LC123 – I have both osteoarthritis and RA, but I am decades older than you are. I’m glad you have an appointment set up with a rheumatologist! If you do have RA, you need to get it under control to avoid further joint damage. There are many effective drugs available, so don’t worry too much. Doctor thinks I had undiagnosed RA for a long time before I saw her. After a year of drugs, I am almost back up to full speed.
Discuss with your doctor what changes you can make to your diet. For me, minimizing refined carbohydrates really helps prevent flare ups. If I do too much yardwork, I use a THC/CBD cream that is amazing for sore joints (I live in a state where marijuana is legal)! And do figure out how to work smarter. I like the suggestion for getting a small, low trailer to move and store a week’s worth of hay closer to your horses. Or hire a teenager! Best of luck.
One benefit to being officially diagnosed is that you now have a condition and doctors orders. Use that in every area of life including work, home, school, to get physical accommodations to make your life manageable.
For instance my students with arthritis can get the university to allow them to write final exams on a computer in the Student Assessment Center instead of trying to grip a pencil for 3 hours. I myself have switched over to marking all my student essays on line because of my hands.
You have a lifelong degenerative condition that needs to be managed using the current best practices. Everyone in your life including your husband needs to be 100% onboard with this. That means around the house and farm you get the equipment you need to do the job, whether that’s special can openers in the kitchen or a forklift in the barn.
The thing about having a diagnosis is that it lets you clearly understand that your symptoms are not “normal” fatigue, that you do not need to toughen up, get fitter, grit your teeth and ignore pain. You are not lazy or weak. You do not need to just soldier through. Rather you need smart choices to make tasks achievable and you have the right to ask for those things, both from yourself and from others.
I think I am going to take the longest to change. My husband has a 2 hour commute to work, he’s generally gone from 7am to 7pm. He’s supportive and helpful when he is here, but he can really only offer physical support on the weekends. However, he loves buying gadgets and toys. If there’s a tool to make something easier, he buys it whether I wanted it or not. He’s a big fan of work smarter not harder, and if the hates doing something, he will pay someone else to do it. He’s already on board with a new shed (assuming we can get something that fits) and we’re calling my mechanic to get my 4 wheeler fixed ASAP.
I am the problem. I don’t want to pay someone else to do something I can do myself. On top of that, I really like doing a lot of the more physical jobs. My paying job is very sedentary and I’ve always liked my reputation at work for being active, fit and strong from all my barn chores. I like doing my own yard work, I like trimming my trees, and I like staying active. I also know I like having a healthy body and spending time with my horses more than any of those things, so I will just need to prioritize that. It it just going to take some time. So again, I really appreciate all the words of wisdom from everyone to help me change my perspective.
You might also find interesting tips if you post in COTH Riders With Health Issues, maybe start a thread on RA and horses.
Yes, it is hard, thinking of oneself as basically strong and capable, but also having a problem that needs to be managed.
I’ve really only had to face this as I got older. I returned to horses 12 years ago in my 40s so my strength and riding has been improving at the same time my osteoarthritis (just in the first knuckles) made itself really obvious. I also think I am seeing an overall drop in energy level. At the same time I am continuing to push myself in my actual riding stamina. Interestingly my back is holding up better than in my nonriding years (with an excellent RMT monthly).
I think it’s important to prioritize and also to figure out what you can and can’t do. I don’t know alot about RA, whether it is always systemic or can be localized as my OA is.
RA also opens up the possibility of other immune system problems I think. There is discussion out there about diet guidelines though also no doubt a great deal of bumpf.
If its just in your hands maybe you can continue to do things that involve using arms, back, shoulder, without tightly gripping things? Not sure how many barn jobs that includes! Also you could get spongey rubber special grips for tools so your hands can be more open raking etc. I went to an arthritis clinic session once and they showed us a whole range of such things. Didn’t buy any at the time, but have been on my mind.
if a separate structure is not allowed do an add on to the existing building or “remodel”. If you can not increase the footprint of the build cantilever the addition from the main structure…
The way most zoning ordinances are written usually there is a hole about the size of big truck to drive through
Hey! Speak for yourself - I’m stronger than many of the guys I work with!
OP, I know that must be frustrating, I had pretty gnarly back arthritis by 32, but am also too stubborn to give up much. I still stack 100 bales of hay on occasion, but the regret is always painful.
This may be a no go, not sure how far apart the buildings are, but could you just load hay nets in the lower shed & take hay up for meals that way? I also have hay storage that is separate from my horses & sometimes do this when I am not up to moving full bales.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹There are a variety of bigger easy load nets, bags, & totes, combined with carts & wagons that even a riding mower can pull that can help (I have no money, so can’t comment on specific models, but they exist) . A front end loader is also fantastic, but, as this forum sometimes forgets, is not something everyone can buy. If you are lucky enough to have disposable funds though, you should definitely get one, it is a wonderful 2nd pair of hands .
Wildlifer, more power to you! You are absolutely right that many women are very strong. I still maintain that it’s important to work carefully and safely.
I would look into a 4 wheel wagon that can be towed by your 4 wheeler that fits at least 2-4 bales. 4 wheels so it won’t top when unhooked. Load it, pull it up to the barn, feed off it, then reload. This way you only need to handle the big bales once.
