Wellness

[LilacTree]

My daughter was here to bring stuff for my rib. It is exactly what I need, she went to a medical supply store to get it. I can't believe she went out in this frigid weather to get that for me. And this is my sick daughter. She bought me a wrap around elastic rib support with soft little pillows that I can but under my breast. We put it on and it is making a huge difference.

I can't believe she did that, as sick as she herself is, and in this severely cold weather. I had texted her not to because of the weather and she said, "OK," and then walked in an hour later with all of it anyway. My girls are amazing.

[ivanatrump]

You've discussed the severity of your physical condition. You've also discussed your LTC policy. It sounds like the you need to take advantage of the fact they will pay for in home care and have a medical professional live with you.

I know someone who had nursing professional move in with her husband and her about 6 weeks ago. She was hesitant at first but the fact that they were both over 80 and neither could care for the other, she's decided it is money well spent. They do not have LTC insurance so are paying out of pocket.

[Lillyrose]

Ford, I am so sorry that you have to endure this pain and suffering. We all take it for granted when we can move about freely. Loss of mobility gets pretty frightening as we get older. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. I am glad you have such a wonderful daughter to help you. Just rest and don't do any work or lifting.

Have you ever tried lidocaine patches? Some people find them helpful for rib pain. When I was a clinic nurse, this is what our doctors prescribed for this type of pain.

And I understand how you feel about the biologics. Yes, they are very helpful but the side effects can be scary. I am not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes.

Take care and be safe!

Do you think water therapy/gentle warm whirlpool would help you?

[lucylover64]

You definitely have some amazing girls! I am so happy they have been able to help you out. Stay strong and one thing at a time! Blessings to you as you move forward in this medical process.

[sienna123]

Sorry you are pain, hope you get to feeling better soon. You have been blessed with wonderful daughters.

[LilacTree]

On 2/16/2015 Lillyrose said:

Ford, I am so sorry that you have to endure this pain and suffering. We all take it for granted when we can move about freely. Loss of mobility gets pretty frightening as we get older. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. I am glad you have such a wonderful daughter to help you. Just rest and don't do any work or lifting.

Have you ever tried lidocaine patches? Some people find them helpful for rib pain. When I was a clinic nurse, this is what our doctors prescribed for this type of pain.

And I understand how you feel about the biologics. Yes, they are very helpful but the side effects can be scary. I am not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes.

Take care and be safe!

Do you think water therapy/gentle warm whirlpool would help you?

I have used lidocaine patches for my back which didn't do much. Plus one has to remember to take them off within 24 hours which I didn't always do. I do think they might help with this dislocation though, and will ask my ortho doc to prescribe them for me when he returns my calls (hopefully today).

The biologics belie the old theory of "benefit outweighs the risk," at least as far as I am concerned. The risks are terrible. I might take the chance if they were a possible cure for RA, but they are not. They only work temporarily and most often one develops a rejection or an allergy to them and that's when the merry-go-round of going from one to another to another starts. Plus they have to be infused or injected, with the exception of the new one, "Xeljanz," which is taken orally, but has the same side effects. Not to mention the onerous cost (thousands).

I do think a warm whirlpool would be soothing, however, I have no way of getting to one on any kind of regular basis, as I don't drive and my girls work. My Lyme daughter no longer works, but I hate to ask her to do any kind of regular driving for me, as she is just not up to it most days.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful suggestions.

[sydsgma1]

Oh Ford, I feel so badly for you. Do you think you should see your dr and get your ribs wrapped?? I know this is all interconnected with the ra, osteoporosis and prednisone that eventually destroys ones body. ((((((Hugs)))) you are a strong, beautiful woman. And not all rheumatologists are terrible. As I have told you, my dr and those in his group are very caring.

[LilacTree]

On 2/18/2015 sydsgma said: Oh Ford, I feel so badly for you. Do you think you should see your dr and get your ribs wrapped?? I know this is all interconnected with the ra, osteoporosis and prednisone that eventually destroys ones body. ((((((Hugs)))) you are a strong, beautiful woman. And not all rheumatologists are terrible. As I have told you, my dr and those in his group are very caring.

I just can't seem to find one syds, one out of five and the only reason I am not still seeing her is because she decided to become a professor and teach. I don't blame her.

The bandage my daughter bought me yesterday is helping a lot and it's the same thing as getting my ribs wrapped, although today I am wearing it over my robe because it makes my chronic itching worse directly on the skin even with the pads. Last night I thought the rib on the opposite side of the one that dislocated was going to dislocate also, it pinched a few times. But I corrected my position and it seems okay today.

I never heard from the ortho doc yesterday, I guess because of the weekend and then the holiday on Monday. If I don't hear from him by 2 PM, I will call again. He's usually good about calling.

[sydsgma1]

Glad the wrap is helping. I am sure your cold weather is not helping you either. (((More hugs)))))

[LilacTree]

On 2/18/2015 sydsgma said: Glad the wrap is helping. I am sure your cold weather is not helping you either. (((More hugs)))))

I am putting heat on it over the bandage on and off and lying down every half hour or so.

Guess what? I just received a call from the ortho doc's PA, who told me he doesn't handle rib issues, just the spine. She said if I think I need to, I should just go to my GP. I'm not about to do that. She also said it sounds as though I have done the only things that could be done, so I should just take it easy and let it heal . . . pretty much what I intended to do.

I have learned to be my own doctor in the last few years, as my conditions are pretty much incurable and only marginally managed by meds and/or other treatments.