I am handicapped...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

It just occurred to me today...

Now you most likely won't see it even if you're with me...

And I don't need to take up a handicapped space at the store...

It's not life-threatening, either...

But I am handicapped...

I have very bad spurs in both shoulders...

My range of motion, and my comfort levels are really impacted...

And now, every day for the rest of my life, I will have to do exercises to help my shoulders function the best they can...

I must accept this, and go forward with it...

It's a strange place to be...

It's a mind change for me...

It limits what I can do, and how I do it....

I've always wanted to better understand my friends who have more serious problems...

Now I do...

[KamaAina]

1. Ahem...

...you have a disability. The word "handicapped" is as archaic as "Oriental" or "Negro".

Did you know there's a place at DU just for us? Here you go:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=250

See you around! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear KamaAina!

Oh, OK!

I didn't know about the new terminology!

Thanks...

See you around!

:hi:

[soleft]

3. I have problems with my shoulders too

There's a joint between the clavical and the shoulder called the AC joint, and i have stiffness in there that I have to be very careful with, or it could turn into arthritis. I have to be cafeful to not sleep the whole night on my side, or do exercises where I cross my arms in front of my chest. If I throw too much in softball I have to make sure to ice and take an anti-inflammatory. And i'm only 44 so I have a long time to deal with this.

But worse than the ac joint, I had two bouts of frozen shoulder which was totally dibilitating and incredibly painful. I thought I had read that once you had frozen shoulder you couldn't get it again, but my orthopedist says no, I could get it again.

Shoulders can be a real pain in the neck!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear soleft...

Oh, they sure can!

Yeah, you can get it again....I have!

It seems like the pain and loss of function go back and forth between shoulders...

I hate how these things limit what we can do...

:hug:

[pitohui]

40. yeah my friend was told he needs to keep moving the joint or frozen shoulder will return

keep up w. your exercises and keep the faith

:hug: all around to everybody on this thread, i had pain in my shoulder for 20 years

by the way my friend has had a full recovery and is pain free, and i have had a full recovery and am pain free in my shoulder also

it can happen, nothing's guaranteed, but it's attainable

exercise!

[seemunkee]

5. I have had one shoulder repaired and the other needs to be.

Keep up on those exercises.
My MIL had a repair go bad and had to have the repair work removed. She has extremly limited movement and very little strength. Unfortunately she is stubborn about going for PT.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear seemunkee!

My orthopod says he can clean up the left one and that will help with the pain...

The right one is pretty good!

And I've finally gotten the message on doing the exercises! They really help...

I'm sorry to hear about your MIL...

I plan to be as cooperative as I can...'cause it helps!

:hug:

[soleft]

21. I had arthroscopic on both my frozen shoulders

after PT they were both fine.

[MissMillie]

6. can anything be done for the spurs?

I know I had bursitis once and I was warned against not moving the shoulder for fear spurs and "frozen shoulder" would follow.

Are you headed towards "frozen shoulder"?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My orthopod says nothing can really be done about the spurs...

They are part of an arthritic inflammation, and are so extensive that they're inoperable...

I'm not just headed for "frozen shoulder"...I'm pretty much there!

I hope you can avoid it...

It's not fun, not one little bit...

:hi:

[MissMillie]

11. I had just the one bout of bursitis

thankfully, it hasn't shown its ugly face again.



Feel better!

[Lionel Mandrake]

35. I had a spur; I have a frozen shoulder.

The spur was poking into my rotator cuff. My natural reaction was to avoid painful motions, such as reaching behind my back. This led to frozen shoulder, which AFAIK means that the fibrous capsule (to which the rotator cuff is attached) loses elasticity and holds the humerus very close to the scapula, thus limiting the range of motion. In my case there was no arthritis, which meant that surgery followed by physical therapy should eventually fix the problem completely. I had the surgery and have had some PT. My range of motion has improved, but I have a way to go.

My orthopod says that if my surgery had been delayed, the spur would eventually have caused serious damage to my rotator cuff, and I would have needed a more complicated type of surgery, the recovery from which would have taken longer and been more painful. I am glad to have avoided all that.

[ThomCat]

8. Having to actively manage your health

every single day really does change everything.

:hug:
I hope you can manage those shoulders and preserve your strength and range of motion.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear ThomCat...

And you really have the voice of experience, don't you?

It does change everything...

I wear different clothes...

The kitchen has been rearranged a little...

I have to make time to do my exercises...

But once I do them, I do feel better!

The range of motion is pretty much shot...I can no longer raise my arms over my head...Nor can I reach around to my back very well...

But I'm still pretty strong!

Thank you for your support, sweetie...

And I hope you're feeling good today...

:hug:

[VenusRising]

10. Peggy!

:hug:

I hope that your pain in minimal, and they can find a way to alleviate your spurs.

My best friend has them in her neck and shoulders at 29 from a car wreck, and her pain is crippling.

Love, hugs, and vibes for good health and minimal pain.

:hug::loveya::hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. My dear VenusRising!

Aw, sweetie.....thanks!

You are a sweetheart, and I appreciate your loving words of support so damn much!

The pain is less since I'm doing my exercises more religiously...

My doctor says he can clean up the worse shoulder, the left, and that will help decrease the pain...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend...

That is just horrible...

She needs help waaaaaay more than I do...

And I hope she can get it...

I appreciate all your good vibes .......


:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

13. I am sorry you have arrived here.

I like to pretend I don't have the limitations that I have.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear KitchenWitch...

Thanks, sweetie...

Well, it has been coming on for several years...

I wish I could pretend...

But I can't...

I have to come to terms with it, and I am...

You're helping me to do that...:hug:

[Eurobabe]

14. Hi CP, I have a similar thing

Inflammation of the tendon that runs near the shoulder blade and the shoulder joint. It's become chronic, in May I started PT, and it is at least better these days. Now I can sleep on my left side again. But we've discovered I have a new issue, I can't move my arm behind my back anymore (you gotta love putting a bra on in front and turning it around!! Sucks) I do my PT pretty much daily, but it looks like I will have some new exercises to do next week to unlock this damn shoulder joint or strengthen whatever muscle is weak

I've just turned 47, and this is ridiculous! :mad: :mad: I was always healthy as a horse until I hit 43 -- was dx'd with hypothyroidism. From there is has been one little pain in the ass thing after another. :banghead:

I guess I try to ignore things rather than accept this as a permanent limitation. And that's probably not good. :shrug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear 48percenter!

Oh, how I hear you!

I finally gave up on the bra, and now I wear the ones that hook in the front!

It's sooooooo much easier!

Do your PT, sweetie! Those exercises really do help!

I've been trying to ignore it too.....

And that has just made it worse...

So now I have accepted it, and hopefully that will help me......

Hang in there!

:hug:

[Eurobabe]

18. I have accepted that I have

thyroid problems, yes - but I am hoping this shoulder issue is transient. I never thought about the front entry bras, haha! Next time I come home, thanks for the tip! (Although bra shopping is next to bathing suit shopping on my things not to do list :P

My mom says go without, but that would induce those dreaded 40 longs. LOL. :hi:

Be at peace. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. Glad I could help!

I've been buying mine online...

I fail the pencil test, so no going without for me!

And I am at peace....most of the time anyway....

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

[Parche]

19. My Dear CaliforniaPeggy

Is it arthritis?
My '2nd' mom has that bad, and it is very debilitating (sp)

:hi:

"A man's survival can take many shapes, and the shape in which a man finds his humanity is not always a human one."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

My dear Parche...

Yes, it is indeed arthritis...

Luckily, just in my shoulders...

So far, anyway...:scared:

All my best for your '2nd' mom...

:hi: back atcha, sweetie!

[Parche]

26. My Dear CaliforniaPeggy

Do you take something for it prescription?

She is taking a new medicine that is helping a lot, I can ask her what it is

:hi:

"In Man's conquest of space, his own moon must be the first to surrender. From there he will step his way across the heavens to the edge of infinity. Each step will be as uncertain as the last, yet each will bring him closer to ultimate truth"

[skygazer]

22. It is a strange realization, isn't it?

I'm sorry you're going through this but I know what you mean. I've been active and athletic my entire life and it's very strange to be limited in what I can do with my body. It angers and perplexes me.

I try to remember to be grateful that I'm able to walk and work and do many, many things others cannot but it's an adjustment to have to think before I do certain things. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear skygazer...

It is strange...

Ah, well, I've had other things happen that were a lot worse...

And I survived those!

I hear you about having to make adjustments....it sucks!

I refuse to let my disability take my life from me!

:hi: back atcha!

[crim son]

23. It is a strange feeling, and you will become fully accustomed to it.

I haven't been able to run, for example, since I was thirty. You are wise in putting the positive spin on your situation: we can all use incentives to increase our compassion & understanding. Disability is one such incentive. Hugs to you, Peg. I'm sorry to hear about this. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear crim son...

Thank you for your very wise and compassionate words...

I've been dealing with my stupid shoulders for several years now...

But today was a definite transition day...

I needed to recognize just what I have here, and how to deal with it...

You are helping me, sweetie...I mean that!

:loveya:

[Spacemom]

24. I'm sorry to hear about your shoulders

I have come to the same realization about my diabetes. There are times that I simply can't do the things I want to. My energy levels are not what they should be, and I have a lot of pain in my feet. Sometimes I just have to say, ya'll go on, I have to stay here and rest. It's a difficult place to be at times.

:hug: Here's to accepting ourselves, as we are, everyday.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. My dear Spacemom...

I am sorry to hear that your diabetes affects you this way too...

We just need to love and support one another along the way...

It helps so damn much!

Here's to accepting ourselves, as we are, everyday.

How beautifully you have said this!

Thank you...

:hug:

[lost-in-nj]

27. Aww Peggy

I hope your not in pain with this.....

and if you are I hope its not bad

:hug: :hug:

lost

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear lost...

Mostly I'm not in pain...

And I know what to do when/if I am...

Thank you, sweetie...:hug: :loveya:

[SPKrazy]

29. don't know if

i can say i'm handicapped, but my knees will never be the same due to arthritis. i may have surgery someday when they are "worse" but so far they are just bad enough to annoy me and not enough to require surgery. They limit me, but the more active i am with exercise and use of them, the better off they are.

My neck is bothersome due to the fact that i have very little disc material in between 3 different vertebral spaces. So It's nearly bone on bone, and there are spurs there too. Between those two factors there is sometimes nerve impingement that will get worse and take some time to heal.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

do your exercises peg, that will stave off worsening as much as anything else. inactivity will lead to more pain in general (I'm saying this for myself too as I have been avoiding the activity i need and need to get back to it for many reasons...to keep my knees good, to build stamina :D and to stay healthy.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. My dear Southpawkicker...

I find that, for me, it helps me to label what's going on...

Then I can better evaluate what it is, and what I can do about it...

I'm sorry to hear about all your hurt places, sweetie...

Yeah, I am doing my exercises more religiously, and they do help!

The muscles support the joints...

Here's to staying healthy, sweetie! :toast:

:hug:

:loveya:

[Arugula Latte]

31. Peggy, I'm so sorry to hear.

One thing I would like to say is that there is always hope that something will happen to make it improve. Maybe a treatment, maybe it will abate on its own, who knows. I'm not saying you shouldn't try to get your mind around it first and try to get accustomed to the new condition (I know, easy for someone who doesn't have that to say), but, it's just, you never know...Sometimes bad things happen, and sometimes good things happen. I'll keep hoping you get some good relief. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. My dear Oregonian...

I hear what you're saying...

And there's always hope for better treatments...

As long as I do what I can, I'll be as well as I can be!

Thanks for your good wishes! :hug:

[libodem]

36. Exercise is a good way to go

glad to hear you have something that helps you. I've been struggling too with my back. I want to think of myself as young and capable not disabled. I think it's called denial. I think I understand what you are struggling with. It is not easy to face that our bodies are wearing out. My spinal fusion has not done what I thought it would for the nerve pain in my legs and feet. I think the damage might be permanent. That means I could be permanently disabled. We are kinda in the same boat. I see the disability forum and think how can I belong there, yet I'm living on long term disability payments until I'm able to return to work. You are correct about the acceptance and going forward. The other option is our old enemy, denial.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. My dear libodem...

Oh, I hear you!

I've been in denial for such a long time, and all it's done is to make things worse...

I think I've finally come to grips with my condition, and that will help...

I'm sorry that you're dealing with it too... :hug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

37. Peggy...

I am very sorry to hear about your spurs. :hug:

Some advice if I may?

Here is what a professional told me...

Whatever your illness, don't think of it as an illness or handicap...think of it as PART OF YOU. Don't fight it, but rather, accept it as another part of you as you would accept your arm or leg as part of you. As such, treat your spurs well. Do whatever it takes to soothe your pain from them, and try not to aggravate them, because, they are part of what makes you...well...you.

Does that make any sense? I can't explain it real well, but this thought has helped me.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. My dear philboy...

You've made some very good points, and I shall remember these!

These damn spurs are part of me...

And if I make a bad move, believe me, they tell me!

I am finally doing everything I can to soothe them...

Thank you, sweetie...You've made perfect sense...:hug:

[Shine]

38. I believe the proper term is "disabled" these days, Peggy.

:hug: :loveya: I've had this distinction made abundantly clear to me by both my sister and my mother, who both suffer from various physical ailments...enough to warrant getting a Disability Parking Placards, which get them into those special spots.

They're very convenient and worth considering getting, if you can swing it.

I'm sorry about your shoulder pain, though. Yes, it's a mind change to understand and hopefully gracefully accept one's physical limitations. I've had inklings of that feeling when I've been recovering from injuries. It's hard, so I get it. :hug:

Hang in there. The daily exercises will help. You know what to do. :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. My dear Shine!

Indeed, you are correct...the right term is disabled!

I don't need one of those placards...

But thank you for the good thoughts, sweetie...

I have finally figured out what I need to do, and by God, I'm doing it!

And my doctor is helping too, as are my superb physical therapists...

:loveya: :hug:

[pitohui]

39. that's how it hit a close friend too -- shoulder issues

stupid joints, we need to invent something to fix this vulnerability!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

44. My dear pitohui...

These joints are complex, and while shoulder replacement surgery is available, the outcomes are not normally very good...

So far, anyway...maybe one day, the surgery will be improved upon...

So I'm working on doing my exercises, and taking my medications...

What else can I do?

Thanks for your support!

:hug:

[TOhioLiberal]

45. Hi Peggy...

...I'm sorry that your shoulder is bothering you. You've gotten so much excellent advice, that I have nothing to add except for a couple of careful hugs...:hug::hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. My dear TOhioLiberal...

Oh, sweetie...

It's so good to see you here tonight...

Thank you for the gentle hugs!

I'm really not that fragile!

:loveya: :hug:

[dpbrown]

46. Hugs to you, Peggy

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

51. My dear dpbrown...

Blessings on you.....:pals:

[Left Is Write]

47. I'm sorry, Peggy!

My mother has spurs in her hands, which is very hard for her, because she loves to quilt.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear Left Is Write!

Oh, how terrible for your mom!

I would be nuts if it were in my hands...

My best to her...

Thanks for coming by tonight, sweetie...:hug:

[Redstone]

48. Hey, I've had to get used to dealing with the "H" word over the last few years myself.

It ain't easy. Not in your mind, and ESPECAILLY not to speak aloud.

Even if you preface the "H" word or the "D" word (which is the one I have to deal with), it ain't easy.

But it's life, and you gotta live with what life throws you.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. My dear Redstone!

I hear you about how difficult it is to say that "D" word...

That's partly why I started this thread....to force myself to acknowledge it.

I must deal with what life throws me, for sure....

With everything life throws me...

Thank you, sweetie...:hug:

[Redstone]

49. Oh, and by the way, do NOT have surgery for that, OK?

That's how I ended up with the (permanent) nerve damage.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

54. No worries on that score, believe me!

My doctor tells me most emphatically that I am not a candidate for surgery...

Thanks...:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

55. I'm sorry to hear that Peggy....

do your exercises while I wish you the very best.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

57. My dear MonkeyFunk...

I will be doing them for the second time today in a little while...

They really do help!

As do your good wishes...

Thank you!

:hug:

[Fire Walk With Me]

56. Peggy, God bless and keep you. I hope that somehow this problem fades to nothing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

58. My dear Peake...

Oh, thank you so much for your blessings...

Alas, this condition is progressive, and will never go away...

The best I can hope for is to keep it from hurting me too much...

:hug:

[blondie58]

59. aw, sweet C Peg

that is too bad and I'm sorry that you are suffering from it.

As for myself, I actually have a handicapped placard and use it occasionally. It is kind of a contradiction, as my job can be quite physical, as a letter carrier and yet I have this permit. Sometimes though, my gait can be quite gimpy, especially when I'm tired or overworked. I have a disease of my nervous system, which is quite unpredictable. I often joke that I should have taken out the extended warranty on this body- why did I have to be so cheap?

But really, we may be disabled, but what I find even more sad is those who are disabled IN SPIRIT- and attitude. There are so many out there who don't look at life "the right way" or they blame others for their woes, or they think that life would be great once they... (fill in the blank)

I am grateful to be where I am at and I look at each day as an adventure. Sure, I have problems at times, but I am strong and I have a lot of people in my life that love me and would help me to do anything.

That is priceless and worth the world and with that outlook, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that can truly leave me disabled.

Dawn

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. My dear blondie58!

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful post, sweetie...

And oh baby, do I agree about folks who are disabled in SPIRIT! I will never be that way!

I too see each day as an adventure...

I've always said that I will never be old, even though I might celebrate many birthdays...

My shoulders are the same for me...they will not keep me from having fun in my life!

:loveya:

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

60. Hugs for ya my friend!

Every time it hurts just remember, could be worse, you could be in GD :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. My dear Straight Story!

LOL!

Thanks for the laugh, sweetie!

GD rarely sees me, and that's because I'm chicken!

You are a sweetheart...:hug: :loveya:

[Haole Girl]

61. I hope your condition improves soon!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

64. My dear KC2!

Awww, thanks!

My condition is arthritis, and it will always be here in my shoulders...

But by doing my exercises, I can help keep it at bay...

And I can help keep the pain down too...

:hug:

[Haole Girl]

66. I'm sorry... I thought it might go away

I've known a lot of people with arthritis and I know movement is important... and there are always new drugs, too. But, please be careful with any new drugs. Sometimes, it seems, the pharmaceutical companies just care about making a lot of money instead of the safety and well-being of people. But, you were a nurse... I'm sure you know more about it than I do! :hug:

[Zomby Woof]

65. Bullshit

THIS is "handicapped":



What you're experiencing is a bit of pain and discomfort.

Jesus H. Christ on a cracker!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

67. My dear ZombyWoof...

Actually, you're right...

But I wanted to have a catchy thread title...

And so that's what I did!

I have some limitations, but nothing like our good scientist here...

I was trying (for myself) to get my head around this condition...to learn that I must deal with it so that it won't get worse...

Because I have ignored it in the past, and it has gotten worse as a result...

That's all...

Nice to see you tonight...:hi: