Oh to 'play hockey and trip the light fantastic' can't even even open a water bottle!

[Jaxine]

Wouldnt it be marvellous to have someone invent easier ways to open tins, water bottles, wine bottles, basically everything with a lid! Even kitchen sprays and squeeze bottles can be a challenge, and dont get me started on child proof containers! My teeth have started to get a battering 😂! Not sure how it could be accomplished but wow what an invention it would be. I totally took everything for granted in my pre RA days. Would love to dive back in time and have just a few weeks of my old self, gleefully skipping around 'tripping the light fantastic' I had hands and wrists like an ox and even played first division hockey for Cornwall ! Now I cant even open a water bottle! Onwards and upwards. X

[Lolabridge]

Yes it does all come as a bit of a shock ... best to not try to recall too often those good old days!

May I recommend the old fashioned type of nutcrackers for childproof bottle lids, switch to milk in glass bottles if you struggle with the plastic type (I do), a skewer to put through the hole in the water bottle stopper to turn it or just use microwaveable bottles, and treat yourself to a Good Grips jar opener.

Otherwise, a live-in house maid/au pair/toy boy could be the answer! x

[patsymay13 in reply to Lolabridge]

Great tip about the nut crackers Lola 👌

[Jaxine in reply to patsymay13]

My husbund fits that bill!😂😂 I have used my imagination on the opening tools but it s very frustrating! Oh it s okay to think of our past when we were at the height of our game, doesnt help the present to be sure!

[Pat9442 in reply to patsymay13]

Forget the nutcrackers - I’ll take the toy boy!

[Jaxine in reply to Pat9442]

😂😂😂😂

[Jaxine in reply to Lolabridge]

I've tried to use pliers but when my hands and wrists are not working I don t even have the strength to twist!

[Mall in reply to Lolabridge]

Toy boy or handsome butler will do for me.🤣

[Jaxine in reply to Mall]

They are out there 😃

[AgedCrone]

Look up the Care shop.....they have gadgets to open everything

[Jaxine in reply to AgedCrone]

Will do. X

[springcross]

Hi Jaxine. There is a tool which Lakeland (and others) sell for opening tins with ring pulls (about a fiver). It has a lever at both ends and what I do is slightly raise the ring and slide the lever at the long end under it just to raise it up more, then slide the lever at the head under the ring and lever it back. There is almost no effort needed, it's so easy. I have had mine for about twenty years (maybe more) now and I wouldn't be without it. As regards opening bottles jars etc, I cut a piece of anti-slip underlay off of a roll and if hubby's not around to do it for me, I use that to wrap around the jar or bottle cap which makes it so much easier to twist. It's that stuff you can get from Dunelm etc (I got my last roll a couple of weeks ago from Lidl - it was about a fiver, it grips so well and makes it quite easy.

lakeland.co.uk/AllProductRe...

offerscheck.co.uk/non-slip-...

[Jaxine in reply to springcross]

I normally use my plastic gloves, but was just thi king of new inventions, maybe I will go into my study and come up with a new invention! X

[KittyJ]

As others have already said there already are those gadgets that have been invented a long time ago and things are getting better all the time.

Here are some I use,

completecareshop.co.uk/

nrshealthcare.co.uk/mobilit...

careco.co.uk/

I’ve always had lots of aids, if it’s something that’ll help you then get it. I also look for easier options for bottles etc that I would struggle with, ie. a reusable bottle that I know I can open as it has a wide lid, check lids before buying. I don’t buy products I know I can’t use. You do get used to automatically looking for easy to use things. Plus remember you may not need them once you’re stable on meds. Make things easier for yourself whilst you need it 😊

[Jaxine in reply to KittyJ]

Gosh I'm way out of date! Thank you x

[KittyJ in reply to Jaxine]

😂 🤗

[medway-lady]

Worst thing for me is one of those big posh crisp packets. Or the small biscuit packs. I imagine its easier to bite off a bootle top. lol

[Jaxine in reply to medway-lady]

😂😂😂😂😂 I cant open those either!

[HappykindaGal]

Who cares about the water bottles. Now wine bottles....🤷🏼‍♀️ You have a point there 😂😂📣

[Jaxine in reply to HappykindaGal]

😂😂😂😂 I'll always find a way to open those!

[Sarahg62]

Know how you feel. Played hockey for 25 years - had to give up 25 years ago as couldn’t cope any more 😢. Luckily I have a husband who opens things for me - it is soooo frustrating 😡

[Jaxine in reply to Sarahg62]

I want the old me back!! Never going to happen though 😭

[Sarahg62 in reply to Jaxine]

I realised that about 20 years into my RA life 😜

[Jaxine in reply to Sarahg62]

So I'm still a newbie then it s only been 18 months. Is your RA controlled?

[Sarahg62 in reply to Jaxine]

40 years 😢. It has been, but recently having a few glitches !!

[Jaxine in reply to Sarahg62]

My goodness that is a lo ng time! What drugs do you take?, if you dont mind me asking.

[Sarahg62 in reply to Jaxine]

Currently. Humira, methotrexate, folic acid and a top up of prednisolone now and then.

[Mmrr]

I can so empathise with you, from mountain goat (great hill walker) to couch potatoe in the blink of an eye. But hey, ho ....

[Jaxine]

I come from Cornwall I used love all the cliff walks I just sit and watch everyone else now so sad!

[orange33]

Hi Jaxine, I have trouble opening everything. It’s a challenge almost every day.imagine trying to open a bar of chocolate it’s torture😖😖. Hope you find ways round it all.take care.

[Jaxine in reply to orange33]

Nearly broke my finger taking clothes off my drier! Chocolate 😂😂

[Harry_20]

I’m only a year in since diagnosis and already I feel that sense of loss. Like a bereavement. Counting blessings, singing as I go, etc, etc .... but deep down sad to say goodbye to the old me. 🥵

[Jaxine in reply to Harry_20]

Hi Harry, Yes at first I had so many mixed emotions I cried my eyes out, literally searched for every reason why it was happening to me blamed my father who suffered from Chrones disease (as it s all an auto immune disease) cursed my brothers for having no health problems! Then acceptance and just embraced it, until I started on a cocktail of medication that literally ripped me apart! I had 9 months feeling great then wham! it s kicked me in the face again and invited all their mates into the ring! Horrible disease! Take care hope, you are controlled on your meds.

[Harry_20 in reply to Jaxine]

Thanks. Recently changed meds and had very tough two months. Coming out the other end and feeling more hopeful again. Like you, I’ve always been very active and busy so it’s hard to accept. I felt as if I had lost my identity at first but, with lots of support from family and friends, I am gradually rebuilding my life around what I CAN do and stop thinking of what I can’t /used to love. It’s a day by day endeavour, two forward/one (or maybe two/three) back.

[Jaxine in reply to Harry_20]

Yes agreed. Just have to take one day at a time. I was 55 when diagnosed was very active too, could not believe how fast it struck me down, literally over night! I just feel blessed I did not get diagnosed when younger and we have so many more drugs on offer as opposed to years ago when being diagnosed would have been unbearable. My nephews child was diagnosed at age 2 bless her. However, it s still our own journey and cross to bear.

[Gladders]

It's always Bleach bottles that frustrate me the most - I'm constantly trying new gadgets as get annoyed and upset having to ask for help opening things.

[Jaxine in reply to Gladders]

Bleach bottles literally hate them, bain of my life!