Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Hi everyone

I am having difficulty with bending my body. I cannot perform basic task such as tieing my shoe. My body is so stiff that I cannot bend normally. Anyone has suggestion for me?

Hi May!

WELCOME!!

I just had to wish you welcome to this wonderful site. This is an amazing place and I know you will get plenty of answers to all the things you are worried about.

My advice to you is to Keep Streching and Exercising! (But I'm sure someone else here has some more usable advices! LOL!)

bye bye from
Jade

Hi May and welcome to KickAS.,

The shoe thing is always difficult for most people. I took the easy way out and usually have shoes that don't need to be tied. I prefer the slip-on shoes and have no problems with them.

I do have some boots that need to be tied and have found two ways to handle it. The first is that I lie down on the sofa and bend my leg up so I can reach the foot and slip on the boot. With my leg brought up like this, I can easily tie up the laces. A second way, (and don't do this if your balance isn't good) is to stand in the corner and draw your leg up towards you, slip on the shoe and tie it. If you are able to keep your foot up long enough, you can get used to doing it this way. Please be careful..

Hope to keep seeing you around.

George

Breb Assyl

Just wanted to say welcome to the site.
Getting our bodies to flex is a real common problem here and you will find numerous suggestions.
My most favorite for me is a good soak in the hot tub and useing slip on shoes.

Dan.

>>>>>>
We are kicking some AS*.

Hi May



Have you been to a doctor or Rheumy yet ?

This is exactly how I was before diagnosis. Still I am that way but have great relief with Viox. While this is certainly not the answer that most people would give as there is much to be said against NSAIDS and I am in the throws of reconsidering this route myself.You will have to determine for yourself what meds if any that you feel comfortable taking.
For sure, hot baths are very helpful and excercising is crucial to keeping some flexibility.

If you look around this website you will find many drug, diet and excercise options.
Most of all, you will find many new friends who are ready and willing to help as much as possible. The true friendship found here is more comforting than anything else, anywhere

Take Care

Maggie

Hi May...
Just wanted to say welcome !
Exercise and stretching is what helps me. But you also might want to check on the No starch information.

I received a "grasper" at the hospital that helped me to pick up my shoes on those real bad days, and a sock helper. You put the sock on it...then hold the two straps and it helps the sock slide one. Real helpful. I dont need the sock helper most of the time...but the grasper has really helped me out! I know they sell them in the medical supply stores.

Take care..


Buggy

May
If you check the Helpful Tips section on both this board and the old forum... I know the topic has been discussed with helpful aids in that section a few times... Here is a link for the old forum
http://64.177.61.15/cgi-bin/discussion/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=tips
Mike

Edited by grinnbearit on 02/09/03 08:56 PM (server time).

Hi May,

Welcome to KickAs

In my opinion, diet and exercise would be the key, check out the diet corner and some helpful tips as well.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to give me PM, I'll reply ASAP.

Take care,
Sinta

Welcome to KickAs. You will really becomed very attached to all the people here. It is a wonderful support group, and you will learn so much. I have had AS for 28 years and thought I knew everything, well I didn't. I think i learn something new everyday. As far as the shoe thing goes, slip ons are best. Either clogs or those new slip on sneakers. Also you can buy shoe horns that have a long handle so you don't need to bend. When I am in a really bad flare, my kids are awful good at helping me get dressed!! That is how they learned to tie a bow so well!!

Simone

Hi May. Welcome to KA! I'm so glad you found us.

All of us have this trouble at times. I know that when I'm putting on my socks or stockings in the morning, it's much easier if I lie on my bed and bring my knees up to my chest after I slip my toes in. Usually, by the time I put on my shoes or boots, my lower back has loosened up a tad and I can bend down to do it. Now that it's winter, I don't wear shoes until I get to the office, and by that time, my lower back has loosened up so much that I can prop my foot up on my desk and tie or zip them that way.

However, that said, stretching, exercising, walking and moist heat are the best ways to keep our muscles loose enough to function. Gotta remember that myself most days.

Hugs,

Kat