Learning to Slow Down with Ankylosing Spondylitis

By momof1

2 min read

For once, I haven't had constant flares, I think it has to do w/ my left hip replacement in July of this year. I thought, "Hey, I could probably do more now since I have more energy and less pain."
WRONG!

Pushing my body to the limit

I decided yesterday to do some lawn work using the edger we have. One side of the house was looking more and more like a jungle and it used to take me maybe an hour to do the whole thing.

So here I am, clipping the little trees that started growing against the house, entwining into the wires that are there. Very dangerous. So, I have 3 different pairs of clippers or shears to get at the root of these little trees.

Problem - My hands are still stiff and hurt when I squeeze anything like scissors or shears, and the roots by this time, since it's been two years that anyone did any lawn work, were so thick. I was using all my strength, twisting, placing my knees on the ends and trying to cut through them.

Working through the pain

Hahahaha...the only thing I got were scrapes, cuts, things poking me in the eyes and my knees now feeling as if a mallet is being slammed into them.

Yup, I'm stubborn. I did NOT want to give up.

But, I'm slowly learning I just can't do things exactly how I used to without causing more damage and pain.

So, today I had P.T for my hip and explained why my knees looked like swollen balloons, and why I had scratches and cuts all up and down my arms.

The P.T. said, "So what did you learn from those three hours of stubborness?"

Learning to slow down with ankylosing spondylitis

I said, "Well, I need to take things slower, do a little at a time and get new knees." lol At least I got him to laugh.

Now, to put more ice on my knees, lol. Have a good night all!!

And learn to slow down, we can't always do it all in one day!!

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Mari Member
Read these comments accidently & they couldn't sound more true to me.
momof1 Member
Yup. that's how it is for me every day. I have to fight to remind myself to slow down. Well, that usually works. But last night I felt so pretty darned good, I decided to try & start getting the Christmas things out & so vacuumed 2 rooms, took down curtains to clean....lol, 3 hrs later, thought I was going to die. I didn't get up until 10 this morning. I just laid there thinking, " WHAT was I thinking?" It's like anything u have to adapt to, it takes time. Good for you understanding that & trying to slow down!!
Digory Member
Oh yeah this resonates with me. I just started Humira this month and it immediately started making me feel better. I walked the dog extra long, cooked and cleaned the kitchen, and we went shopping, too. I got home and sat down, meandered to the bedroom, and crashed for like 8 hours. I was dead to the world. I was coming home from work with swollen ankles and knees. Co-workers were like “woah, you’re running!” … yeah just because I CAN do something doesn’t always mean I SHOULD do it. I move so slow now when walking at work. It’s not a race and I feel better at the end of 8 hours on my feet
momof1 Member
well 1st off, I thank u for your concern! My flares haven't come to an end, they're just less often & I'll take that! lol My knees aren't in as much pain, as long as I keep my activities to a minimum. Which is so hard to do but unless I want to be in bed for a few days, I need to keep reminding myself-to take it easy. The funny thing is, is I'm only 57, but w/ all my issues you would think I'm 90, lol. Just keep reminding yourself that u can only do so much and have a great day!
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="momof1" user-id="2396995"/> , Firstly, I am so happy to hear that your constant flares have come to an end after the hip replacement! How is the hip itself feeling now? I have definitely learned the hard way that I need to take it a bit easy on my body. Actually I have had this lesson multiple times, so I suppose I am still trying to learn it! It can be a bit frustrating sometimes to do things in instalments or end things early. But as tempting as powering through usually is, it usually comes with painful consequences for me the next day! Thanks for raising a very important point, I definitely needed this reminder! How are the knees now? I hope the ice helped the recovery! Best wishes, James (Community Member)