Send health,
wellness and self-care questions to
nurse@DavidSperoRN.com. Unfortunately, we cannot answer
questions personally, only on this web page. If you are
considering a personal consultation, go to the coaching page for
information, and write
coach@DavidSperoRN.com
Dear Advice
Nurse,
I am a
72-year-old woman with severe osteoarthritis in my right knee.
The pain sometimes gets so bad I can hardly walk. I take
Motrin, but it hurts my stomach. The doctor says not much can
be done; I’m just getting old.
Marilyn in
Oakland, CA
Dear Marilyn,
Your right
knee is getting old? How old is your left knee? Of course you
can get better. Here are a few things you can do for
arthritis. Pick one and see how it goes:
Rest and apply
ice or heat to the area on a regular basis. Don’t wait for the
pain to get bad. Be good to yourself before it hurts too much.
Do gentle
stretching exercises twice a day. You might want to see a
physical therapist or movement instructor for some stretching
ideas.
Keep an
arthritis log to notice what makes the pain get worse or
better. What activities, foods, people, or situations tend to
increase your pain? Arthritis often relates to food intolerance
or allergy.
It may help to
take supplements like glucosamine. There are also medications
that work better than Motrin for many people. (Remember to take
antacid with Motrin to prevent stomach problems.)
Losing weight
may take strain off the knee.
Relax,
meditate, or pray on a regular basis. Stress increases
arthritis pain, and relaxation reduces stress.
If possible,
start a gentle exercise program. Water exercise in warm water
is great for arthritis.
Ask for help
with chores so you can rest more.
Call the
Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-283-7800 to find a support group
near you. Support groups are great sources of information and
ideas.
Remember you
don’t need the whole list. Just start with one idea at a time.
Some resources that might help:
Arthritis:
Stop Suffering and Start Moving, by Darlene Cohen, Walker
and Company 1995.
Coping with
Arthritis, by Martin Rossman and David Bresler, Healthyroads
2002
*
* * * * *
Dear Advice
Nurse,
I have
coronary artery disease. My doctor told me to exercise, but I’m
having trouble getting started.
Louis in New Orleans, LA
Dear Louis,
Adults don’t
do things because people tell us to, unless those people are
wearing a badge or signing a paycheck. We do things because we
want to. Exercise will help you feel better, live longer, and
stay out of the doctor’s office. It may even change your whole
outlook on life – it did for me – but you have to find exercise
you want to do, and a reason to do it.
Are there
things you would like to do, but can’t do because you are out of
shape? If you got fitter, could you play with your
grandchildren, travel, or do something else that you enjoy?
Having a goal will make it easier to get started and keep going.
Exercise
should be enjoyable. It should be pleasure, not work. If you
like to shop, mall walking might be good. If you like to
socialize, find an exercise partner or join a gym that is
comfortable for older or less fit people. (YMCAs are often good
for this.) Maybe you could play a game or sport you enjoy.
Maybe you’d like something you can do around the house, such as
weight lifting or exercise biking. (Watch a video while you
ride.) Maybe you’d like water exercise.
Remember to
start slow and build up slowly. You’ll be amazed at how fast
you can reach your fitness goals if you take your time. You
don’t want to get out of breath, and you shouldn’t need an hour
nap to recover. Stop immediately if you get chest pain or
difficulty breathing. Most of all, enjoy yourself!
A great
exercise resource is: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic
Conditions by Lorig, Holman, Sobel, Laurent, Gonzalez, and
Minor, Bull Publishing 1994
Learn more in David Spero's book, "The
Art of Getting Well," available online at Amazon.com
and Hunter
House as well as fine
bookstores. David is a nurse with multiple sclerosis, who counsels
and coaches people with all types of chronic conditions. Learn
to overcome barriers to self-care and gain more health and quality
of life.
