I have new pain pills the doctor gave me this week, I have Physical Therapy once a week and when it gets so bad I have a wonderful Massage Therapist. She can really help relieve my pain and she also does Reiki.
I have OsteoArthritis in both my knees as well as my neck, collar bone and right shoulder and neck. Right now the pain in my knees are worse despite a total right knee replacement Jan. 2010 and Arthroscopic Surgery on the left this past February. I will have to have a partial in my left knee as my knee is shot:-( So, that is what I am dealing with right now.
It is so hard for me to live with the chronic pain and I get very crabby (that is the nice word). I can no longer do the things I use to love like hikes with my family and long walks with my doggies. We do very short walks around my 3 acres as I have to have some exercise besides my Stationary Bike. Plus it gets me out in the fresh air.
Don't get me wrong I still do things, like continue volunteer work, fishing etc. but in is all done in pain but I have to have a life. For the most part I am a happy farmgirl, just a farmgirl in pain all the time.
So, that is my story and my complaints and how I try to deal with it, I do not handle pain well at all I am a big sissy farmgirl:-)
Hope to hear from other farmgirls with how you deal with it.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
Edited by - Blessed in Colorado on Jun 10 2011 10:13:12 AM |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
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foreverbooks
True Blue Farmgirl
514 Posts
Carole
Tombstone
AZ
USA
514 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 10:37:10 AM
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Debbie,
I have gotten "Arthritis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier" by Shelley Peterman Schwarz from our local library. It looks like it has some good ideas in it. I found that swimming helps and also Tai Chi. I understand Tai Chi comes in a variety of forms. There is one for arthritis and also the Tai Chi Chi Kung is good. I like your idea of a massage therapist that does Reiki.
Carole
Arizona Farmgirl Sister #2556 |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6724 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6724 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 10:41:54 AM
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Oh that is one thing Karla I am so thankful for that it is in my knees and neck just now, as like you I have got to keep my hands moving. I could not even imagine not be able to knit or crochet. I have Carpal Tunnel in my right hand that really gives me fits when I knit and crochet too long if I do not take my medicine. You are right about keep moving and I do despite the pain. I have the tendency to tighten up in my knees if I sit too long, it is better for me too keep moving.
Thanks for sharing.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6724 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6724 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 10:47:20 AM
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Yes, Carol I do try Yoga (never Tai Chi though) and I use to do it once a week before my knee surgeries. Now I can not kneel and it is so hard to get up and down off the floor, and doing it in the chair I just don't I get the benefit I want. My doctor suggested Pilates so I went out and bought a 10 minute beginner Pilates DVD, it is still in the package. It is getting the energy to do it. I will certainly check our library for the book, I also got a sample copy of Arthritis today which also has some useful information.
Yes, I love going to the pool as well, I need to start going either before or after my Physical Therapy and Massage, it does feel so good.
Thanks for the information, it is appreciated.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 12:19:06 PM
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The pool and warm water therapy are a big help. I have OA and herniated discs in my neck and back. My next option is fusing. I am trying to avoid that. Watch the meds, they can be hard on your tummy. My use of ibuprofen tore up my tummy and now I can never use anti inflammatories. Low impact exercise is key. You strengthen the muscles with little wear on the joint. What part of Colorado are you in? I am in Denver.
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6724 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6724 Posts |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 12:54:41 PM
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I am near the Zoo. DO you have any hot springs or pools that you could visit?
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6724 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6724 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 1:06:37 PM
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The closest is in Buena Vista, I went a couple months ago with a girlfriend, it was wonderful. We need to go more often as it is not that far away from us about an hour.
When we lived in Montrose we use to go to Ouray all the time, I sure miss it. We have a pool at Cripple Creek about 20 minutes from us that I go to, it sure helps the arthritis.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2011 : 4:08:02 PM
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| I have chronic knee pain in the left one ever since a meniscus surgery. I take Aleve every day sometimes with an aspirin to get relief. wear a neoprene brace most days too. cold and rain make me miserable. I cannot walk for long periods, have given up tennis, hiking, and biking. some therapy exercises and yoga help but nothing we've done has anything but temporary results. need to go back to the surgeon but with copays, deductables and coinsurance I'm not sure I can afford it. so I live with pain every day |
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RaspberryBee
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
Karen
Montrose
Michigan
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2011 : 04:45:18 AM
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Ladies there are lots of herbs out there that address inflamation and pain from OA. I am 45 and for the last 10 years have had a growing list of places OA has attacked. The Dr's figure I should not have been so heavy into sports as a youngster - topo late now. I hate to take medicines so and after having my knees operated on twice and my back once heavy meds seemed the only option. I work for 6 weeks in the spring in a temp greenhouse on the parking lot of the local grocery store and the paing I would experience daily was getting to be horrendous. I would be in tears sobbing at night while getting dinner and getting ready for bed. I started researching natural ways to combat what was happening to me. I read about apple cider vinegar in an old MaryJane's farm mag and gave it a try - about a month into it I started to feel like a new person. As long as I take it in the morning and night everyday the pain stays away and the joints are like they were 20 years ago. When I travel the first thing I do is find a local Whole Foods and buy a bottle of Braggs (at home I take an ACV that our local organic apple orchard makes). I start out with a wee bit of cinnamon then a tsp of honey and stir that up well. Then I add 2 tsp of ACV then a bit of warm water and stir then swallow quickly. It is not the happiest of things to drink and some batches of my ACV are stronger than others but the benefits out way the harshness. Do some research and see if this might help you!
Farmgirl Sister #918
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
-Henry David Thoreau- |
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Here's to Your Health: OsteoArthritis ~ Learning to live with it |
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OsteoArthritis ~ Learning to live with it
