Advice on pain & loneliness

[Peggy76]

I would like to have someone to,talk to about my painful osteoporosis of my rib cage shoulders &knees also. Chronic kidneys also heat failure but I have a pacemaker . I’m on a lot of medication but can only have paracetamol & small dose of oxynorm for pain relief because of my kidneys.im housebound &really don’t know how long I can go on,just crying &not sleeping well,any advice will be appreciated.Peggy x❤️

[Realfoodieclub]

I am so sorry it is so tough for you at the moment. As much I would love to help we are a very little forum with not many active members. The Kidney forum might have more people around to support you. It is really tough when you feel the way you do. Does your doctors surgery have any support groups for their patients as face to face support would be good for you. It might be worth having a word with your Gp about how you feel and ask him for practical advice rather than medicinal advice. I hope things ease up a bit for you. Here is the link for the kidney support group on Healthunlocked, They will understand about the medicines you can’t take.

healthunlocked.com/nkf-ckd/...

[suryakaizen]

Dear dear Peggy76, I’m sorry for how you’re feeling. It must be tough to deal with multiple health problems. I suffer from osteoarthritis in the knees. I do know that Vitamin D helps improve bone and muscle health. Sitting in sunlight (before noon) for just half an hour a day can help the body absorb calcium from sunlight. You might want to try it.

Just doing slow deep breathing for 5-10 minutes at night may help ease your sleep problems. And remember, I and other members here might not be near you but we are there with you in spirit... big hug to you. Lakshmi

[Peggy76 in reply to suryakaizen]

Hello . Thank you for replying &&kind words I really needed them,I will talk later .or real soon, love &huggys

Peggy x

[runswithdogs]

Sorry to hear you are dealing with so much. If you are homebound, you might also be able to find a virtual support group via videofeed. Also, definitely ask at the doctor to see what auxiliary support there might be in your area. I can personally say that support groups with other people suffering is so helpful.

[Peggy76]

Hello .i don’t know of any support groups,sadly they are not doing anything in my area ,to add to it all I get panicked when I see or hear anything ,I think I’m a real pain to everyone not that have said anything only helpful God bless you all.

Hugs Peggy 💕❤️💕

[wiserlady in reply to Peggy76]

Not sure how a support group can help a housebound person who cannot get out! Anyway nowadays suport groups are usually online, that way they can have many more members and chatter no matter where they live, instead of someone supposedly becoming unhousebound to go along there to find that nobody turned up. Also it costs a lot of money to run a group that meets up, and very few would be willing to pay for all that for the group. The group rarely covers its costs because few can pay or are willing to pay their share. Groups that people go to are very time consuming to run too, and unless you are very good at decision making and smart you would make a mess of it and then it closes down.

[Hidden in reply to wiserlady]

Support can be given through kind conversation, being housebound doesn't mean you can't receive comfort, support, advice, etc etc

[wiserlady in reply to Hidden]

Yes I know. But where is the right support group, who runs it, what do you take part in it for and so on? Many are run by people who are housebound who do it because they are bored and stuck at home all day, with the others coming and going as their lives go up and down. The virus meant that suddenly lots of people would join groups, but months later many of those people do not bother anymore, either because the group didnt give them what they want or they have changed their life style and adjusted to the virus problems in such a way they no longer need the group.

I run 5 very busy groups.

[Hidden in reply to wiserlady]

I'm not sure I understand your point? I was just pointing out that support groups do not necessarily have to include meetings or gatherings, we have several support groups in my own community who support people by phone or even messaging, this is great for those who cannot get out and about, my point was that even housebound people deserve support

[wiserlady]

Hi Peggy, Of course we are different ages and in very different situations and different people, but I am housebound and know how lonely it can be. It can make you feel as if every day just goes on and on and you are glad when it is over doesnt it. I am seeking some telephone friends so that we can regularly speak to each other when alone and wanting a friendly voice to speak to.

[xol623]

Loneliness can be very hard, I know. Having been widowed a couple of years ago (after a decade of being a carer) I too feel very lonely at times, even though I have a full time job. My only child (now in her thirties) lives abroad and I can only visit every two to three months. Things that have helped me are: having radio 4 on in the background, having dogs to look after, keeping up with distant friends via social media, and joining local clubs - I volunteer at the local allotment club, operating the till every few weeks. I have joined the local camera club and go there each week. This all helps. Wet Sundays are still a challenge but I set myself a project to do, and take before and after photos to impress myself 🤣🤣🤣( I know, but it helps so that's fine) Keeping your mind focussed on something -anything- does help. Today's list is tidy the spare room, which needs major time spent on it, and bath one of the dogs. I'm also going to spend some time in the garden between showers as that lifts my mood too.

I hope those ideas help you 😁😀😀

[wiserlady in reply to xol623]

Am very busy thanks, I work full time from home, running a business, with a lot of staff and clients. I already run a charity and many other things too, am very resourceful etc. its is just being stuck indoors all of the time, often alone, something that advice and making decisions cannot change.

[Hank99 in reply to xol623]

Local parkruns are always looking for volunteers and they are a very friendly crowd who take great pride in the therapeutic benefits the provide.

[veriterc]

Excuse me if you have already tried these.... but,

1. Have you been referred to the pain clinic at your local major hospital? I found they have some excellent new treatments, and were very helpful. But you have to suggest tactfully to your doctor that you need to go to this specialist clinic (not just see the GP),

2. Hospital transport is used to taking bedbound people to hospital for clinic appointmments - and the Ambulance drivers are often a fun bunch. Your doctor can refer you for this.

[wiserlady in reply to veriterc]

I am not bedbound, housebound. And not in pain. I work full time. And the transport to hospital was all sorted out years ago.

[veriterc]

Sorry - your comments sounded so unhappy, and what you wrote sounded as if you were stuck at home and unable to get out. Glad you can.

[wiserlady in reply to veriterc]

Stuck at home yes, does not mean bed bound or disabled in such a way. I dont need advice. If there was something I could do to improve things I have done it already.