gardening

[Cashewnutty1962]

Morning all. I did some planting last week in the garden, now have shoulder discomfort, all was well prior. Any tips on how to avoid this please? I have a gardening kneeling pad and also a stool … neither of which I used!! Guess I may have answered my own question🤪 I am taking Pred 4.5mgs daily and I am due to reduce to 4mgs tomorrow…

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Well firstly, you don’t reduce tomorrow.

Have you tried ordinary painkillers it case it’s just DOMS [delayed onset muscle soreness].. hopefully it is that and not the start of a flare… but if it is then follow the flare protocol..

Gardening, great though it is, has a lot to answer for… so short periods of activity [especially if repetitive actions - like planting] with rests in between.. and use the aids you have. 😊

One problem with gardening is we just launch into it without thinking too much about warming up those muscles that come into play beforehand… and then do too much at any one time..

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much. I have been on 4.5 mgs with no pain/discomfort at all for the last month. It did not cross my mind that the pain could be muscular… silly me!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Hope that’s all it is… but we always think the worst…

[123-go]

Yes, you have answered your own question, Cashewnutty. There are a number of things you could do to try to avoid injury and at the top of the list would be to avoid gardening altogether but this probably wouldn’t be practical 😏. There are lots of tips online like this one:

rehabhub.co.uk/2024/04/01/a...

I badly sprained a wrist once when digging out a very stubborn hot lips (salvia) shrub and ended up with x-rays and exercises to perform thrice daily….very inconvenient!

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to 123-go]

Thank you. I’m on the site you posted now.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"Any tips on how to avoid this please? "

From a Philistine in the garden - don't garden!!!! You do have to be careful, avoid long sessions doing similar actions to over tire the muscles you are using. Even leaning forward to plant things, using a trowel or spade, all put a lot of strain on your back and shoulder muscles and tendons which are delicate after years of PMR and pred. It is easier to develop DOMS and it takes longer to resolve - so rest, some painkillers and possibly muscle rubs and warmth might help.

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to PMRpro]

👌🏽

[SnazzyD]

The facetious, but realistic reply to how to avoid it, is don’t do it. Failing that, because to a gardener that’s like telling them to stop breathing, is tell yourself what you can’t do before you start and stick to it. Do not allow yourself to start without the correct bits like a stool or mat and have a strict time limit on any one activity. Have a time limit overall and if the words, “oh, while I’m here, I’ll just….” Slap your wrist and desist.

For me the absolute worst movement is trowling something, coming in from the side with the arm starting away from the body. Any movement where I am meeting an end stop is dynamite and tugging is plain stupid. I gnash my teeth in frustration as I either have to leave it altogether or wait for my other half to be free from whatever hyper focus he’s got going on. Then there’s the anguish of watching someone doing it wrong, but I have to tell myself, at least it’s help, better than none….sometimes.

As for reducing tomorrow. Cease and desist!

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to SnazzyD]

Very funny but true. Thank you.

[piglette]

I am often pulling bits of me in the garden, but that has always been true. I have cut my gardening back a lot though and do not do veg any more, I just grow a few herbs and flowers.

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to piglette]

👌🏽

[Temeraire]

I love gardening. Balm to the soul being out there. However I’ve learnt to vary the jobs I do. Too much of one thing ( especially bending/ stooping) and my hips tell me! Now I do short sessions of say weeding then do something else where I can be upright eg pruning. Also take time to sit with a cuppa and listen to the buzzing and the birds. Don’t give up - just learn to do it differently. Good tools make a difference too. Good luck.

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to Temeraire]

☺️

[Angelsmummy]

Morning C,from a compulsive gardener with just under an acre of garden which I have lovingly landscaped and tended for years.I used to be able to do a minumum of 4 hours daily.Had to,to keep on top of it but since getting GCA/ PMR with sight loss in one eye,I only do what my body will let me,whether that is an hour or 2.The muscles DEFINATELY get affected by this disease,I ache for days if I have done too much,which is the body telling me I have done far too much.Best just do little and as often as you feel up to it.Nice hot bath with Epsom salts in the evening helps as well I find..Happy gardening,xxx💐😜🌻🌼🪴🌸🌷🌞

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to Angelsmummy]

Thank you for that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angelsmummy]

BATH??????? What's one of those?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

It's a city in Zummerzet!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Do they drink a lot of Epsom Salts there?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Groan🤣😂 No.. but plenty of zider.. proper job tiz too!

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Don’t you wash then PRO??🤣😂😜

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angelsmummy]

If I got in a bath I;d never get out! Showers rule ...

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Ain’t I lucky that I am still supple!😜🧘🏼‍♀️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angelsmummy]

I'm not bad - but have 2 dodgy knees I can't kneel on!!!!!

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

DEFINATELY no good for skiing anymore then!Mind you,I wouldn’t even try my hand at skiing with decent knees,too much of a wuss!x⛷️😳😜💐

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angelsmummy]

Oh they worked to ski long after I couldn't kneel on them!!!!!

[Bcol]

I can't add anything to the comments already made, it can be frustrating, particularly as it is a beautiful, warm sunny day here. Totally agree with Angelsmummy re the bath. Nothing beats soaking achy joints in a pleasant hot bath.

[Angelsmummy in reply to Bcol]

Too much faff having a shower,like to wallow in a hot bath,then a quick rinse off afterwards.Showers are good for cooling down when abroad but not my cup of tea in England.,xx😜🛀🏼🛀🏼🧼

[Bcol in reply to Angelsmummy]

Couldn't agree more.