Broken bed!

[JulianJ]

Well last night after waking a few times and the regulation walks to the bathroom my bed broke!

Nothing major, just a strip of wood that holds the slats in place.

Well getting out of bed this morning was fun, most mornings are hard, trying to push myself up of the bed, but those extra inches really mad it hard.

Well after work I got around to fixing the bed, get a few holes drilled and screws in place. Not me doing the work, got my son to do it, well most, needed to explain and show him as he doesn't do DIY, well I don't really, but I can do a bit!

After kneeling on the floor. doing up 1 screw and moving a clamp between screw holes, job done.

Now a few hours later I'm paying for it, arms, knees, back and shoulders.

I know not to push myself doing silly things, but this had to be done and I only did a fraction of the work, so glad I only did 1 screw and didn't drill any of the holes!

On the plus side, I'm starting the move to 7mg on the DSNS taper

[HeronNS]

Glad you had help. Was joint diy project a bonding experience?

However, when I hear your description of how you feel I question whether you're really ready for a taper at this point. Are you sure?

[JulianJ in reply to HeronNS]

HeronNS ,

I'm sure I'm ready to take the next step. I was heading towards 6mg a few months ago, but raised it by a couple of mg. I do watch how I feel and after a few flares in going down 1mg every 4 weeks I've now changed to a very slow taper. I'm sure I'll be going up again and will do if and when it needs to be done.

The problem in getting out of bed is due to it being low and it's hard with my knees bent so far.

As for the DIY being a bonding experience, well it got my son away from his computer for a few minutes, even made him get the tools we needed.

I know I'm limited in what I can do, I can't even get all the shopping that the misses brings into the house, used to pick up 4 or 5 bags and carry them with no problem, the other day I struggled with 1 loaded bag!

And tomorrow I get a new custom build chair for work, have to be shown how to use it!

[HeronNS in reply to JulianJ]

Ah, adventure after adventure! Do tell us about the chair once you've mastered its features. Cheers!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Julian,

Just remember that around 7mg can be a sticky time for many - adrenal glands and all that malarkey, so a drop of 1/2mg might be in order.

Glad you’ve got the bed sorted, and custom chair sounds fun even though it will probably be a 12year old who will have to explain how it works. Have fun. 😉😊

[JulianJ in reply to DorsetLady]

I have been at 7mg before and heading to 6mg, but couldn't manage it. Went back to 9mg and changed my tapper, well after a couple of weeks I started a new tapper. Much better going from 9mg to 8 mg, now at the end of the first old, new cycle. Tonight I start the second cycle

As for the chair, yes, I expect it will be a youth! After all they can use computers, so a chair with levers and pumps will be no problem for them. I have to say I'm looking forward to see how the seat works, it's supposed to fold down atg the fron so that it's easier to stand!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to JulianJ]

We shall look forward to a photo 😉

[JulianJ in reply to DorsetLady]

I was thinking the same, will get one and post today or tomorrow.

The chair delivery is due about the time I leave work so I may leave it today.

[JulianJ in reply to JulianJ]

Well here it is, my new office chair:

photos.app.goo.gl/3QkYAQA8r...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to JulianJ]

Very swish!

[JulianJ in reply to DorsetLady]

Indeed, what was interesting is they way we should be sitting.

Most office chairs don't go high enough, this chair goes higher than normal office chairs. Also the arm rests can be set to the width you want, not just the height.

Nothing major new to most in adjustments, but the front seat is split and can be turned down as desired, custom length, lumber and thoracic support via pumps. The seat slides back and forth, but I had that on my other seat.

And of course, plenty of padding

[JulianJ]

Well after yesterdays exertions I had a better nights sleep, would have only woken 3 times if it wasn't for the misses waking me when she got out of bed. Knees not back to normal, but I didn't expect them to be. I had to kneel on the floor and that has always been a pain which I blame on riding motorbikes.

Hay ho, onwards and upwards

[IdasMum]

JulianJ Why are you travelling to the loo so much at night?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to IdasMum]

Hi, could say he’s a man of a certain age - but I wouldn’t be so rude! 😇

[JulianJ in reply to DorsetLady]

I think that's it!

It's the waking that's more of a problem.

If I drank less in the evening, then the visits to the loo are less, but I like my mugs of tea.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JulianJ]

Mugs of tea belong in the morning - in my case, before even getting out of bed...

[JulianJ in reply to PMRpro]

I have my first as soon as I get to work, about 7am, then another 3 or 4 along with a couple of bottles of water. Not much in the afternoon, maybe just water. Then home and a few more mugs and a couple of glasses of water.

Should really reduce them a bit!

[Hidden]

My centre wood doodah twisted the other week and I found myself gradually ending up in v shaped bed. Eventually thought I'd better look at it before it trapped me and I ended up as a story in.paper. it is very hard task. Mainly pulling mattress about by myself. I was straight into the bed afterwards and suffered for a week but had comfy sleep.😲😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Nothing worse than when your centre doodah gets twisted I find 🤨

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

They can't touch you for it though

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Boom, boom! Tish! 🤨

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

[GCA1947]

Dear JulianJ

Those with high blood pressure may have additional medications called diuretics to help the movement of fluid in the body. Yes I've always had high blood pressure brought home to me when I absently scratched my foot breaking into an artery and watched the fountain shoot passed my head, never did find out where it went but the geyser was spectacular. I'm on 2 Spironolactone and Furosimide and I'm out 4 or 5 times a night but can't make it into the bathroom so have a bottle beside the bed.

And on that little piece of info. I'll stop

Regards

Colin

[JulianJ in reply to GCA1947]

I'm on a blood pressure tablet, just Amlodipine, nothing else for the blood.

Just waking and I think, should I or shouldn't I!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to GCA1947]

Really too much info Colin, especially first thing in the morning😊😊🤔

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd really suggest that if you can do so little maybe you shouldn't be reducing any further!

Or maybe a bit of good physio advice to build up your leg muscles might be a good idea - I can stand from sitting with no problems or assistance even after 14 years of PMR and well over 8 years of pred.

[JulianJ in reply to PMRpro]

The standing is to do with my knees and low levels, getting out of a dining table or office chair isn't a problem. Same with my Jeep, but my MX5, different story!

I do need to investigate the issue. I was ill between Christmas and New Year, didn't eat much for 4 days and the pain went away. All I ate was enough to keep taking the tablets.

So I hope I can get rid of the pain by looking at my diet.

I also need to look at my arm strength, not weight training, just something to help a little.

Sedentary jobs aren't the best for us, but I have to keep going.

Now to try and find more hours in the day!

en.bcdn.biz/Images/2013/12/...

[Rugger in reply to JulianJ]

Love that cartoon! What a shame it doesn't!