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| | | From: Hannah. (Original Message) | Sent: 6/4/2007 6:09 AM |
What are the tips and tricks you have learned to make life easier? Share your experience with others new to chronic pain. This is the page we have now, but I know there is a lot more that we can add. We had a great informative thread at one time, but it is buried somewhere I guess. Time for a new one! What are some tips and tricks you have learned to help you go about daily living? Share Cyndy had told me before about tieing a rope to the foot of the bed to hoist yourself, if you have problems sitting up without assistance. You can purchase various styles of this. Buy an extended reach grabber, great if you need to pick something up off the floor, or from up high. I even use it for transferring laundry from the washing machine into the dryer, then out of the dryer. Foot long shoe horn. Simple, yet so useful when you can't reach your feet. I bought several at the dollar store. Food chopper. For chopping veggies and such. I must say, mine isn't that great, but it is manual. I am going to pick up an electric one. Shower chair. If you have a plastic outside chair it will work, you can put some rubber foot caps on it so it won't slip. You should have a rubber mat in the tub anyways. Put a plstic bag on your car seat, so when you need to swival to get out, your behind glides easily! My husbands Aunt shared that, her nurse told her this tip when she had her hip replacement done. Safety grab bars. Beside the tub and toilet. Tennis balls for massage Yes, they make niftly little massagers. Put them underneath your back when in bed or sitting and just roll them around. Good for knots. Wheat husk neck pillow. I chill it in the freezer (In a plastic bag) then tuck it around my neck in bed. The coolness helps reduce inflamation and the husks mold to make a custom support for your neck. Gel bags for hot or cold. Small ones are only 2 dollars each, and are great for inflamation or stiffness. I wrap it in a dry facecloth and keep it closed with a painters tape. Use your countertop for cooking rather than your oven when possible. I bought a crock pot and George Foreman Grill for that reason. I learned you can even cook a roast in a crock pot. You may post links to products if you don't sell them yourself. I just came across this snow shovel on wheels, seems like a great idea. |
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OK I HAVE NOT READ ALL OF THIS YET BUT I PLAN TO TOMORROW BUT WHAT I COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT IS MUSIC WHEN MY PAIN LEVELS ARE AT THEIR HIGHEST THAT IS WHAT SAVES ME SUSIE |
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| | From:  AχPill | Sent: 6/9/2007 1:36 AM |
Hannah, I have been thinking about this topic ever since you posted...one thing the part where you stated "can't live without I laughed there are a lot of things I can't live with is: my meds, water, the Internet, cigarettes, my Lifetime lol(LMN) ha ha Really I can't seem to think of things that finds helpful like the others mentioned usually I call for Andrew or Chuck whoever is around Andrew is a big help if nobody is home I either wait until someone comes home other times I do whatever I can manage. The house is too small for me to have those mobile chairs we have small doorways and a step going to the bathroom I ought to have Chuck put a board to where it would be easier for me to walk not worrying about falling down the step our is a one floor house. A couple Summers ago, Chuck put railings to get me up and down the steps I have the worse phobia of falling with my experience that I have had in the past few months. Yeah Chuck needs to fix the walk outside there are areas that are loose expecially the last piece of wood, he said that she is going to get into it, but do it differently this time I do want him to put railing around the walk. Ha two years ago I fell in the grass I yelled for Chuck the grass was so wet to where there was no way I could not get up at all I even tried to lean my right elbow to support my left elbow no luck at all, so Chuck saw me there he told me to use his hand I warned him my hand was real wet he got a grip of my hand an pulled me up...he is strong thank God for Chuck. I know there are a bit of things I can't do is bend over or sit on the floor I am stuck ha ha I get lightheaded my therapist asked me if I get light-headed I said sometimes not like I used to and the falling spells I think it subsided. Thanks for posting this its a good idea. Andrea |
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Geeze, Jen...guess I would fail that test...lol. I have a hard time getting out of any chair...without using my hands to help push me up. That's probably how I tore my TFC...and need surgery now. I know I prefer sitting in a chair that has arms on it....or at least a firm, large chair. Dan: I have that DeLonghi toaster oven...and they are the best one going. We went through more dang toaster ovens...and then finally bought the DeLonghi. What a difference it made...and it sure beat any of the other ones...hands down! It certainly was worth the $$$$. We wasted more money on buying other brands...this one is a real gem! I cannot function with my double wall oven. I cannot use a free standing oven....it's much too low for me...and bending over causes more back pain. I used it a few times when I was living with my daughter...and was SO happy to be in our own home...with our double wall oven!!! What a difference it makes! I've hardly ever used the bottom one....do use it for keeping things warm...or when I'm baking cookies for the holidays...but that's the only times. And the good thing is that both are self cleaning...although I've never cleaned the bottom one....yet...it's still clean!!! Dee |
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| | | From: Hannah. | Sent: 6/11/2007 6:37 AM |
Yes Andrea, I need my internet and my library and my music, but I guess they don't count either ha ha. Although this site is part of the internet, and it is something I have got a lot of help from. It is good to have a place where we can complain without people thinking what a drag we are. |
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| | | From: AχPill | Sent: 6/11/2007 1:53 PM |
Hi Jen good morning , on your post number #8 you for clarify everything. I'm more and more understanding the AVM I get more information from Mayoclinic.com its more imformative. You ought to feel prividged that I'll share what the AVM caused/affected it left me have speech problems I can't pronouce certain words sometimes like the small words, it affected me not feeling the same way on my right side of my right hand and foot as I do with my left side, my right hand is clamped shut it doesn't open much very little I can't pick things up at all if I would hold onto a piece of paper I'd drop it, I sometime crack my hand by using my left hand (not supposed to crack your knuckles anyway just a habit.) I don't have any problems getting dressed, taking a shower/bath, I can usually tie my shoes but sometimes my right hand gets stubborn lol so I have Chuck help me. I have told my psych this when I wake up I shake all over before I take my Xanax XR it kicks in 30 mins, I told him that it helps my nervous system - I start to limp real bad, not talk right I start to stutter, can't see right vision is shaky. He said, "Really?" he hadn't never encountered this his with any of his clients or they never mentioned to him afraid that his psychiatrist will see the signs that they are addicted, however there is a difference between addicted and dependent - I depend on my Xanax XR - XR is extended released anxiety medication, believe me I know narcotics ha ha lol no really I know a lot about many medication I'm a walking pharmacy ; ) Well, I wish I can write more my ride is on the way to PT ... and darn it this shakiness is acting up again every single time I have to go somewhere I start to shake only my legs it just started this past week hmmm I'll ttyl -Andrea |
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| | | From: AχPill | Sent: 6/11/2007 10:58 PM |
Wow this is a long lasting thread lol. Jen, I didn't have the time to read all the posts that was addressed to me first of all, I must tell you and as well as the others I am sensitive the way people in general speaking, I don't take things lightly the way people approach me very well - make sense I hope so I'm tired lol...I wish I could talk to you all on the phone its better that way hey we have Vonage we have free long distance call anyone in the United States, Canada, check out the web site www.vonage.com its worth it. About my modibilty you hit right on the nail. Ok, I don't use a cane, walker nor wheelchair to get around I didn't even use anything when I came home from the hospital I was in the hospital from Sept 26th - Oct 7th, 1988 I slipped into a coma until that Thursday this happen on a Sunday early 26th. Mom & Dad told me as the months went on I wanted to know what happen to me, it took a big impact on me for many years, to be honest you are the first person that have went in deep detail on the Internet, really nobody asked me what a AVM is, really took an interest in my experience, oh Jen you are very dear to me it brings tears to my eyes. I remember that xmas day sitting on my Dad's lap I was so unhappy depressed I have a picture of me sitting on dad's lap I was wearing a red long sleeve shirt and black pants more less sweats but dressy. There was another picture of me sitting on the floor opening a present it was a small object I remember vagily having a hard time opening it but I was determined to open it <laughing> like I always am, determined. What you mentioned which is what my therapist told me about my right leg and hand we worked on my right side today I told him that I have been hurting ever since last week, {first time in the pool} I took my time this time doing my daily routine exercises, I think I did it too fast before. I focused on spots that was tender. He had me sit in the chair that is in the pool he stretched my legs easy it hurt it loosen up the more he worked on my right leg first, he worked his way up - took my right foot he tried to straighten up my foot and leg shook (like it always does) he kept on working with it in places that I had never touched or thought of he told me to relax completely he said that because I told him that I have a tendency to tighten up all over always on my left side of my body. I told him of the other places that is hurting my left hand I have arthirist not surprising I told him my elbow, wrist hurt he told me to go to this thing that water comes out pressure, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, I can't think of the name of it it's driving me nuts grr its in the tip of my tongue, doesn't that drive you up the wall when that happens? When I was having the water beat on my back anywhere I wanted it, I paid attention the areas that hurt the most, so when I went to get the electroncial heating therapy I could point out the areas that need massaged the pain was/is more on my left side of my body. The treatment lasts for 20 minutes it's not long enough lol the last time I fell asleep and started to snore lol now I never fall asleep anywhere other than our bed so that's a switch lol it must be old age lmbo shoot my mom falls asleep in the car when she takes me to my appts she says her prayers and naps.
You wrote: cererbral vascular - that is mentioned in the documentation that I had and was a brain trauma you are aware of my situation mine was a cerebral aneurysm. Now the AVM (abnormal blood vessel) was very close to the center of my brain and would have caused brain damage a complete paralysis, as you already know. I probably mentioned this before the left side controls the right side and the right side takes care of the left, so it affects my right side and left me partially paralyzed. Speaking of which in one of the pictures that I have in the photo album I was sitting in a chair in the hopsital my left eye is black, why is that? Is it caused of the damage? Have you ever heard of a Gamma Knife (surgery w/o a knife)? I had 2 of them done - in 1988 the AVM was a size of a golf ball, in 1989 my first Gamma Knife surgery/radiation I don't know off hand what you would consider what it is. The second treatment was in 1992 it was a success it shrunk down to a size of a raisin then as time went on the AVM was completely gone!!! Wonderful news. This was done in Pittsburgh Children's Hospital at the time there was only 2 states that had the Gamma Knife which is Pittsburgh and Canada. I'll finish answering your questions...Jen I want to thank you so much for giving me your expertise. I apologize for questioning your ability. I hope you accept. Talk to you soon |
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| | | From: Dan | Sent: 6/11/2007 11:20 PM |
Yeah, who ever heard of a DeLonghi? But there you go! Best toaster oven there is. Andrea, I'm sure there's something in there I should comment on. But there's just so much, I get lost. LOL Oh, I remember. can you describe where you "shake all over"? Are they like spasms? Or is it more like being shakey, as if you have a palsey? That is, your hands and arms shake, and perhaps your head and neck nod up and down. Hugs and lots of love, Dan |
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| | | From: Jen, PT | Sent: 6/12/2007 1:04 AM |
Dan, When Andrea mentioned the shaking, clonus was the first thing that came to my mind. I don't think she has a seizure disorder. Clonus is more likely with brain injury, especially in the gastrocnemius muscle...causing the ankle to go up and down rapidly. There is sustained clonus, which will continue until your foot is rested back down on a stable surface. Or you could count the clonus by the number of beats, such as 2 beat clonus, which will tap twice, and stop on its own. Andrea, sorry for the typo...its cerebral vascular, not cererbral. Oops. You are very lucky to get physical therapy in a place that has a pool. It is certainly a luxury. What some therapy places do is have "connections" with the community pool, and rent it out for a little while for their patients. Yes, I have heard briefly of the gamma knife, but not a lot of detail. "my elbow, wrist hurt he told me to go to this thing that water comes out pressure, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about," Andrea, are you describing a water jet, like in a hot tub or whirlpool? That's the only thing I could think of. Therapy has a tendency to be painful, but stick with it! All the best,
Jen, SPT |
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