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Chronic Pain
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Posted 2/7/2015 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
So I was looking at the tub and it desperately needed napalm. I am fresh out so what am I going to do? idea I then realize that I have a group of highly intelligent and flexible folks who can help develop solutions.

So I pose the challenge.....describe an activity of daily living that has been modified to make it possible for you to accomplish. Or maybe you have a problem and want the group to help solve? It could be something simple or more involved. Just lay it out there for the group. I guarantee that this will be an "aha" moment for someone.

I will start....
Problem: the tub.
Solution; I drilled a hole in a round hand scrubby and used a nut to secure a long bolt into the center of the scrubby. I then chuck the end of this long bolt into my drill. Sprinkle tub with cleanser and pull the trigger. I now have a tub worthy of a bubble bath.
Posted 2/7/2015 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
GENIUS!!! I will be modifying my dewalt!! I have to clean rentals and I started using oven cleaner on the tubs and just about everything else fridge stove walls every place there seems to be some type of grime that doesn't come off.
Posted 2/7/2015 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
pptrsha1, how long do you leave it on the tub ?
Posted 2/7/2015 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I spray it on and then wait a few minutes and use a scrubby NOT THE COPPER ONES ONLY PLASTIC . one time I tried using THE WORKS for toilets it ate all of the finish off yikes!!!
Posted 2/7/2015 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I used to use drywall screens to remove blumps of icky off ceramics...toilet, sink, tub etc. Doesn't scratch either. Its too much on my arm though.
Posted 2/8/2015 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Well I try prevention first and along the edge of the tub is a bottle of foaming bleach cleaner,found it works better than tub and tile and scrubbing bubbles,and trained early out that everyone getting out every time sprays the tub and shower walls. I don't have a build up that takes a drill to get off!!Lol it's a great idea though.

Raising 5 kids way back when this life became mine prevention and thinking ahead was of the utmost importance and so all my kids had to learn all the little things that cause me a great deal of pain could be prevented by a few moments of their time and that meant more quality time I got to spend at games,driving them places,entertaining their friends etc. Even their friends who frequently visited knew to do some of the little prevention tasks and would indeed let newcomers to our house know right off they had to do them too!!
Posted 2/8/2015 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
If one uses harsh methods instead of cleaning more often it takes off the finish on porcelain and ceramic surfaces. Once the surfaces are scratched it's too late and the only solution is replacement.

I only use the mildest cleanser (the one with the chicken) for tougher jobs. I use a soft toilet bowl "brush" with no bristles and only mop-like material. The sponge-type would probably be OK too. My tiny plastic hot tub gets treated with only a soft mitt and no harsh cleansers, only the stuff that's recommended.

The stainless kitchen sink will tolerate harsher cleanser with bleach, but never use that on softer materials! I have rental houses and give the proper cleaning tools to the tenants. I get them at a commercial store because they're not available elsewhere.

I've had all my porcelain for 35 years and it looks new today.
Posted 2/10/2015 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
I am not always able to get upstairs to clean. I put a spray bottle of kaboom in the shower and told everyone IF YOU S#@% HERE OR SHOWER HERE CLEAN THE TOILET AND TUB WHEN YOU ARE DONE! we have 3 bathrooms and I am lucky to keep mine clean
Posted 2/11/2015 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
sweeping and mopping. shoulders arms, muscular pain and arthritis. awesome thread daesin.
Posted 2/12/2015 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Turtle. So do you have a secret to getting through sweeping/mopping?

I can sweep a single room and then I am leveled for a while. If I am really careful I can get two rooms swept in a day...using bad hand on top always. If I switch hands then the neighbors get upset with all the screaming and cursing.

I am still struggling over some basic activities:
Washing dishes
loading/unloading dishwasher
loading/unloading washer or dryer
folding laundry

Any hints would be appreciated from anyone!!
Posted 2/13/2015 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Daesin, what's the issues with the bad hand. Can offer some advice on how to do things if I have a bit more info!
Posted 2/13/2015 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LexiRae (my goddaughter's name Elexia Rae),
Long story short....nerve compression/damage in neck shoulder elbow and wrist, cant life arm above shoulder level without screaming in pain... can't open doors or water bottles. Add a torn deltoid and rotator cuff damage and its pretty much kaput.
I am wide open for suggestions though. I had a guy who offered to come over and move the dryer so I could access it right handed (its up against wall) but the snow stopped that for a while.

***
I do have a hint for mopping. Spritz spot with cleaner and wipe with sock. Just pull the sock off once you sit down and put on fresh. A kitchen towel thrown on floor works pretty good too.
Posted 2/13/2015 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
so small motor functions of the fingers/wrist/hand are a no go basically? hmmm. Like grabbing, twisting, pinching, etc?

can you close your hand? make a fist? grab things at all? what about things with a wide enough handle/grip on them?

For the laundry, don't fold it. Use hangers for everything.

My friend who can't close her hand enough to hold a normal sponge, uses a wide handled scrub brush for doing the dishes.

She also uses one of those trash picker upper things, to avoid bending over, and having to grasp things. That could probably be helpful for loading/unloading the washer and dryer at least. Hmmm

Let me think some more once you get back to me again with your input.
Posted 2/13/2015 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
I have "irritated" all 3 major nerves in the arm, plus a few more in the shoulder and neck. I can sometimes make a full fist, it depends on how much swelling is there. That changes throughout the day. My fine motor skills are limited due the fingers being tingly and numb. The fun part is the spasms...my hand just stops holding things. No warning at all when gravity takes over. I have learned to hold mugs through the handle and cradled to my body...sucks when you spill hot tea, oh well. I can reach into the washer but holding and pulling wet (or dry) clothes is very painful. Thank goodness this isn't bilateral. I just couldn't...not both.

Its more of arm angle and movement that hinder my efforts. Along with nerves screaming, I lose blood circulation due to vascular compression in the neck/shoulder. So basic movements or positions can cause great pain. Pretty much anytime my arm isn't crossed over my belly the arm screams. But that position increases the tingle pain in the hand....yep, its a joy. I am just a ray of sunshine most days.

I am working on reclaiming small bits of activity, but its everything. I just took a shower. As you wrap the towel around you extend both arms out. I try to extend my arm every time and cry every time. Yes, I am stubborn and a slow learner. Poor dog woke up. A biscuit settled him back though.

Bending over isn't the problem so much as holding onto whatever I grab. I just have to teach myself how to sweep one armed. My house is mostly hardwood....very pretty, very dusty. Vacuuming is out as it pulls on both shoulders.

I have accepted the dust bunny communities under the furniture. I am considering bringing in the cats and throwing treats under different pieces. Then I can wipe the bunnies off their coats. Everyone is happy that way, well maybe not the bunnies. I will try the grabber on the laundry. Hangers are a great idea! This time of year it would cover most of the pieces.

Dishes are hard because of the angle you have to hold them. Next time you wash a cup or dish pay attention to how much each hand is used. it is amazing how dexterous our bodies are supposed to be.

Thanks for the wonderful thoughts. please keep them coming!
Posted 2/13/2015 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
This use to bother my ex,accused me of being lazy!! Lol you get the ex part now? I have said this here numerous times in numerous threads but a very long time ago I discovered that my $20 rolling computer chair was my best friend and I could raise it high enough to reach the sink and fill the dishwasher,not a lot of arm and shoulder movement involved here because I'm not reaching so much and certainly not a great deal of bending,I can get a good height and roll around the hardwood and tile floors using a towel and dust,sweep or even mop,wipe off cabinets and easily reach right into the dryer with my trusty chair at its lowest levels. Now I suppose to someone who doesn't know me and my history of raising 5 little kids as a single mostly CP Mom it seems lazy but I got the job done without putting myself down for days on end after cleaning day and my now adult children invested in a much more ortho friendly chair for me and I even have a backup new one waiting in the closet in case something happens to mine when the stores not open. Yes I don't have to bend over at the tub either and that's the best thing of all. Not sure if anyone's ever thought about raising the tub from floor level a bit,like a platform used under the new front loading washer/dryers but I think that it would be a good idea.
Posted 2/14/2015 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have developed a new relationship with my office chair...why did I ignore it before? I did rip the arms off though...cant rest my arm on anything like that.

Even if the tub were floor level it would still be a step in and out. I hate that baths are more of a pain than a joy anymore. The dog is nodding his head...lol
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