An elderly friend of mine has arthritis in her hands so bad that she can no longer put hair spray on. Her fingers are so weak and twisted that she can't push the nozzle down. In the paint section at Walmart, I ran across a pistol grip that is used for spray paint. It is so much easier than that little push nozzle! It just slips onto the can of paint.
I have osteoarthritis in my right ankle and was wondering if anyone can recommend the best pain medication for it. I did have the opioids based medication, but stopped taking them as they were making me ill.
Please talk to you doctor about this vs. asking for help from strangers. I beg of you!! I would hate to tell you what works for me--like an over the counter thing or some other concoction or such and, you try it and get ill, or hurt, or G-d forbid, die from it. OMG, that would be horrible.
Everyone is different and has different co-morbid conditions, allergies, and situations, what works for me, may kill you and vice versa.
Medical stuff is best left to the professionals. I say this with all respect and kindness to protect you from harm!
If you can't afford to go to the doctor, which I know plagues many of us, there are free clinics out there. If you have insurance it can help with costs also.
If you have insurance and can't afford the copays, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask for help finding a free clinic or see if there are free care funds you can tap into or see if they have a nurse line that may be able to help where you call and ask your question for free and they can guide you. Those lines are staffed by RNs/LPNs who know the right questions to ask.
Sending up lots of healing thoughts and prayers for you. Arthritis is so painful!! I hope you find your best solution soon!!
I am looking for remedies, for painful arthritis, in my hip.
By Sharon
I have arthritis in my feet and knees. I have had good luck with Chondroiten sulfate and glucosamine. I also use MSM. These take awhile to take effect. I quit working when they started talking about knee replacement, and my knees have improved a lot, but that has taken a year. No more talk of surgery. My potassium levels get low and I get more achey than usual. Taking a potassium supplement fixes that.
My fingertips get a tingling sensation from arthritis in two of my fingers on one hand. Others who have arthritis in their fingers tell me they have this same tingling in their fingertips. The arm on this same side continues to itch. If it continues on I will go see my doctor. But I'm wondering if any of my ThriftyFun friends have itching on their arm along with the tingling. I don't have a rash, but the itching is driving me crazy and it's only on the one arm. I have no other health issues and take no prescription drugs.
By Betty
I am not a doctor, nor an expert, but it sounds like it could be a type of neuropathy. Many people get that in their legs, a 'creepy crawly' feeling, tingling, burning, etc.
My Mum is in her 50s and has arthritis. She has limited neck movement and has arthritis in her hands, legs, and feet. She can still walk though.
By H from UK
I would love to email your mother. I am in my 50's and am having major problems with arthritis too. I've had one knee replaced, other needs doing, shoulders are now affected too.
I have aches and pains here and there with arthritis. Do those Icy Hot sticky rolls work, or is there another product that is better?
By ann from Ontario
I have never used any but you can find info online, search for-"Icy hot products" - good luck.
I have arthritis in my knee and I have tried everything I can think of to alleviate the pain, i.e., exercise, Advil, Motrin, prescribed pain medication, knee brace and creams. Please let me know what others have tried and been successful at. Thank you.
Have you talked to your doctor about having a knee arthroscopy?
The surgeon can scrape the bone and take off some of the damaged areas.
It's worth asking if your doctor feels it may relieve some of your pain.
I am nearly 65 years old and have a lot of arthritis throughout my body. I have a very hard time bending down or lifting anything that is even slightly heavy. My question is: Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can better organize my kitchen in order to lessen the amount of bending and lifting I do? I really love to cook, but it has become a real chore,
First of all, you need to make a list of the things you use most frequently. Chances are, it is a few pots/pans, utensils, and dishes/glasses. Look at the storage space you have. How can you put these things so they'll be most accessible for you? Don't be hesitant to be unconventional.
For instance, my dishes are in a bottom cupboard. My reason for that was that I wanted my children to set the table and unload the dishwasher; and putting the dishes down below made it easier for them to do these tasks independently. Think "outside the box", as they say.
It might be easier for you to keep the saucepans you use most on the first shelf at eye level. (Or even leave them on the stove.) Keep the cooking utensils in a drawer close to the stove. Put seldom used items above and below (or better yet, put them in a box and store them--the less clutter, the easier to maintain organization.) You don't have to get rid of them, but if you're only using things once or twice a year, you don't need them in the kitchen.
As much as possible, use lightweight items--especially the cooking pans, etc. Put the cast iron away for when you have helpers around. It is easier to use several smaller, lighter baking dishes than one great big one.
If you have a utility cart, use it to carry things for you! If you don't have one, watch the garage sales or thrift stores for one. Use it to move groceries to the pantry, casseroles to the table, etc. (It is also good for things like carrying laundry baskets, cleaning supplies, etc.)
Here is something that has always amazed me that people have to be told....but....sit to work whenever possible! If you are peeling potatoes or slicing vegetables, sit at the table. Bring a tall stool into the kitchen and use it whenever possible! (Like sitting at the stove, or the sink.) Move baking operations to the table, as well.
Keep a good pair of kitchen shears handy. Use them to open bags and boxes and to cut chicken apart, etc.
Use labor-saving appliances if you have them! Put them on the counter where they will be easily accessible.
Keep a dishpan of soapy water in your sink when you are cooking. Use it to immediately wash things like knives, whisks, graters, measuring cups and so on before the food dries on them--you will lighten your load later.
If you have a pantry; put the heavy stuff on shelves that allow you to do very little lifting to get them onto your utility cart. While it isn't as thrifty, buy things in smaller containers, or get someone to help you bring in the bigger containers of ingredients, then transfer them to smaller containers for storage.
Plan your cooking sessions. Look at how you do things. Just because you have always done things in a certain order, doesn't mean it is the only right way to do them. If you take medication for your arthritis, plan your heaviest chores for when the medicine is at its most effective.
Call your local agency that helps the aging, and ask them if they have publications that may be helpful to you. They may even have someone to come out to your home to help you reorganize. I am an occupational therapist; and this is one of the things we look at in helping people stay as independent as possible.
If you have specific problem areas, please post--this forum is a great way to get ideas that might work for you!
Has anyone got any comfort ideas for arthritic joints? Avoiding morning stiffness? Exercises? Most days I feel like the tin man.
Thanks!
Elizabeth from Ossining, New York
Several suggestions, depending on which joints are affected.
Before going to bed, take a pain reliever. I use Aleve.
1. Before you get out of bed, extend legs, point and flex feet and rotate ankles in both directions. Do 10 times. Then bend kneees as close to chest as your body allows, then extend legs out straight. This helps knees/ankles. Do 10 times.
2. Sit on edge of bed,extend arms, and rotate shoulders 10 times in each direction.
3. Squeeze hands into tight fists, then spread open 10 times.
4. Take a hot shower.
These things help my shoulders, hands, knees, and ankles, the parts of my body that are stiff with osteoarthritis. There does not seem to be a way to avoid A.M. stiffness, but this routine lessens it, and helps me to move better.
I hope this will be helpful to you.
Tips for dealing with arthritis pain. Post your ideas.
It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
By Diana
I am a Grandmother of 74 years. I use a rub on Jel [lotion] on my hands and knees. I buy it on the internet at www.aloetherapy.com and I love it. It does work for the pain and discomfort. It only takes a small amount. The bottle has lasted for months and still not empty and I use it almost every day. I could not live without it. jmouse
