Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 27.01.2010
From: Lucy

Subject: Equipment to help

Hi all,

I feel useless at the minute as I cant even get my ruddy shoes and socks on and am having to ask my 8 year old to help.

I just wondered if anyone knew of any equipment that helps (Ihate having to use this stuff but it has to be done).

I am going to invest in a grabber as I use one at work and its really good but is there any other useful little devices that make life easier. Ive looked on the net but think its always better to consult with the consumers than pay out lots of dosh (that I dont have) and the equipment be useless.

Any help would be much appreciated

Lucy x
reply | back to forum

Date: 28.01.2010
From: karen

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

ask the ot at the hospital she said something bout something to help puttin socks on .sorry cant remeber what it was x
reply | back to forum

Date: 28.01.2010
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

I had a Grabber once till i picked up the argos book with it,god knows what i was thinking but that was the end of that grabber
reply | back to forum

Date: 29.01.2010
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

I found a good gadget in lakeland for doing the ring pulls on tins without hurting your hands and also helping undo bottles. If you struggle with those things to - i get so frustrated when doing kitchen stuff as so much of it seems to hurt. I got a lot of stuff to help me with dressing etc from the OT at the hospital and it didnt cost me then - might be worth goin to see them and get lots of stuff they offer you i got some things i thought i would never use and then wen my ra has got worse i have found them really good. :-)
reply | back to forum

Date: 29.01.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

Hi Lucy, with regards to socks, well, I struggle too. The best way ive found to cope is to buy only ankle/trainer socks as I can manage to slip them on with my feet! It takes a while to perfect but its one less thing I have to ask my other half to do in the mornings!

Somebody a little while ago posted this website - www.funkyarthur.co.uk

Theres some really handy and clever stuff on there!
reply | back to forum

Date: 04.02.2010
From: Lucy

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

Aww thanks everyone thats really useful.

My son helps me with my socks and shoes at the minute but I want to try and regain a bit of independance.

I have a grabber at work and its great so am going to get one off the internet.

I will ask the OT when I go to see my consultant next week.

been to see my surgeon today and I am having my left hip replaced very soon and then hopefully my right next year x
reply | back to forum

Date: 04.02.2010
From: Debs

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

Hi Lucy, I have only recently being diagnosed with OA and have similar problems, I don't know if they are a chain store but in torquay we have a "98p shop" where everything is that price(obviously) and they sell the grabbers, my husband bought me one yesterday, it is very good, not pretty as its grey, but it does the job. Hope this helps.

Debs
reply | back to forum

Date: 04.02.2010
From: Kat

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

when I was first diagnosed with RA, the OT at the hospital gave me a variety of tools. One was something to help me do up buttons and pull up socks. It was basically I piece of dowel about 8 inches long with a wire attachment at one end that looked like the eye part of a set of suspenders (for the buttons) and a plastic covered hook at the other end. You reach down with the tool, hook the top of the sock and pull it up. I never used it at the time, but something similar might help you.
reply | back to forum

Date: 05.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

Hi Lucy, long time no hear......glad u r getting sorted out re your ops.....most ppl that have hip replaced feel amazing....my m8 did, within week or two she felt amazing, so im sure u will too, but fact u need other hip done too, mite make it a little more difficult to begin with, but just imagine how fantastic u will feel once u get that first hip op out the way....life will begin to bloom for u once again.....let me know your official date for hip, im waiting to go on the waiting list for my fusion op, was suppose to go on it in jan, but surgeon delayed it, as i need MRI scan on neck, as that is bad at mo......anyway, stay Positive, Positivity facing an op is everything!! it will help u stay strong, and u wont get low ok....take care Lucy, love Jill x
reply | back to forum

Date: 06.02.2010
From: Lucy

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

Hey Jill

I heard you had been away glad your back your great on here.

Thanks for this it all seems to be moving very fast from when we first spoke.....I now work only part time and am getting DLA for mobility and am awaiting my first op.....wow fast fast fast ha!!

I always try to stay positive like you Jill it gets me through and if you can go through so many ops and be soooo positive i'm sure I can its what gets me through. I cant wait to get both hips done life should be better, They are then going to look at doing my right knee so I keep joking that i'm going to be like the bionic woman....you have to keep your chin up dont you?

I will let you know the date....they just said between 2 to 3 months

Hows things with you now any better? I hope so Jill

Hope to hear from you soon

Love

Lucy x
reply | back to forum

Date: 06.02.2010
From: valh:-)

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

hi i got one of those new tin openers you just push the button and it does all the work and magnet lifts lid off as you take it off look for the one that does not leave rough edges works a treat i got a grabber as well as keep falling over so saves me climbing on chairs got it from a cheap shop as well
reply | back to forum

Date: 07.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

HI val, I deid have a grabber, but bliddy lost it!!! must get another.....is that tin opner the one that guy with the wig advertisies on TV?? if so I want one....birfday coming up Val...so send me one lol x
reply | back to forum

Date: 07.02.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Equipment to help

HI Lucy

Good to hear from u, how is that lovely sone of yours? does he realises that u will be having your op? know u were worried about how he wld feel....my m8s call me the bionic woman too....i do giggle......im over the worst of this sickness, I also had a car crash that has caused rotten whiplash, dizzy spells are better, only go dizzy when i bend down, so wont do that now, can barely bend anyway...kids toys etc, hate seeing them lying all over, so must buy a new grabber,Mislaid mine.....

Lucy its Vital that u remain Positive, its that, that gets me thru, that way u dont lose who u r....I know ive had alot of ops, I could Not have done it without being pos, and also looking forward to my ops....sounds mad huh, looking forward to an op, but I did, and it helped, becos i wanted that pain to go away sooooooo much, all I cld do was look forward........Pls keep us informed, another member Jenny had her hip done, she is coping good......and the hip replacements work soooo well.....anyway, u look after U, and come back and chat to me when ever u want...take care, lots love Jill xx
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

2+9=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board