Stiffness

[billanschell]

Hi, Tony:

I try to walk regularly to keep up my leg strength, but unlike many of the other folks on this board, I haven't found that exercise helps with the stiffness. The only thing that has really helped me has been Xanax. When I first started taking it, it felt like it was really making a difference. Unfortunately, I must have developed a tolerance to it, because it doesn't seem to have much effect anymore. I'm hesitant to start ramping up the dosage, because I imagine my body would continue to develop tolerance at the new level. But I may give it a try; if not, I may wean myself off to find out whether it's actually doing any good at all any more.

Bill

[Tmasgio]

Since my initial post I found that Ultram and Amirix does wonders. It relieves alot of the stiffness and pain in my hands and joints. I hope it lasts for awhile as I am afraid of building up to much of a tolerance.

[Joel]

Well, I have found that by the 3rd or 4th glass of wine, the stiffness no longer seems to bother me!!

[paul55]

AMEN to that brother!!!!!!!

[mak164]

Hi Paul -

>>I'm hopefully going to try my bike when the weather gets better.

Yes, well worth it, and so enjoyable. I find that I can get around locally on my mountain bike quite easily, though walking is now a major effort, as Cindy describes. The bike is a real passport to freedom for me.

David.

[chickiet]

For me, sitting a long time is what makes it the worst. If I can get up and move around fairly often, the stiffness is not so bad. But if I have to sit in a meeting for an hour or two, I look like an old lady getting up... So I'd say keep moving as much as possible to help with the stiffness.

Chris

[Joel]

Most of us suffer from not only stiffness, but foot pain, fatigue, numbness, clumsiness, bowel problems, sleep problems, and a number of other things. Their severity also tends to vary randomly, with age, and with the weather. So--I have all these things I use depending on what is bothering me at the time. Such as--I carry a cane in my car and use it whenever I feel more fatigued than usual. But stiffness--I don't think I've ever found a way to do away with it. The longer I sit, the more of a problem it becomes, but when I stand, my feet eventually start hurting, regardless of how much Lyrica I take. So--you do what you can, when you can. And remember a few glasses of wine at opportune times lol!
Joel

[paul55]

Joel and Chris

I'm amazed at what you said about "the longer I sit, the more of a problem it becomes...." Wow, that is exactly what happens to me as well. The only time it doesn't is when I'm stationary in bed for the night.

[went]

I'm stiff pretty much every morning.

You liked that, didn't you? Are you ready to continue? O.K.

I just stretch. I also notice that the longer I'm sitting, the worse it gets.

[chickiet]

I agree - a nice glass of wine (or two or three) helps. Mellows out everything. Unfortunately there's a time and place for that - not a good all-day solution!