Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Hi Junediann, and group. This is my first post. There were several years when I lived my life in a recliner. I live alone, so I had to do for myself. One of the things I did was put bookcases and tables around my chair with everything I could think of that I might need, so I wouldn't have to get up....water jugs, a jar of instant tea, coffee maker, books, meds, cd player, walker, snacks, small microwave. I knew that once I got to the chair I'd be there for hours, so I planned for that. And once I got up, I did whatever needed to be done like quick meals, feeding the cats etc. I had to break down everything I did into steps. And sometimes all the steps to something like, emptying the litter box, would take a couple days. I made a list of the things I wanted to do, needed to do, and broke it down over a week, and checked them off as I did them. And if I couldn't do it on the day planned for that, I'd move it to another day. The list gave me a sense of order and accomplishment. I put the chair by the picture window, and hung bird feeders so I could watch the birds, and the seasons. I spent hours each day listening to music with headphones, and listened to the radio, to help make time pass. This was before I had a computer, or cable and there's only one fuzzy free tv station out here in the sticks, so the days were long...especially if I didn't feel good enough to read. I also journaled, just wrote down everything that was running through my mind for 10 minutes or so. What this forced me to do, was learn how to just be in the moment. I had a small fish tank, and it may sound funny, but fish can be lots of company, lol. I had get rid of the fish when I could no longer clean the tank. I also had water colors and brushes near my chair and played around with those. I also got one of those memory foam mattress pads and that really helped with the pain at night. I made my own shoes from a pair of those elastic water shoes, with foam shock absorbers and gel insoles. These really helped my back and foot pain. I padded my recliner with a piece of foam mattress pad. I also put throw rugs on the kitchen floor because walking on tile was so painful. I should have had a wheelchair, but my medical care at the time was woefully inadequate. I hope some of this is helpful. Maureen > > I have to ask....What does everybody do all day when you can't do > anything. The chronic pain and not sleeping at night is really wearing > on me. When I do sleep it is usually between 3am to 8am then I will > get up but because of the pain I will be on the couch by 9 or 9:30. > Then it is up and down all day. There have been some days when I am on > the couch all day. I want to get up do things but I can't handle the > pain. > > I had a car accident and broke 32 bones in my back. My worst pain is > in the upper back, T4-T7 are pushing on the spinal cord. No surgery > without putting me in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. They say > my back will collapse and then I will be in the chair but I want to > walk as long as possible. It's like my upper back will not hold my > upper body up even with the braces on. > > junediann > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Two b sailing How are you doing now? Marsha Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Re: What does everyone do....................... Hi Junediann, and group. This is my first post. There were several years when I lived my life in a recliner. I live alone, so I had to do for myself. One of the things I did was put bookcases and tables around my chair with everything I could think of that I might need, so I wouldn't have to get up....water jugs, a jar of instant tea, coffee maker, books, meds, cd player, walker, snacks, small microwave. I knew that once I got to the chair I'd be there for hours, so I planned for that. And once I got up, I did whatever needed to be done like quick meals, feeding the cats etc. I had to break down everything I did into steps. And sometimes all the steps to something like, emptying the litter box, would take a couple days. I made a list of the things I wanted to do, needed to do, and broke it down over a week, and checked them off as I did them. And if I couldn't do it on the day planned for that, I'd move it to another day. The list gave me a sense of order and accomplishment. I put the chair by the picture window, and hung bird feeders so I could watch the birds, and the seasons. I spent hours each day listening to music with headphones, and listened to the radio, to help make time pass. This was before I had a computer, or cable and there's only one fuzzy free tv station out here in the sticks, so the days were long...especially if I didn't feel good enough to read. I also journaled, just wrote down everything that was running through my mind for 10 minutes or so. What this forced me to do, was learn how to just be in the moment. I had a small fish tank, and it may sound funny, but fish can be lots of company, lol. I had get rid of the fish when I could no longer clean the tank. I also had water colors and brushes near my chair and played around with those. I also got one of those memory foam mattress pads and that really helped with the pain at night. I made my own shoes from a pair of those elastic water shoes, with foam shock absorbers and gel insoles. These really helped my back and foot pain. I padded my recliner with a piece of foam mattress pad. I also put throw rugs on the kitchen floor because walking on tile was so painful. I should have had a wheelchair, but my medical care at the time was woefully inadequate. I hope some of this is helpful. Maureen > > I have to ask....What does everybody do all day when you can't do > anything. The chronic pain and not sleeping at night is really wearing > on me. When I do sleep it is usually between 3am to 8am then I will > get up but because of the pain I will be on the couch by 9 or 9:30. > Then it is up and down all day. There have been some days when I am on > the couch all day. I want to get up do things but I can't handle the > pain. > > I had a car accident and broke 32 bones in my back. My worst pain is > in the upper back, T4-T7 are pushing on the spinal cord. No surgery > without putting me in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. They say > my back will collapse and then I will be in the chair but I want to > walk as long as possible. It's like my upper back will not hold my > upper body up even with the braces on. > > junediann > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Two b sailing How are you doing now? Marsha Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Re: What does everyone do....................... Hi Junediann, and group. This is my first post. There were several years when I lived my life in a recliner. I live alone, so I had to do for myself. One of the things I did was put bookcases and tables around my chair with everything I could think of that I might need, so I wouldn't have to get up....water jugs, a jar of instant tea, coffee maker, books, meds, cd player, walker, snacks, small microwave. I knew that once I got to the chair I'd be there for hours, so I planned for that. And once I got up, I did whatever needed to be done like quick meals, feeding the cats etc. I had to break down everything I did into steps. And sometimes all the steps to something like, emptying the litter box, would take a couple days. I made a list of the things I wanted to do, needed to do, and broke it down over a week, and checked them off as I did them. And if I couldn't do it on the day planned for that, I'd move it to another day. The list gave me a sense of order and accomplishment. I put the chair by the picture window, and hung bird feeders so I could watch the birds, and the seasons. I spent hours each day listening to music with headphones, and listened to the radio, to help make time pass. This was before I had a computer, or cable and there's only one fuzzy free tv station out here in the sticks, so the days were long...especially if I didn't feel good enough to read. I also journaled, just wrote down everything that was running through my mind for 10 minutes or so. What this forced me to do, was learn how to just be in the moment. I had a small fish tank, and it may sound funny, but fish can be lots of company, lol. I had get rid of the fish when I could no longer clean the tank. I also had water colors and brushes near my chair and played around with those. I also got one of those memory foam mattress pads and that really helped with the pain at night. I made my own shoes from a pair of those elastic water shoes, with foam shock absorbers and gel insoles. These really helped my back and foot pain. I padded my recliner with a piece of foam mattress pad. I also put throw rugs on the kitchen floor because walking on tile was so painful. I should have had a wheelchair, but my medical care at the time was woefully inadequate. I hope some of this is helpful. Maureen > > I have to ask....What does everybody do all day when you can't do > anything. The chronic pain and not sleeping at night is really wearing > on me. When I do sleep it is usually between 3am to 8am then I will > get up but because of the pain I will be on the couch by 9 or 9:30. > Then it is up and down all day. There have been some days when I am on > the couch all day. I want to get up do things but I can't handle the > pain. > > I had a car accident and broke 32 bones in my back. My worst pain is > in the upper back, T4-T7 are pushing on the spinal cord. No surgery > without putting me in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. They say > my back will collapse and then I will be in the chair but I want to > walk as long as possible. It's like my upper back will not hold my > upper body up even with the braces on. > > junediann > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Cat, Yes, I live in Kimball. Small world isn't it. Mine is the right hip also and mine feels like it pops out also and then I can't move it at all. Oh the pain...... June > > June, S > So you must be somewhere near Kimball County then... I have in laws in Kimball County.... Its beautiful out there ... we went there one yr on vacation... > I will probably have to have hip replacement on my right hip sometime in the future all the women on my dad's side have bad right hips... never thought something like that would be genetic...but mines been feeling likes its been popping in and out of socket for about 10 yrs now... just nowadays I can't even walk for 10 minutes down the road to my bank or to the library without being in excruciating pain ... > Take Care and God Bless > Angel Hugs > Cat > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. > Answers - Check it out. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Cat, Yes, I live in Kimball. Small world isn't it. Mine is the right hip also and mine feels like it pops out also and then I can't move it at all. Oh the pain...... June > > June, S > So you must be somewhere near Kimball County then... I have in laws in Kimball County.... Its beautiful out there ... we went there one yr on vacation... > I will probably have to have hip replacement on my right hip sometime in the future all the women on my dad's side have bad right hips... never thought something like that would be genetic...but mines been feeling likes its been popping in and out of socket for about 10 yrs now... just nowadays I can't even walk for 10 minutes down the road to my bank or to the library without being in excruciating pain ... > Take Care and God Bless > Angel Hugs > Cat > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. > Answers - Check it out. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 I feel your pain June and dont like it much either... You take care of yourself luv... I will keep you in my prayers Take Care God Bless Angel Hugs Cat --------------------------------- Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 I feel your pain June and dont like it much either... You take care of yourself luv... I will keep you in my prayers Take Care God Bless Angel Hugs Cat --------------------------------- Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 Cat, I have had Fibromyalgia diagnosed since 1994 and what you describe sounds about right, especially the memory. When my pain is under control, I function much better even if I'm on heavy meds. Good luck on your Rheumatologist visit. Mine didn't do much for the Fibromyalgia, he mostly looked after my Sjogren's Syndrome. My Internist did most of the treating and was wonderful as we learned together. My old Rheumy quit, so I have an appointment with a new one in July, so I am hopeful that he will be better. In April I had an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion C5-6 and C6-7, since I had stenosis and a herniated and bulging disc. I still have my brace on and hope to get it off next Monday if fusing is going as planned. Then we will see about the rest of my back and the rest of my body. I've been waiting until I get the brace off to have a crown done on a back tooth, double trigger finger surgery, and steroid injections in my feet. I consider myself healthy with a lot of Challenges. Love, Pat > > Yes they have done a coupple of mri's in the neck thats where they found 2 herniated discs and did surgery for that and in my right shoulder where they found a worn rotator and did surgery there but all the pain I had before both surgeries is still there.... I have done tons of research even gone to webmd and everything points to fibromyalgia or RA or Both together I even did a test one time online that I had found to see if it was fibro I thought I did it @ webmd but I went back there and didnt find it but the results came back as possible fibromyalgia.... looks like I have to wait until I see a rheumotologist to know whats up I hope and pray he has the answers...... > is it just me or does anyone else here feel that the more pain youre in the worse your memory is? that what it seems like to me atleast..... Like just a couple weeks ago my neurologist put me on morphine for pain management..... before that my memory was very poor but after going on it and the pain decreased my memory got better.... and on days I feel lots of pain my memory goes poor again.... I dont know was just wondering if anyone else was like this > take care and God Bless > Angel Hugs > Cat > > > --------------------------------- > Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and > always stay connected to friends. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 Cat, I have had Fibromyalgia diagnosed since 1994 and what you describe sounds about right, especially the memory. When my pain is under control, I function much better even if I'm on heavy meds. Good luck on your Rheumatologist visit. Mine didn't do much for the Fibromyalgia, he mostly looked after my Sjogren's Syndrome. My Internist did most of the treating and was wonderful as we learned together. My old Rheumy quit, so I have an appointment with a new one in July, so I am hopeful that he will be better. In April I had an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion C5-6 and C6-7, since I had stenosis and a herniated and bulging disc. I still have my brace on and hope to get it off next Monday if fusing is going as planned. Then we will see about the rest of my back and the rest of my body. I've been waiting until I get the brace off to have a crown done on a back tooth, double trigger finger surgery, and steroid injections in my feet. I consider myself healthy with a lot of Challenges. Love, Pat > > Yes they have done a coupple of mri's in the neck thats where they found 2 herniated discs and did surgery for that and in my right shoulder where they found a worn rotator and did surgery there but all the pain I had before both surgeries is still there.... I have done tons of research even gone to webmd and everything points to fibromyalgia or RA or Both together I even did a test one time online that I had found to see if it was fibro I thought I did it @ webmd but I went back there and didnt find it but the results came back as possible fibromyalgia.... looks like I have to wait until I see a rheumotologist to know whats up I hope and pray he has the answers...... > is it just me or does anyone else here feel that the more pain youre in the worse your memory is? that what it seems like to me atleast..... Like just a couple weeks ago my neurologist put me on morphine for pain management..... before that my memory was very poor but after going on it and the pain decreased my memory got better.... and on days I feel lots of pain my memory goes poor again.... I dont know was just wondering if anyone else was like this > take care and God Bless > Angel Hugs > Cat > > > --------------------------------- > Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and > always stay connected to friends. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Hi Pat, Wow I am glad you are so positive about it all. I am hoping after it is finally diagnosed I am too. Which doctor found the fibro? Good luck today I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Angel Hugs Cat --------------------------------- Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Hi Pat, Wow I am glad you are so positive about it all. I am hoping after it is finally diagnosed I am too. Which doctor found the fibro? Good luck today I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Angel Hugs Cat --------------------------------- Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Pat, i love that " healthy with a lot of challenges " . Marsha Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Re: What does everyone do....................... Cat, I have had Fibromyalgia diagnosed since 1994 and what you describe sounds about right, especially the memory. When my pain is under control, I function much better even if I'm on heavy meds. Good luck on your Rheumatologist visit. Mine didn't do much for the Fibromyalgia, he mostly looked after my Sjogren's Syndrome. My Internist did most of the treating and was wonderful as we learned together. My old Rheumy quit, so I have an appointment with a new one in July, so I am hopeful that he will be better. In April I had an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion C5-6 and C6-7, since I had stenosis and a herniated and bulging disc. I still have my brace on and hope to get it off next Monday if fusing is going as planned. Then we will see about the rest of my back and the rest of my body. I've been waiting until I get the brace off to have a crown done on a back tooth, double trigger finger surgery, and steroid injections in my feet. I consider myself healthy with a lot of Challenges. Love, Pat > > Yes they have done a coupple of mri's in the neck thats where they found 2 herniated discs and did surgery for that and in my right shoulder where they found a worn rotator and did surgery there but all the pain I had before both surgeries is still there.... I have done tons of research even gone to webmd and everything points to fibromyalgia or RA or Both together I even did a test one time online that I had found to see if it was fibro I thought I did it @ webmd but I went back there and didnt find it but the results came back as possible fibromyalgia.... looks like I have to wait until I see a rheumotologist to know whats up I hope and pray he has the answers...... > is it just me or does anyone else here feel that the more pain youre in the worse your memory is? that what it seems like to me atleast..... Like just a couple weeks ago my neurologist put me on morphine for pain management..... before that my memory was very poor but after going on it and the pain decreased my memory got better.... and on days I feel lots of pain my memory goes poor again.... I dont know was just wondering if anyone else was like this > take care and God Bless > Angel Hugs > Cat > > > --------------------------------- > Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and > always stay connected to friends. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Pat, i love that " healthy with a lot of challenges " . Marsha Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Re: What does everyone do....................... Cat, I have had Fibromyalgia diagnosed since 1994 and what you describe sounds about right, especially the memory. When my pain is under control, I function much better even if I'm on heavy meds. Good luck on your Rheumatologist visit. Mine didn't do much for the Fibromyalgia, he mostly looked after my Sjogren's Syndrome. My Internist did most of the treating and was wonderful as we learned together. My old Rheumy quit, so I have an appointment with a new one in July, so I am hopeful that he will be better. In April I had an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion C5-6 and C6-7, since I had stenosis and a herniated and bulging disc. I still have my brace on and hope to get it off next Monday if fusing is going as planned. Then we will see about the rest of my back and the rest of my body. I've been waiting until I get the brace off to have a crown done on a back tooth, double trigger finger surgery, and steroid injections in my feet. I consider myself healthy with a lot of Challenges. Love, Pat > > Yes they have done a coupple of mri's in the neck thats where they found 2 herniated discs and did surgery for that and in my right shoulder where they found a worn rotator and did surgery there but all the pain I had before both surgeries is still there.... I have done tons of research even gone to webmd and everything points to fibromyalgia or RA or Both together I even did a test one time online that I had found to see if it was fibro I thought I did it @ webmd but I went back there and didnt find it but the results came back as possible fibromyalgia.... looks like I have to wait until I see a rheumotologist to know whats up I hope and pray he has the answers...... > is it just me or does anyone else here feel that the more pain youre in the worse your memory is? that what it seems like to me atleast..... Like just a couple weeks ago my neurologist put me on morphine for pain management..... before that my memory was very poor but after going on it and the pain decreased my memory got better.... and on days I feel lots of pain my memory goes poor again.... I dont know was just wondering if anyone else was like this > take care and God Bless > Angel Hugs > Cat > > > --------------------------------- > Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and > always stay connected to friends. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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