Hello

Mrwitt71
Mrwitt71 Posts: 1 Member
edited February 3 in Introduce Yourself
I’m new here and looking for any type of motivation and secrets to NOT waking up completely swollen due to my arthritis

Replies

  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,153 Member
    Sorry I don't have no secrets on how to combat your arthritis but did just want to pop in and say hello and welcome!
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 8,997 Member
    Welcome!

    I didn’t wake up with swelling, however I woke up with joint pain and often couldn’t stand up immediately. I would wobble and grip furniture until my joints kind of clicked into place. My husband would come into the bedroom to find me hugging the four-poster for dear life.

    I was prescribed arthritis meds in my 40’s. After witnessing a relative spiral into a drug addiction, I didn’t care to take prescription drugs of any kind at that time. I was also concerned if I relied on them at a relatively young age, my system might be accustomed to them and they not be effective when I aged and “really” needed them.

    What helped me at first was committing to thirty minutes of slow stretching every weekday morning. About half doing standing stretches and half on the floor in a pile of squirming dachshunds, which made it pleasant, because they got scratches and I got stretches.

    The next big step towards joint relief was losing weight. Extra weight taxes and overworks joints.

    Exercise helped. I didn’t start fancy. Simply walking was good, yoga helped, any kind of regular, systematic movement.

    About three months ago I began using a weighted blanket. To my utter surprise, it provided instant relief to night time hip pain, which meant I don’t toss and turn, which means I get several hours of uninterrupted sleep.

    Finally, on the few nights I still have “breakthrough pain”, I use an herbal cream called Penetrex. It doesn’t work for everyone, it’s a bit pricey, and you may have to build up a bit of tolerance (i e use it a few times) before it works for you, but if it does, it’s an absolute godsend.

    I hope one of my suggestions will be helpful. I still have morning wobbles occasionally, but nothing like a few years ago, and it’s a life changer.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories