Partner seeking tips
Hi everyone.
My partner is a fellow sufferer of anky/axial and over the past few weeks or so she has been suffering quite a bit more with her flare ups and has been in a lot more pain than usual to the point where she has had to rely on the use of her crutches to get around and do things more than she usually would have to.
I have done a fair bit of research into the condition so i can A) get a much better understanding of what she suffers from and what she had to through on a daily basis and B) what things I can do to assist her In helping to relieve some of her pain.
Even though I have done some research myself I wanted to start this discussion to get some advice from people who unfortunately suffer from the same condition that she does as i feel that you guys and girls could give me better first hand advice and tips as to what stretches I could help her and how best I could try to help her day to day life be that little bit easier for her.
I hope it is ok to post this myself as I am not a fellow sufferer of the condition but watching my beautiful and amazing girlfriend having to go through what she had to go through as well managing her complex mental health everyday is of course inspiring to see her being so strong, it is also incredibly upsetting and difficult for me to watch her on her bad days and not being able to help her as much as I think that I could.
Especially as recently her flare ups are a daily occurance at the moment.
Thank you and appreciation in advance for any help or advice any of you can give me so I can help my partners life that be that little be easier for her
Of course you are welcome here. Thanks for stopping by.
Your support plays a huge role in helping her. It’s nice to know someone is in your corner and sympathetic.
Stress is a huge factor but the next big thing is my diet. When I have a flare I have found eating low fat, high protein and avoid gluten. I’m not allergic but it seems I am sensitive and even more so during a flare. Which makes my stiffness and swelling much worse.
I also switched muscle relaxers. I was against them
Thanks for being supportive. Sometimes, the pain and stiffness is so great even stretches are too difficult. Many recommend an epson salt bath, but if your partner is like me, I cannot get in/out of a tub. I start each day in the recliner with a heating pad on my back. I have one the extends the length of my back and my shoulders. After about an hour, I am generally less stiff. When the pain ramps up too much, I use a cane similar to a canadian crutch for balance. I also ask my doctor for a toradol shot. While that is short acting sometimes it is enough to break the cycle. If your partner is not on a biological, it is time to talk about one or change the one he/she is on. I am on my 4th biological and ready to say it is not helping. Know we empathize and they are not alone.
pahair4 Thank you for joining the conversation and offering what works best for you. A warm heating pad, ice packs, TENS unit, canes, walker, walking shoes, and comfy clothes, are all tools we use to ease the neverending pain that comes with axial spondyloarthritis. And for those suffering, there are so many more ways to ease this. Here is a link to articles offering up more options. https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/complementary-alternative-medicine
You spoke of a toradol shot - it's a wonderful way to reduce the cycle of a flare. Here is a link with information on flares. https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/search?s=flares.
As you mentioned, another is biological medications. Many times we must use trial and error to find just the right medication to ease the enthesitis and full body pain we get with this disease. I tried 4 as well without success. I am on my 5th biologic and getting the best relief I've had since being diagnosed. It has reduced my pain by 50%. There are risks that come along with using these medications, but you must weigh the option carefully - the first four I tried I had some side effects that I wasn't willing to cope with. And, I didn't find much relief with them therefore I moved on after 3-6 months of the drug. Here's a link to some articles referring to biologics and their benefit for those managing their AxSpA. https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/search?s=biologics
pahair4 We so appreciate you jumping on and adding to the discussion - it certainly is necessary to find good coping skills, and treatment options especially for individuals helping their partner. Hoping that you are managing well enough and your pain is low this month. Wishing you the best ending winter and jumping into spring. Warmly ~ Rebecca (Axialspondyloarthritis.net community moderator)
Thank you for being your partner's advocate. I read your post to my partner and he said, "this is how I feel". My partner, unfortunately, just shattered his arm and so we both have some challenges at the moment. While the pain is worsening, having my partner support me by sharing space, calling doctors when I am too fatigued, and taking me to the doctor helps tremendously. I spent the first two years living on my own as we dated long distance but now we are together.
I will say that sometimes he wants to do everything for me and having been a very independent and active person until this diagnosis, it is important that he still lets me do what I can. But everyone is different. And sometimes I learn that doing things myself is to my detriment physically, but it is important to still have some sense of autonomy. Again, this is my perspective.I have a progressive form of Axial and Peripheral Spondyloarthitis with ankylosing in my thoracic spine and my abilities are getting fewer and fewer and so this is important for me.
I wish you both the best. Again, thank you for being such a supportive partner.
