Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis...........house falling down around us!!

ShelBell

LoopyLinz wrote: »

Wow again thank you for the very practical advice, chopping/prepping whilst sitting down would never had entered my head.

Another probably totally stupid question on my part but can you freeze mash potatoes?? Do they not get really wattery when you defrost them?

xoxoxox

Yup, I freeze mine in freezer bags and just pop them out into a microwaveable bowl, cover with clingfilm and zap. doesn't get watery at all.

LameWolf

Hi Linz

Is your OH supportive? Make sure he knows how to drive all the household equipment, hoover, WM, DW if you have one, as well as the iron. Maybe try doing some of the chores together? That's what Mr LW and I do, and we have a good laugh at the same time.:p

Take your time over tasks, and pace yourself - don't do like I do and go at it like a bull at a gate when you have a good day.:o

I find wrist straps like some athletes use are helpful - but it depends exactly which of your joints are bad. Your rheumatologist should be able to advise.

And if you find a gadget that'll make life easier, save up and get it!

pinknfluffy

You can try social services, they changed my taps to lever ones for me, also apply for disability living allowance and blue badges too make life easier. I order nearly everything i need online to save hurting my hands and all household appliances are the lightest we could find.

Good luck try not to let it get you down

LoopyLinz

LameWolf wrote: »

Hi Linz

Is your OH supportive? Make sure he knows how to drive all the household equipment, hoover, WM, DW if you have one, as well as the iron. Maybe try doing some of the chores together? That's what Mr LW and I do, and we have a good laugh at the same time.:p

Take your time over tasks, and pace yourself - don't do like I do and go at it like a bull at a gate when you have a good day.:o

I find wrist straps like some athletes use are helpful - but it depends exactly which of your joints are bad. Your rheumatologist should be able to advise.

And if you find a gadget that'll make life easier, save up and get it!

My DH is a little too supportive! If thats possible, at the minute he will let me do very little which is really annoying me! The only thing he really cant do is iron, bless him. He tries but he is just hopeless! Irons more wrinkles into things! Think it might just take a little while to reach a balance!

Had that problem yesterday, wasnt feeling too bad so tried to make dinner and iron at the same time which resulted in me barely being able to hold my fork to actually eat it!

LoopyLinz

pinknfluffy wrote: »

You can try social services, they changed my taps to lever ones for me, also apply for disability living allowance and blue badges too make life easier. I order nearly everything i need online to save hurting my hands and all household appliances are the lightest we could find.

Good luck try not to let it get you down

Hi Pinknfluffy

Thank you for your reply, thankfully we got a new kitchen not too long ago so the taps are lever ones. Im not sure I would be entitled to claim anything as DH and I both work full time.

Was thinking that about the household appliances, think that is part of the problem with the iron............it weighs a ton!!

pinknfluffy

You're sooo lucky your oh is supportive some people run for the hills at the first mention of an illness (trust me i know, ex couldn't handle it). Me and my oh work full time but i get dla (i have a car on motablility) and have blue badges, they are not means tested and are really helpful in the quest for me to feel well.

ShelBell

Yup I get higher rate mobility and lower rate personal care on DLA and we both work. I use my mobility for the motability car. Have a blue badge too. Once you get all those sorted (pride stopped me for a few years) you will start finding other types of help; free bus pass, lower gas and electric from some companies; funding for insulation/draught proofing etc. Also most theme parks/zoo's etc do special rates for disabled and carer's, which we've used a few times Most want to see your blue badge as proof if you're not visibly disabled (I have a mobility scooter which helps!).

Social Services can help with appliances for the home to help you, so it's worth a call.

LameWolf

LoopyLinz wrote: »

My DH is a little too supportive! If thats possible, at the minute he will let me do very little which is really annoying me! The only thing he really cant do is iron, bless him. He tries but he is just hopeless! Irons more wrinkles into things! Think it might just take a little while to reach a balance!

Had that problem yesterday, wasnt feeling too bad so tried to make dinner and iron at the same time which resulted in me barely being able to hold my fork to actually eat it!

It takes time to adjust, for both of you. Be patient; I got my lupus diagnosis 5 days before we got married, and my first question was if Mr LW still wanted to go through with it. (He did, of course). He was a bit over-protective at first, I had to gently let him know that I still wanted to at least try to do things, and that I'd ask for his assistance if I needed it. Sounds like your OH is trying to do his best, time will help you both settle into what suits you. I think probably not doing two things at once is a good way to go though!:o Best of luck.

LoopyLinz

I really cant thank you all enough for all your wonderful support and advice. You really are the loveliest bunch of peeps!

Im beginning to take your advice, having a 'bad hand night' as we have re-named it so quite possibly for the first time ever I am sitting down and doing nothing even though there is lots that needs done around here! Have also decided that the word Arthritis freaks me out and makes me feel really old soooooooo DH has re-named it my Arthurs!! Bless him he really is trying!

Think my first port of call has got to be getting that referral pushed through to see a consultant. One day, and one thing at a time is what I am planning! Have an appointment with my own GP next week, would I look like a wally if I went in with my notebook of questions and DH?! Dont really want to go on my own as I can never remember what he has said when I come out again! lol!

Once again big big thank you for all your advice and support

Linz xoxox

amanda40

I too have RA - was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago when I was 36. I have two young kids and a great DH.

My Rheumatologist referred me to the Occupational Therapist for an assessment for daily living which proved invaluable! She went over joint protection techniques to preserve my joints so stop doing too much damage now - it covered all aspects, kitchen ( bathr00m - dont ask), - She supplied me with all sorts of gadgets, knifes, cutlery ( sharp so easier to cut food), veg basket to boil potatoes so you dont have to lift heavy pot - just loads and loads of helpful hints. They also fitted a handrail on my staircase. I had a bad flare last year and could not get up or down the stairs, so was given bathlift and put on list for grant for disability adaptation - They fitted an ensuite bathroom up stairs for me as our bathroom is downstairs. They have been so good and all so nice too.

My hubby and I both work although I only work 16hrs over 3 days now, but we didnt think we would qualify for anything but it is worth asking. Not sure I would be able to work any more than that now, as I do get tired out easily. DH does the ironing now, my mum chops any vegs in bulk and I freeze the in bags - ready to be added when cooking. If I have something planned for the weekend I take it easy before hand and after wards - dont plan too many things in a row. I wear fingerless gloves and have one of those beany cusions that I rest my hands on at night if I cant get them comfy. I wear furry boots and once my feet get cold they do get sore.

I am feeling good just now although it has taken a couple of years and lots of changes of medication, but a feeling the benefit now and seeing light at the end of the tunnell -

Keep your chin up and accept all the help you can get - I struggled to do things myself for a while but you just knock yourself back!