[Monty_girl]

Thought I might start a thread of things that we all do to help us manage daily activies. So just add on any things you might think could help other people here that you use.

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility type. I have early onset of Osteoarthritis mostly in my hands and feet, along with hip and shoulders. The difference in Osteoarthritis and RA is that in RA the joints swell and cause pain. In Osteoarthritis the joints have degenerated and the bones begin to rub together. EDS is a connective tissue disorder so I have other issues along with chronic joint pain. Do to recurrent injuries I have nerve damage in my joints that cause me not to be able to understand were my limbs are. This causes further injuries. Example would be that I think my foot is on the ground when in actuality it has not reached the ground. Causing me to fall often.

Due to all of these issues I've adjusted things in my home and daily life. Here's a start to a list of helpful things I hope you all can add to.

1. No throw rugs in my home. They can cause slips and falls.
2. Door handles that aren't round. I'm putting in the straight handles that I can just push down on to open. Helps with hand pain.
3. Large handled combs and brushes. Easier to hold to.
4. Hand rails in and around the tub.
5. Easy grip ink pens.

Ok I've listed 5, so add anything else that comes to mind.

Thanks, Lisa

[Rhapsody]

Here are my five....

1.) No Steps to Climb

2.) A good Pain Killer / Muscle Relaxer

3.) A soft Sofa or Bed to rest on

4.) A Recliner to get UP with ease

5.) Fenced in Yard... for playing with my dogs / no leash required

[FaithisAlive]

UUMm.. lets see... no stairs to climb.. and no hills either.. avoid cold drafts.. do light yoga when possible for stretching... learned to use non-dominant hand to do many things so I could balance the workload... such as brushing my teeth...

I use some herbal remedies for soaking baths.. such as comfrey-tea... very soothing...and I try to laugh alot...

[hillbunnyb]

1) custom bed made from a waterbed matress and rice hulls, ergonomically perfect fit to my body so there are no pressure points as I lie here 20 hours a day.
2) slip on shoes so no bending needed
3) planning my every move before I get up
4) stopping the minute I start to twinge
5) nibbling away at a variety of projects so I can rotate through using different muscle groups and wear myself down evenly.

[(JD)]

Lever handled doorknobs, faucets
Raised the bed 6"
Raised kitchen countertops
Installed raised toilets (min 17")
Smaller paces when walking, low rise stairs or curbs: up with good leg, down with bad

Lowered wall switches.
Touch lamps.
Remote control everything! Automate everything!

I need to buy a small freezer/refrig for bedroom for high pain days when I can't get to the kitchen even for ice packs

Electric/full power driver's car seat with adjustable lumbar

[bebop]

oh man I wondered why I was using one leg over the other like that! lol I think I look funny doing that up with good down with bad! I had to see a t the other day for an evaluation and she was going to see about getting me a new mattress! more than my med doc has done but with the new problems I doubt it will happen!

[CedarS]

Hot baths
distraction
laughter
finding something to be grateful for
having good books to get lost in

[pooh_ac]

Distractions, a good pain doc, helpful sites, ice or heat pac depending on the days, meds

[(JD)]

Another way to take stairs is sideways... or at an angle I guess to be more specific...

I just bought new firm large pillows, and new corrugated mattress pads/covers...foam type. (My housekeep comes tomorrow so she can put them on!)

I have to sleep on my back, so I need full support under my knees (thigh to heel) and a pillow under each arm, and at least one under my head (two under my head if I'm in a phase of aspirating more.)

I have swing lamps attached to the wall on either side of the bed... so I can have them over me or push away at will...not having to bounce around in the bed just to put the lamp on.

[Monty_girl]

I thought of one the another day while I was trying to dress.

Front closing bra !!

[hillbunnyb]

yeh, my bed is "COMMAND CENTRAL". I don't sit so everything I need to run my daily existance is within arm's reach while I am lying here....