Tag: chronic pain

Life of a Mum

Rheumatoid helpers

motherhoodafterivf

My rheumatoid arthritis isn’t something I talk/write about often. But it is a huge part of my life; I have to take lots of nasty meds, and it restricts what I can eat, drink and physically do.

I’ve found there’s a few things that definitely help with my rheumatoid symptoms- so thought I’d share with those of you who are also living with RA or another spoonie illness

CBD

At the moment I’m loving Columbia care CBD oil (peppermint flavour) and capsules. They are a must have to improves sleep, and I think they ease my pain, swelling and stiffness too.

Columbia Care Insta gave me the code ‘IVFninjafree’ for the first 50 uses go to https://www.shop.col-care.uk/shop to get (pay for postage only) you can choose from the oil or capsules.

I also love Browns CBD gummies and calming balm. I find the gummies are great to have in my bag (handy for anxiety) and the balm (also containing wintergreen) is helpful when I have sore/swollen/stiff joints.

Compression Gloves I’ve tried a few different makes and types. My preference is the IMAK gloves or copper gloves.

IMAK glove
Copper glove

The IMAK gloves are definitely the ones that feel the most compressive; I like to squeeze my tender joints (like rubbing a bruise) so if you to your these may work well. Buy IMAK gloves on amazon

The copper gloves are definitely more gentle and comfortable with more stretch. Buy copper gloves on Amazon oooh and they’re more cost effective too.

Foot splints Although the best option is specifically made orthotics (splints and insoles) I have been waiting for this for months so purchased my own. They do the job – great for in the house but wouldn’t be comfortable with footwear on. They seem to help straighten my toes, so I get less pain from ‘wonk’ and overlap. Buy Foot/big toe splint from Amazon

Weighted blanket I love my weighted blanket. Literally the comfort of a big hug, helps calm the limbs when you just want to keep moving them. It’s important to get a blanket in accordance with your weight- it should be approx 10% of your body weigh. I’m just over 60kg so use a 6 kg blanket. Such as this one from Amazon

Let me know what you think if you try these, or recommend something new.

Amazon links are AFF links- I earn money if you buy. The cbd I was gifted but not affiliate/commission

Guest Blogs, Other fabulous ladies

Disabled vs Mum of 2- guest blog

motherhoodafterivf
How would you feel if every single day you woke up in pain, went through the day in pain and went to sleep in pain?
How would you feel if your back felt like someone had been continuously kicking it everyday?
How would you feel if it felt like your legs constantly were about to buckle from underneath you? 
You’d want to stay in bed right? Now imagine that but you can’t stay in bed. Why? Because you’re a mum. Motherhood takes over all illness and pain and as much as you’d like to just rest, that’s not an option. Instead it’s a constant battle of suppressing the pain you are feeling with functioning like a normal human being, a normal mum, giving the best for your kids. 

I am struggling every single day but I don’t want this to be my life so I carry on. I take the boys out, I go to groups, I do everything I can for them.
All the time ignoring the agony I am feeling. People often ask if I want a hand, if I need help but my brain isn’t disabled and doesn’t like accepting help. I want to be normal. I still can’t accept that I can’t do things like normal people. This weekend I have done 2 activities… I am now paying for it. It shouldn’t be like this but it is. Because I often don’t use my braces or stick or crutches I often appear to be completely normal, no one realising the battle of pain my body is going through just by being out.
It hurts to get up and down.
It hurts to kneel.
It hurts to run.
Yet if I don’t do these things I feel judged.
Oh she’s lazy, oh she’s just too fat, oh she just can’t be bothered; just a few thoughts that run through my head.

Please remember to be kind to other mum’s, you may not be able to see the invisible battle they are fighting inside.

This is my reality. I am and forever will be an invisible disabled mum. One day I will come to accept that.