Comments on: Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Housework

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:49:53 +0000

I don’t know about you Julie but that has been an irritating blow to my ego. I think I’m adjusted to it and then I realize others assume I still do those things and I feel guilty & useless. It helps me to know it’s not just me. I hate that helpless feeling when I realize that I’m home alone with Roo and it’s already dinner time.
Fighting for every little bit of life we can get is a hard way to live but we certainly are forced to focus on things that are important. I sat there last night talking about this with Mary Khris – it was a hard way to learn that God will take care of me & my kids somehow, no matter what I can or can’t do.

By: Julie Robbins

Julie Robbins — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:37:35 +0000

Boy, hit the nail on the head with this one. I used to be able to clean the whole house, fix dinner, and do laundry in a day. Yea, that was the me before RA. I can’t even cook dinner now without taking almost most of the afternoon because I do it in sections. Thanks.

By: Carol Allen

Carol Allen — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:58:04 +0000

I think that my laundry baskets filled with clean clothes that I cannot fold, are what makes me feel the worst about myself…. Maybe I can be a little less hard on myself, seeing that you have them too!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:37:49 +0000

Nina, you are not a downer. It helps others to know we aren’t the only one either, so thanks for sharing.
I used to do that with cookies too. No guests or parties now.
I wish I knew what could make it better for you. For me, I just keep accepting what happens, like waves on the sea that we can’t change. And looking each day for what God does have for me to do. There are still valuable things you can do if you don’t regain those abilities. And some people do regain them when they find the right treatment. Good luck to you.

By: Nina Wikstrom Aguilar

Nina Wikstrom Aguilar — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:19:58 +0000

Reading this today has made me tear up…as in, my eyes are filling with tears. I used to have a clean house, and rolls of homemade cookie dough that I could pull out of the freezer, slice, and bake to serve to unexpected guests. Now, I rarely get guests. My house is a mess. And I have had cookie dough (ie, creamed butter and sugar) underway in the mixer for at least 3 weeks. I am too tired, and in too much pain, to want to force myself to do anything.
I am on meds for depression, even just got the dose bumped up. but still…..

Glad I am not the only one.
Sorry to be such a downer today.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:54:03 +0000

what a neat post – haha – I mean what a nice thought. Being the one who does everything is difficult when you get RA and there is not someone who picks up the slack. Appears to be the catch22 to having been “superwoman,” doesn’t it?

Actually, I *have* asked for that gift for Christmas – that my kids would get this place really clean. It can’t be in perfect condition as once was kept with flower beds neat and trim paint always fresh but it can be “Ahhhhh smells nice” anyway.
PS: for anyone reading, those kids are 13 to 21 – not the little one

By: Kerrie

Kerrie — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:41:50 +0000

I think the most important room that should be in tip top shape is the master bed/bath. Sure some guests never make it that far, but I do!! Some days it’s so hard to even think about doing housework. My insignificant other has no clue what it takes to maintain a household. He doesn’t change the bulbs, fix the dryer, paint, fix toilets, change door knobs, hang shelves, clean anything, ever. Just goes to work and comes home and talks about work. We’re broke. Can’t hire a cleaning service…and I used to run my own! LOL ! Most important room should be YOUR room. If you have to question my clutter, you shouldn’t be in my house. If you’d like to help clean my clutter, WELCOME !
What a great Christmas gift that would be !!!!
Give the gift of “ahhhh smells nice in here…LOOK !!!! Vaccuum cleaner lines!!!! DON”T WALK ON IT !!!
… I’m going to my room.

By: Tonia Lovejoy

Tonia Lovejoy — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:02:45 +0000

I can relate to this issue about keeping the house clean. I was a “Felix” (really OCD) before RA claimed my fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders & neck. It pains me to see the condition my house is now in, often times dusty, carpet needing vaccuming, stove needing a thorough cleaning. I could go on & on, but I won’t; you get the picture.
When I move I have to have a dishwasher, the washer & dryer have to be on the same floor (not in the basement), & wood floors & most importantly.
I will also have to break down & pay someone to come in at least twice & month do a professional cleaning. I love my RA

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:35:52 +0000

Thanks for the tips, Susan.

By: Susan Feder

Susan Feder — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:31:08 +0000

I ran into the same problem; I couldn’t hold the plates to wash them so I went to paper plates and the wicker holders to resolve that problem. I can always use the sturdier type when needed but, for the most part, I get by with the standard type. Both the paper plates and the wicker holder are microwavable, so heating up a plate of food is a piece of cake and, when I’m done eating, into the trash goes the plate and the wicker holder goes back into the cupboard.

Also, I try to cook things that will last many meals so that I don’t have to cook often, because the cleanup is so rough when it comes to the pots and pans.

One helpful household hint I found out about recently that I would like to share. Because so many of the medications I take are constipating (I know that I am not alone in this) and I don’t have the strength to plunge the toilet, I found out that pouring about a tablespoon of Dawn dish detergent into the toilet and letting it sit for an hour or so will allow everything to go down without plunging. I realize this isn’t a pleasant topic, but the Dawn does work and I haven’t had to plunge a toilet ever since.