Pain management & housework, household chores etc

[notsparklynow]

I'm sorry guys, I'm going to have a whinge cos I feel sore and hate housework

I cleaned the bathroom a couple of weeks ago and hurt for 2 days afterwards should've known better than to clean the sink, bath, tiles and floor all in one day. I did take breaks though so I thought it would help. Obviously not...

So difficult to get all the jobs done that I need to... trying to train my children to get more tidy so I don't have to do as much. Jobs where things are on the floor are much worse, and of course lots of stuff ends up on the floor with 2 kids!

I hate hoovering, sweeping and mopping (but used to love them until I got hurty) cos they hurt my hips and arms
I hate ironing cos it hurts my elbows and hands and standing too long hurts (yes I can lower the ironing board to sit but then can't easily reach all the way across the garment I'm ironing)
I hate washing up - thankfully I have a dishwasher
My husband does the quilt and we do the bottom sheet together
My tumble-dryer is not in the same room as my washing machine due to lack of space, so I have to get my husband to carry the basket for me each time (he gets really fed up of it)

In a couple of weeks, we're having a big swap-around of furniture (swapping rooms) and I don't think I will be able to do anything useful. I suspect my husband will rope his dad in to help move stuff cos I can't help - what can I do so I don't feel completely useless??? I don't like not being able to get up and do things I used to (or doing them and hurting for days afterwards) and just don't know how to strike the balance.

It would be great to swap ideas on how to cope with the everyday stuff as well as the infrequent.

Thanks

[Rosie]

Hiya

Not really an answer for your question, just a suggestion. Invest in a small wheeled trolley that you can use to get your washing from the washing machine to the tumble dryer. I used to have both my washing machine and tumble dryer on platforms that raised them up by about 9 inches, it made it so much easier to get the clothes in and out.

Rosie

[juliepops]

This is all too familiar

there are so many things I either can't do at all or just can't do them as thoroughly as I'd like to. My lovely hubby is great at helping but I feel quite guilty that I HAVE to rely on him so much. He works really long days and also does a lot for his Dad who has alziemers. Our washing machine and dryer are in the garage. I tend to sort the washing in the evening then next day hubby puts the basket infront of the machine before he heads to work. I can then load up and transfer to dryer. Just invested in a basket on wheels to take it to the washing line if I have the energy to do it !My ironing basket is constantly full as I can only stand to iron a few things at a time. I HATE IRONING so never clearing the basket is like torture cos it's just there all the time. Thankfully my son has grasped that if I can't cope with our stuff then I definately can't do the pile of washing he brings home from uni with him!!! Actually he's even learning to tidy up after himself too

I am very blessed to have good support from my family and am learning just to let things go

Julie

[notsparklynow]

Thanks ladies. I like the idea of a trolley or basket on wheels, must look for a decent sized one.
I feel completely rubbish today because I was tidying yesterday and my ribs are really hurting now. I must have bent over too much I just want to cry, I feel so useless.
I don't know my limits yet, and it's painful finding out!

[star gazer]

lakeland sell a trolley box with pull out handle and wheels, they also do a bucket on wheels it is a large rectangle shape so fits a long mop head the lady that comes to help me at home uses it to move everything from room to room.
shame lakeland don't sell anything that does the ironing for you and puts it all away
s g xx

[shirleytx7]

This is a small thing but I was not able to use a regular dustpan and brush and so when I swept the floor my husband or son would have to get down and finish the floor for me. I now have a industrial dustpan and brush on long handles so can do the job myself. I know it's only a little thing but it's one less thing I need help with. As to the rest of my house I am not sure I would cope if it wasn't for my husband who helps so much with reaching and lifting things from cabinets, carrying the laundry (good tip about the basket on wheels, I will have to look into that)and so much more. One more thing after my back surgery I purchased a grab stick so I can pick up lighter items from the floor without having to bend. It is also good for getting cereal, etc from upper cabinets.

[Lou661]

I've realised over the past couple of months how much of a lifesaver my dishwasher was. The heating element has packed in so we're back to handwashing and it leaves me with a sore back because the sink is just that wee bit to low. It's also helped me realise just how much of a help my kids are, emptying and filling the dishwasher was their job so it was something I never really gave any thought to. They help with drying and putting away now but they're not great at washing. So yeah...my biggest tip for pacing...get the kids to help.

[vh86]

Hi

I'm new on here. Just wondering if anyone has any tips/devices to help with washing up? I find I have to soak everything in a bowl of hot water for up to an hour before I can try and clean the dishes and even then it's a struggle. I just don't seem to have the strength in my hands to do it properly.

Also has anyone got one of those robot hoovers? I'm thinking of saving up for one as I plan to be living on my own next year and I know that I can't manage the hoovering and I don't want to have to get my mum to come over to do my hoovering every week! They don't do the stairs unfortunately, but some of the reviews sound pretty good.

Victoria xxx

[sueiz]

Have you tried putting another bowl u nder your washing up bowl, to raise the height of the water?

something I was told years ago by an OT.

[Kattykins]

That is a fantastic idea!

[vh86]

Thanks, I will try that. I was talking to someone at work who said she thought she had some kind of electric washing up brush that she bought for her mum. She said she would have a look for me, so I will let you know if she finds it and if its any use.

[Lou661]

Getting back into the swing of hand washing..biggest tips are make sure all plates,cups etc are rinsed off assoon as they're finished with, saves stuff getting dried on. Also I've been uding a dishmatic washing-up brush that the liquid goes in, it's a bit easier to hold than a cloth or sponge.

[Fluffym]

Hi Victoria

I have a Roomba vac which hoovers for me. It's brilliant. He is at work in my dining room as I type! He gets up a lot of muck and dust and has been a life saver for me. He does not cope well with lots of clutter on the floor so go for a minimalist effect. That way I can cut down on the dusting too! He does not cope on stair, however and I do occasionally have to go round the edges of the room with another hoover attachment not to do with the Roomba. Hope this helps.

fluffym

[loosebones]

After my 1st week at Stanmore my weekend goal was to do the hoovering in my bedroom and lounge. I had discussed a plan with my OT and thought I would give it a go today. It involved getting the hoover and plugging it in. Then resting. I chose advert breaks on the tv to do each small part. The next advert break I cleared the floor in one room. Then sat down again. The next break I hoovered part of the room, then sat down. Then hoovered the next bit. Now the room was hoovered I sat down for longer and treated myself to something nice as a reward.
Next I did the same in the other room. I'm now sat down in a nicely hoovered lounge watching tv and rewarding myself with a punnet of strawberries! I don't feel too bad and am proud of myself for achieving this.

[DeeNJai]

congratulations on doing the lounge. I hope that you were successful in doing the other room.
dee