I have been having a bad flare in my knee for almost 2 months now. Last week I had to break down and buy a cane in order ease the stress to the other side of my body. While this has helped, it has also garnered unwanted attention and questions about what happened. I get tired of repeating myself. It makes me feel like my Co workers think I’m doing it for the attention . That’s not really how they feel as they are truly sympathetic and supportive. This is so very exhausting.
hi dena. i understand how frustrating is is when people cant really see health issues and they inquire that you feel like you are repeating yourself and really dont want this kind of attention. It is good, though that you say your co workers are sympathetic and supportive. I have not really found much of a way out of this when i use my cane and i decided to say that i have a condition that affects my muscles and/or joints. that usually quiets people down and then they seem to feel it an open forum to talk about their health issues. i hope you get to feeling better soon.huggggggs
suzie
dena, I truly understand how u feel, but please let me tell u something......I had to start using a cane not much longer after I was diagnosed with FM/CMP over 20 yrs ago. The disease was already somewhat crippling to me because I could barely walk...my hips, legs, well the entire lower extremity HURT. My Rheumy sent me for physical therapy(I CAN'T do repetitive, physical things) I felt ok when they put me in a warm water chamber afterwards, but the lifting, cycling & physical stuff{Physical Therapy) landed me on a cane.(I can barely hold or fold sheets, let alone lift a weight & I use to lift weights & exercise on a daily basis before all this craziness}!! Please do not let anyone make u feel ashamed of what u are going thru. I used whatever helped me to get around & continue to be independent. (H, when u get down, who's gonna be there to hold u up? Who's gonna have ur back?) EXACTLY, not one of those people who are judging u. D them. Hold ur head up high if u wanna get fancy w/it as I did when I used a cane, I got one to go with every outfit I had. So I have canes in every color & I styled w/them as I walked Proud. That went on for about 18yrs, then the Dr ordered me a walker(I got a stylish one w/a Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon on the seat. I also have fore arm crutches & crutches& last count was 28 canes. I have canes from overseas because my family would bring me canes instead of magnets when they travel abroad. I only used the ones I & the insurance bought, the others are merely collectors for me. My cane became my best friend until almost a year ago. I'm now in a Motorized Wheelchair. I fought for a long time to stay out of the chair, but only God knows where I've been & where I'm going. I've had people say O, I'm so sorry....I look @ them & say O, I'm not. I refused the chair for so long & I didn't realize what I was doing. It has saved me in ways one couldn't imagine. The knee pain, well I still get it everyday, but I don't have to stand on them all the time. I just rub them w/a topical & do light stretching.That's all my body allow most times. Be good to urself dena & don't allow others to define u. I was written off years ago, but I continue to fight & my family call me a SOLDIER. That makes me proud & keep me fighting. NO MATTER WHAT U NEED TO GET AROUND, A CANE, CRUTCH, WALKER OR WHEELCHAIR>>> KEEP IT MOVING & HOLD UR HEAD HIGH. U are a Queen & daughter of the MostHighest!! BTW> my family crack me up when they say to me "How u rolling today, U be rolling out or Let's roll outta here" Comments like that keep me rolling. LOL
((((((HUGS)))))
My left knee has been giving me all kinds of fits for the last 6 months. Lately, my right knee has, in sympathy I suppose, kicked in also. Hubby insisted I start using a cane last May after I almost knocked him over on one of our daily walks due to vertigo (compliments of the fibro). My doctor, a very understanding person, is holding off doing testing until I have medicare next year--after the obligatory 24 month waiting period on disability. I saw her this week and she wrote a 15 day script, one a day, for Prednisone. So far it's working on not just my knee but also my hands, ankles and back. She thinks my knees are swelling and trying to kick out of position due to rheumatoid arthritis. Maybe next year at this time, I'll know for sure. Here's hoping!