1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles
Moderator

Living with arthritis: How do you stay active?

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Mar 9, 2020

Let's talk about trying to stay active while living with arthritis. More than 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis and it is the No. 1 cause of disability in the country. Arthritis can be painful and debilitating, preventing many who have it from being active or doing the things they once enjoyed. The changes in physical capabilities can also have an effect on mental health as well. If you have arthritis, what sort of activities have you had to give up and how has that affected you? Have you found ways to adapt your activities or found new ones?

Let's start by introducing ourselves.

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lioness | @lioness | Jul 8, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa just did hand exercise resting now those are tough Several fingers of both..." + (show)
@lioness

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa just did hand exercise resting now those are tough
Several fingers of both hands hopefully will get better

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@hopeful33250 Just did 2nd day they are great exercises both the Tai Chi and hand exercises on you tube . Thanks

REPLY
ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @suz55 I've used Tai Chi for arthritis and Parkinson's stiffness. Tai Chi (unlike Yoga) can..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @suz55

I've used Tai Chi for arthritis and Parkinson's stiffness. Tai Chi (unlike Yoga) can be done sitting or standing without floor work which is great if you deal with stiffness and pain in your knees, back and hips. The movements used in Tai Chi are very gentle and smooth. One of our members posted a Youtube video which was most helpful to use first thing in the morning. It is only 9 minutes long but helps with the early morning stiffness quite nicely. Here is the link to that video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxcNBejxlzs

There is another exercise that is very good for the hands. It was developed for Parkinson's patients, but could probably be used by anyone with hand difficulties. Her is the link to that video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez2GeaMa4c8

I look forward to hearing how your appointment goes with a rheumatologist. Will you post again?

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@suz55 Thank you for posting this. I had cmc thumb surgery in January and trigger thumb surgery In June. This one gave my thumb a better workout than other videos I have watched. I still have trouble writing and with my grip. I want to get back to crocheting. This may help me get there.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "@suz55 Thank you for posting this. I had cmc thumb surgery in January and trigger thumb..." + (show)
@fourof5zs

@suz55 Thank you for posting this. I had cmc thumb surgery in January and trigger thumb surgery In June. This one gave my thumb a better workout than other videos I have watched. I still have trouble writing and with my grip. I want to get back to crocheting. This may help me get there.

Jump to this post

I'm so glad that you found it helpful, @fourof5zs. I hope you are able to get back a stronger grip so that you can crochet and write easier.

What type of problem do you have with writing? Is it just a grip problem or does your writing look small?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "Good morning - We just had a gathering of 6 lifelong friends last evening, and naturally..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Good morning - We just had a gathering of 6 lifelong friends last evening, and naturally talk turned to health for a while as we are all of "a certain age" - all of us have some degree of arthritis - several have both osteo- and rheumatoid types, some for 30 years or more. But you couldn't find a greater example of living well with a chronic condition - I truly believe staying active, positive and connected to others is the key.

I know it has been dreadfully difficult these last months, and the temptation to just curl up on the sofa or in bed can be overwhelming, but the key is what we CAN do, not what we cannot.

For example, one friend moved the discussion back to "positive" last night by pulling out a deck of "story" cards and to get us talking about not only memories, but also all the things we still wish to do...
And for many years, we gathered weekly in fall and winter to play wallyball, quite a strenuous sport, for 2 hours, then to socialize. Those days are long gone, but my other friend is very clever at organizing silly games that get us laughing, and until Covid we still exercised our competitive genes with monthly card games around someone's dining room table.

NOw I must get out for my (abbreviated) morning walk between thunderstorms.
Sue

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I do agree with movement and exercise, @sueinmn. Movement, in any form, is the best medicine!

REPLY
ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I'm so glad that you found it helpful, @fourof5zs. I hope you are able to get..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I'm so glad that you found it helpful, @fourof5zs. I hope you are able to get back a stronger grip so that you can crochet and write easier.

What type of problem do you have with writing? Is it just a grip problem or does your writing look small?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250

It is grip strength. .. and painful to hold a pen or pencil for long. We made cloth mask and my husband did all the cutting. He had trouble understanding how I needed everything placed together. That was a bit painful lining the fronts, backs and interfacing together. The pinching motion the worst. The sewing itself with the machine was only difficult in turning the hand wheel to get started.

I am back to doing most of my chores. We hand wash dishes.. no place for a a dishwasher without losing much needed cabinet space... and I can wash them when there is nothing heavy. The turning of the dishes to wash and rinse makes my hand achy.. but the warm water feels good to my hand. My husband isn't good about checking pockets before placing clothes in the hamper. I find it a bit hard searching the pockets.. my hand either has to do the searching or the holding. It is getting easier, but as always healing is too slow for me. I get too impatient.

I think the Tai Chi exercises will help me keep my balance. I work a little on balance with various little exercises (some which are in the video.. didn't know I knew how to do any Tai Chi 😁) when I take the dog out.. but know I need to work more on it. My neighbors probably think I look quite silly doing those exercises.. and I don't care. The dog used to give me “what are you doing looks”. Now he thinks his sister is just crazy. He is my mom's dog. She is 92 and in a nursing home.. Ziggy (mini poodle) will be 10 in September. They miss each other. The phone just isn't the same as visits. I love my little furry brother.

REPLY
2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Jul 9, 2020

@fourof5zs @hopeful33250 told me about the Tai Chi and I,ve been doing them ever since . Started out with only 5 min. then increased up to 20 it is good for balance which I need also . Then the hand exercise on u tube are great she told me about . Just one day and the flexibility is much better and pain.So please look them up and do them at your pace .

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "@hopeful33250 It is grip strength. .. and painful to hold a pen or pencil for long...." + (show)
@fourof5zs

@hopeful33250

It is grip strength. .. and painful to hold a pen or pencil for long. We made cloth mask and my husband did all the cutting. He had trouble understanding how I needed everything placed together. That was a bit painful lining the fronts, backs and interfacing together. The pinching motion the worst. The sewing itself with the machine was only difficult in turning the hand wheel to get started.

I am back to doing most of my chores. We hand wash dishes.. no place for a a dishwasher without losing much needed cabinet space... and I can wash them when there is nothing heavy. The turning of the dishes to wash and rinse makes my hand achy.. but the warm water feels good to my hand. My husband isn't good about checking pockets before placing clothes in the hamper. I find it a bit hard searching the pockets.. my hand either has to do the searching or the holding. It is getting easier, but as always healing is too slow for me. I get too impatient.

I think the Tai Chi exercises will help me keep my balance. I work a little on balance with various little exercises (some which are in the video.. didn't know I knew how to do any Tai Chi 😁) when I take the dog out.. but know I need to work more on it. My neighbors probably think I look quite silly doing those exercises.. and I don't care. The dog used to give me “what are you doing looks”. Now he thinks his sister is just crazy. He is my mom's dog. She is 92 and in a nursing home.. Ziggy (mini poodle) will be 10 in September. They miss each other. The phone just isn't the same as visits. I love my little furry brother.

Jump to this post

@fourof5zs ZeeGee - It took close to 2 years for full strength to return to my right hand after CMC surgery, especially the pinching/pulling needed for sewing, etc. I kept up the exercises from therapy for a full nine months at home. This spring I still needed a break every hour of sewing when I was in mask production. Pretty sure knitting and crocheting are in my past as I have had a carpectomy (wrist surgery) as well, which limits range of motion.

I have been washing some dishes one-handed with a brush/wand. Last night I managed to cook most of dinner. As for emptying pockets, I lay the pants on top of the machine & reach into each pocket with my "good" hand. Figured out how to hang clothes on the drying rack, fold most things, etc, but still can't carry the baskets upstairs. The last few days I have managed about 1/2 hour of one-handed weeding each day. Baby steps.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 9, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "@hopeful33250 It is grip strength. .. and painful to hold a pen or pencil for long...." + (show)
@fourof5zs

@hopeful33250

It is grip strength. .. and painful to hold a pen or pencil for long. We made cloth mask and my husband did all the cutting. He had trouble understanding how I needed everything placed together. That was a bit painful lining the fronts, backs and interfacing together. The pinching motion the worst. The sewing itself with the machine was only difficult in turning the hand wheel to get started.

I am back to doing most of my chores. We hand wash dishes.. no place for a a dishwasher without losing much needed cabinet space... and I can wash them when there is nothing heavy. The turning of the dishes to wash and rinse makes my hand achy.. but the warm water feels good to my hand. My husband isn't good about checking pockets before placing clothes in the hamper. I find it a bit hard searching the pockets.. my hand either has to do the searching or the holding. It is getting easier, but as always healing is too slow for me. I get too impatient.

I think the Tai Chi exercises will help me keep my balance. I work a little on balance with various little exercises (some which are in the video.. didn't know I knew how to do any Tai Chi 😁) when I take the dog out.. but know I need to work more on it. My neighbors probably think I look quite silly doing those exercises.. and I don't care. The dog used to give me “what are you doing looks”. Now he thinks his sister is just crazy. He is my mom's dog. She is 92 and in a nursing home.. Ziggy (mini poodle) will be 10 in September. They miss each other. The phone just isn't the same as visits. I love my little furry brother.

Jump to this post

Our little furry friends are just like family, @fourof5zs!

REPLY
ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Jul 10, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@fourof5zs ZeeGee - It took close to 2 years for full strength to return to my..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@fourof5zs ZeeGee - It took close to 2 years for full strength to return to my right hand after CMC surgery, especially the pinching/pulling needed for sewing, etc. I kept up the exercises from therapy for a full nine months at home. This spring I still needed a break every hour of sewing when I was in mask production. Pretty sure knitting and crocheting are in my past as I have had a carpectomy (wrist surgery) as well, which limits range of motion.

I have been washing some dishes one-handed with a brush/wand. Last night I managed to cook most of dinner. As for emptying pockets, I lay the pants on top of the machine & reach into each pocket with my "good" hand. Figured out how to hang clothes on the drying rack, fold most things, etc, but still can't carry the baskets upstairs. The last few days I have managed about 1/2 hour of one-handed weeding each day. Baby steps.
Sue

Jump to this post

@sueinmn
Sue, I had awful physical therapists. They were more interested in their phones and laptops than their clients. Then covid-19 came about. My last visit there I decided it was my last visit. They were really not helping me. I could do more at home on my own than there. I looked around that last visit and noticed they did not wipe down equipment after a client used it. One exercise was to put bolts, washer and nut together... move from one side of board to other. It was helpful, but many like me often dropped them on the floor. Another was a tray with clothespins to put on wire lines and it was helpful, but the bottom of the tray had about a quarter of and inch of dust and debris in the bottom of the tray. None of this ever got cleaned between clients. Not sure they ever got clean.

I have looked at many videos online to find exercises to help me. Some I could not do because the trigger thumb was causing so much pain. I believe the trigger thumb was there before the cmc surgery. I described all pain to my surgeon.. I am thinking she should have recognized the trigger thumb during exam. The bone on bone arthritis was very evident on x-ray.

I should have researched my symptoms more before surgery. My mama was so much on my mind though. She had a mild stroke the first week of December. She needed more care than I could give her at home. She spent a week in the main hospital and then moved to another building the hospital has. She stayed there three and a half weeks as we searched for a rehab place. Just no openings. We we lucky that mama was in the hospital between outbreaks of flu and they had a room. We found a rehab place in another town about an hour drive from us. They covid closed the nursing home down for visitors in March. She had c-diff in nursing home in February. She seems to have totally recovered from that. Three weeks ago she had another mild stroke. I got to see her a couple of times while she was in hospital. She is doing better now and is able to speak again. The nursing home seems to be short staffed and it is difficult to get a phone call through to speak to her... dialing three different numbers,

Our mind plays a part in how we recover. I hope to try the Tai Chi soon. I have an ear infection that makes some movements difficult... the drops make me dizzy. I did the hand exercises again this morning and they have awakened my hand better than any other exercise routine in the morning. My surgeon told me to try and use my hand as normally as possible. I listen to my body and if it hurts a lot to do something I don't do it. I try again another time.

I have done as you say with the laundry and sometimes I can search pants that way and sometimes not.. depends on how the garment it constructed. Sometimes I turn the garment upside down and give it a shake and hope the washers, screws, etc, and paper towels fall out.

I have a bad wrist on same hand as the bad thumb.. and more arthritis through other fingers ...and I have always limited the time of sewing or crochet or any project that requires lot of wrist movement. I wear an elastic brace that will support my wrist some and I can still move my hand when I crochet. Most times I only crochet for 30 minutes... or until I start feeling pain. This is the time of year I do the small projects like hats, toys, and potholders. Bigger projects are just too hot to work with.

ZeeGee

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 10, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "@sueinmn Sue, I had awful physical therapists. They were more interested in their phones and laptops..." + (show)
@fourof5zs

@sueinmn
Sue, I had awful physical therapists. They were more interested in their phones and laptops than their clients. Then covid-19 came about. My last visit there I decided it was my last visit. They were really not helping me. I could do more at home on my own than there. I looked around that last visit and noticed they did not wipe down equipment after a client used it. One exercise was to put bolts, washer and nut together... move from one side of board to other. It was helpful, but many like me often dropped them on the floor. Another was a tray with clothespins to put on wire lines and it was helpful, but the bottom of the tray had about a quarter of and inch of dust and debris in the bottom of the tray. None of this ever got cleaned between clients. Not sure they ever got clean.

I have looked at many videos online to find exercises to help me. Some I could not do because the trigger thumb was causing so much pain. I believe the trigger thumb was there before the cmc surgery. I described all pain to my surgeon.. I am thinking she should have recognized the trigger thumb during exam. The bone on bone arthritis was very evident on x-ray.

I should have researched my symptoms more before surgery. My mama was so much on my mind though. She had a mild stroke the first week of December. She needed more care than I could give her at home. She spent a week in the main hospital and then moved to another building the hospital has. She stayed there three and a half weeks as we searched for a rehab place. Just no openings. We we lucky that mama was in the hospital between outbreaks of flu and they had a room. We found a rehab place in another town about an hour drive from us. They covid closed the nursing home down for visitors in March. She had c-diff in nursing home in February. She seems to have totally recovered from that. Three weeks ago she had another mild stroke. I got to see her a couple of times while she was in hospital. She is doing better now and is able to speak again. The nursing home seems to be short staffed and it is difficult to get a phone call through to speak to her... dialing three different numbers,

Our mind plays a part in how we recover. I hope to try the Tai Chi soon. I have an ear infection that makes some movements difficult... the drops make me dizzy. I did the hand exercises again this morning and they have awakened my hand better than any other exercise routine in the morning. My surgeon told me to try and use my hand as normally as possible. I listen to my body and if it hurts a lot to do something I don't do it. I try again another time.

I have done as you say with the laundry and sometimes I can search pants that way and sometimes not.. depends on how the garment it constructed. Sometimes I turn the garment upside down and give it a shake and hope the washers, screws, etc, and paper towels fall out.

I have a bad wrist on same hand as the bad thumb.. and more arthritis through other fingers ...and I have always limited the time of sewing or crochet or any project that requires lot of wrist movement. I wear an elastic brace that will support my wrist some and I can still move my hand when I crochet. Most times I only crochet for 30 minutes... or until I start feeling pain. This is the time of year I do the small projects like hats, toys, and potholders. Bigger projects are just too hot to work with.

ZeeGee

Jump to this post

@fourof5zs ZeeGee, I hope you reported the status of the therapy clinic to your physician! Mine have always been more conscientious than that. After CMC surgery, I was told pinching motions were to be avoided for at least 3 months, but I am familiar with the others. I'll have to see how they have modified use of shared equipment with Covid-19. Last week when they made my splint, I observed the other therapist placing all items in a tote at the end of the session, then an assistant picked it up & took it away to clean.
My hand therapists are awesome, and are always figuring out things I can do at home. I'm looking forward to getting started again, but after just a little stretching activity, the hand begins to swell, so I know it's not ready.
Sue

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