Update on gel painkillers

[ladyalex]

Just to keep everyone updated on my 92 year old aunt.
The District Nurse and I have persuaded her to agree to a referral to the Community Physios to see if any aids etc will help.
The GP has prescribed Capsaicin cream which is not doing much so far, but at least she's putting it on.
He has also suggested a steroid injection into her knee, which of course has to be done in the surgery. After initial complete refusal ('it won't work') she has been persuaded to go.
All I have to do now is arrange the wheelchair loan from the Red Cross, book a wheelchair taxi.....and wait for her to refuse to go on the day...
There is a bit of me that hopes I'll be as feisty as she is if I get to her age, but she can be very frustrating to try to help.

[rowanwitch]

Its a start... i suspect a lot of it is letting her think it is her own idea...

I am sure the physios will be able to come up with a few things and if she can see it will be useful ... sometimes its just better to leave things in place like those taps....

[ladyalex]

Thanks, rowanwitch.
You are spot on with the 'letting her think it's her own idea' business.

As you say, it's a start.
I hope she's less rude to these physios than she was to the rheumatology one....

[rsvp]

it's the feisty spirit that's keeping her going. Just like my (late) Mum.

[Euphemia]

I hope it all goes smoothly on the day!

[albaqwerty]

When the taxi arives and she refuses to go, you could try the 'you are embarrassing the driver and how could you?'

However, I like Rowans idea that it is your aunt's idea,

'She can be very frustrating' of course she can, she's 92 bless. Good on her
(That sounds patronisingand isn't meant to be in any way, shape form or mnner)

[ladyalex]

Thanks, alba (and everyone else)...would any of you like to take her over for a month or so ?

:-))

[anneasquith]

i could do monday and tuesday !

[ladyalex]

Thanks, Anne...I'll get your details later...

[rsvp]

and I'm free Friday so with luck, you're in for an easy week.

[ladyalex]

oh.....just for a week....

:-))

[anneasquith]

all joking aside im really fond of older cantankerous people, i love how they can say anything they like and blame it on their age, although im sure it must be difficult for you at times LA.

[ladyalex]

Thanks anne.
I am really very fond of her, despite her iron will etc....

Teeth have to be gritted quite a lot of the time, but I guess I wouldn't have her any other way really.

[nungate]

I have much the same trouble with my Mum, who is 80 and has dementia - though she denies it - she will however admit to having lost her marbles though - I've told her I'm keeping mine in a jar by the bed. I've found that as Rowan says it's best to let her think it's her own idea, and if she starts digging her heels in, I try to make a joke out of it and before she's realised what's really gone on she's in the car and off to her appointment.

[anneasquith]

what are your memories of her when she was younger, i wonder if we become cantankerous with age, or have we always been grabbit !

[ladyalex]

Thanks, nungate.
Joking does help, but not when she's got her 'I'm not having this' face on.