Hiya
I need to ask this question before I see the rheumy next week. Does anyone find stairs a problem?
I have found over the last couple of years that after a few minutes walking, I feel whacked, and start dragging myself. However, going upstairs is the absolute pits. I seem to have no strength in my lower body, and literally drag myself up (most of the time) using the handrails at either side. Sometimes it feels like climbing a mountain.
What brought this to a head was swimming on holiday in Cyprus recently. I can't normally use swimming pools as the chemicals don't agree with me. However, this was air filtration and I enjoyed about 20 minutes splashing and floating and a little bit of swimming in the lovely warm water. Then I came to get out, and couldn't pull myself up the ladder. I felt as if I was wearing a knitted swimsuit that had absorbed too much water ;D, I managed, but it was a super effort of mind over matter!
I tried to pretend it hadn't happened, and a couple of days later had another swim (I love swimming). Max of two lengths in a lagoon shaped pool, and the steps defeated me again. Fortunately, my son was there for moral support. I stood and chatted to him for a few minutes, and then had enough energy to get out. It really freaked me.
Does ayone recognise this?
Kathyx
Hi Kathy!
I recognise this. I had a second hand rail fitted by the NHS before prior to knee surgery. The surgery was 100% successful but I don't know what I'd do without that second rail now. I really rely on it - but no longer for a sore knee.
Take care - Scottie :)
Yes..stairs can be hard for me too! I also find myself walking down one step at a time with both feet on the same step...not alternating feet/steps like I used to many moons ago. Does that make sense? >:(
Yeah, count me in too. Some days aren't so bad, others I can barely get out of my own way! I too depend on hand rails a lot more these days than I ever have before.
It's just not fair, we're not that old! :-\ ::)
Patze
Katy, I have problems with stairs as well most days. I have a worn meniscus in my left knee to begin with and the joint problems Sjogren's has given me doesn't help matters.
Another problem I have is with heavy doors, which we have a lot of where I work between departments. I curse those things some days!
Me too Kathy - I have a strange but effective way of getting downstairs too. I stand with my back to the wall and then use Scottie's 'both feet on the same step' method. it feels a bit easier somehow but looks a bit weird!
Yep stairs give me a panic attack. With both knees replaced, neuropathy, BPPV issues and SJS it is a wonder I stand on solid ground LOL. I know I must look ridiculous but when I must use stairs (which is seldom to never) I turn sideways and hold on to a rail. If there is no rail I do not use steps. Just to step up on a high curb has become a challenge and thankfully have a hubby and children who always hold as arm out for me to use. I don't usually need major help but I do need a stabalizer or I can feel myself going over. I went into Dillards the other day and walked right out when I realized their escalator was not working and I would have to walk up the steps to the second floor. They immediately lost a customer. I have truly become a flat land lover!
Well I posted about my recent fall a few weeks ago. I already had a fear of stairs, but it has intensified since that last fall.
Kathy: You reminded me, when you spoke about struggling in water and the feeling of being weighted down of a time when I got baptized, those Mothers at the church had wrapped a huge body towel around my head to keep my hair dry (they used up all the shower caps with those that had gone ahead of me). Well I thought nothing of it at first until I went down and tried to come back up, Chile I almost drowned once that water soaked that towel, it was more than my neck and back could handle. then trying to balance my head while walking out with a bucket worth of water on top not to mention a big heavy gown on.
AH! It was hilarious! But cost too much attention!
Bernice
I can see the funny side, but that must have been pretty frightening for you.
Kathyx
Hi Kathy,
Sorry I'm so late coming in on this but a recent family crisis has taken me away from the computer.
Yes, yes, yes the stairs are a killer for me. Even the 2 steps coming in or out of the house into the garage. I've made several trips out onto the front of my car. Not fun.
It's been years since I ventured to the basement. My hubby moved the washer/dryer up to the garage for me and installed a heater for the winter. He had been doing the laundry for years so I didn't have to use the stairs. He's so use to doing it now that when I do it, he feels left out. LOL
Take care dear and watch those steps, any of them.
Hugs, Pooh
Hi Poochie
It's lovely to see you back. I hope things have settled down for you.
I'm struggling a little at the moment. I saw the rheumie yesterday and, as I've written on the 'rheummy runaround' thread, it was a good appointment. However, as we often do,I have been thiking about some of the things he said, and about the blood tests he has mentioned, I realize he's looking for evidence of lupus and myositis, and I'm begining to feel frightened.
Although I'm aware that I have been doing a lot more than usual recently, I've generally felt ok, but today I'm sliding downwards, probably because I'm over-tired and facing a general anaesthetic on Monday for another Botox injection into my pelvic muscle. I guess you could say I'm having a pity party, but it's so difficult to talk to my family about my feelings, as I don't want to worry them.
What a blessing my friends here are. I don't think I could cope without you all. Anyway, toorrow is another day.
God bless.
Kathyx
Stairs are hard for me as well, due to weakness in the "proximal" muscles - those closest to the trunk in both legs and arms. The doctors usually say this is age-related, but so many of us have it earlier in life, I wonder if it isn't a myositis-like thing due to Sjogren's.
When I add my balance issues in as well, I have to think hard before tackling any stairs. It has to be really worth the effort.
But some of what you are experiencing may be due to your recent surgery, which affects core strength, in turn making it harder to go up and down stairs.
Genko
Thank you Genko, you are absolutely right. But, I've had this weakness to a lesser extent for probably two years. However, back to the surgery, I'm getting some of the discomfort I had before the repair, so I'm wondering if things are not as stable as they might be.
I will wait until after the procedure next week, and then perhaps talk to the GP about that particlar problem.
Kathyx
Kathy, I love to swim too. I haven't been at my water aerobics class in a long time, but I know the feeling you are talking about getting out of the pool.
This refers only to climbing out of the pool stairs. When we are in the pool, we are basically weightless. A 200 lb woman can flop around and feel like a princess who weight next to nothing. After doing this for a period of time, we get on our feet and grab the steps to start the trip UP the steps. At the same time, the weight becomes heavy again and you have to pull your weight up with your arms if this is most kinds of pools.
In the pool I go to, there is a walkway which is slowly elevated with no steps for wheelchairs to be taken into the pool. I use the walkway instead of the ladder because the "pull" of the weight is less. About halfway up the walkway is when the weight becomes very HEAVY for the rest of the trip out of the pool. When you are "weaklings" like us, I think the shock of being weightless in the pool and then to weight-bearing is a real kick in the butt. I usually take the walkup very slowly and other swimmers will yell out "are you ok?" I say yes, I'm just slow. Lucy
I sprung my ankle coming down a set of three steps leading into my den. For me it's like my mind forgets to step or something. I think because I have had so many bad experiences with steps my mind goes blank sometimes when facing even a curb side.
My baptism experience was scary, at first I could not understand what was happening, why I could not lift my head out of that water. My hands shot out of the water, but the head was weighted down. I didn't know if the preacher was trying to drown me or what. Nothing was making sense, those waiting heard me shout "Good Lord!"
I was somewhat disappointed for some reason most things in my life are very humorous, I did not want this one time to be. I was very emotional just before, very serious. I want everyone else to share a serious moment with me, Its like everyone always expects a laugh or some mishap, well they got one. I will always remember this day for that. I was being re-baptized, guess I should have left well enough alone!
Lucy - thank you! Your explanation helps a lot. I can't normally swim, because the chemicals don't agree with me in the public pools, so I rely on air filtration pools or sea water to swim in.
Bernice - I know what you mean about humour, it's a bummer though when it's not intended, isn't it.
Happy Saturday girls.
Kathyx
Seems the rheumy took my muscle concerns seriously. Today an appointment came to have an EMG at the hospital on 4 January.
In the same post came a letter telling me that Urodynamic tests are also being organised for the bladder/cystocele problem.
Tomorrow, I have the pleasure of the nurse showing me how to use a rectal irrigation kit. I guess I'm keeping lots of medical people in work ;)
Kathyx
This is very good news!
I look forward to hearing the results of the EMG, and I'm delighted to hear your Rheumy is looking into this issue!
Love to you little Kate!
Janna
Hey Kathy - you get all the fun! How about sharing with the others?
Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
Thinking of you - Chickpea
Good luck with the nurse and the irrigation kit tomorrow Kathyx!
Patze
Hey Kathy, so sorry to read of your new problem.
Have been off line a while so have missed lots of news..
I do hope that all comes well for you in the not too distant future, you seem to have had an avalanche of worry these past months!
Your Right! It certainly is a BUMMER!!
All my good wishes to you and all our peeps here. Hope you all have a happy Christmas,
and a great New Year !
Quote from: Katybarstool on December 21, 2009, 01:28:56 PM
Seems the rheumy took my muscle concerns seriously. Today an appointment came to have an EMG at the hospital on 4 January.
In the same post came a letter telling me that Urodynamic tests are also being organised for the bladder/cystocele problem.
Tomorrow, I have the pleasure of the nurse showing me how to use a rectal irrigation kit. I guess I'm keeping lots of medical people in work ;)
Kathyx
If the EMG cmes back normal,, coonsider getting a punch biopsy done to look for small fiber neuropathy,, EMG wont show a thing if the small fibers are involved
Hi Dolly
Welcome back! The nurse arrived as planned yestrday, and introduced me to the 'kit'. It wasn't as embarrassing as I thought it would be, and one of the most important things I learned is not to expect the 'effect' to be immediate. It takes a little patience, and I imagine, a little practice to know when things are 'done' ;)
Navydad, thank you, I will certainly bear that in mind.
Kathyx
You know Navydad, I never thought about asking for a punch biopsy to look for neuropathy after a "negative" EMG. I'll have to ask for it when I get the next EMG done in the spring.
Patze
Oh Kathy - well done you! Hope it really helps XX By the way, how did we get from the topic of 'Stairs' to where we are now????
Yes, ;) about stairs?????????? Has someone already had to much eggnog????
Eggnog - no, a wee dram of whiskey for me. :)
Stairs - bowels, just a short leap from one to the other ;D
Kathyx
Hey, it (hiccup) works for me! ;) :D
Patze
I too, have a terrible time with the stairs. I avoid them as much as possible. However, tonight we went to Christmas Eve Church services with some friends. They wanted to sit up i the balcony and for the first time my husband saw me try to maneuver the steps. He was startled to see how hard they are for me. He stayed right behind me to be sure if I felt backwards he could help me. But, I could tell he was shocked to see how hard they are for me. I have SJS and RA - I hate to see how I will get around at age 60 if I am already hobbling at 50! It is really kind of scary!
Yes I also have a time climbing stairs. My thighs are so week by the time I reach the top I have to bend over to regain strength. It takes a few minutes but it finally comes back. I let my primary dr and rheumy know but neither was concerned. Going down is ok but up is a problem.
I am 56 and have had this problem for awhile but Drs aren't concerned. Is this part of Sjogren's or Fibro?? >:(
I to wonder what life will be like at 60. I am closer than I care to be.
harlin