It is Arthritis Care Week this week (14th – 21st May 2016) and I have been asked to write about my experience with living with arthritis by Adjustamatic who are creating an e-book around Living and Sleeping with Arthritis.
I have suffered from foot pain since my mid-twenties and was on some very heavy medication to help me combat the pain. It was so bad at one point that I had to have cortisone injections in my feet to help me walk down the aisle when I married my husband and I ditched my low heels pretty much as soon as we got to our reception venue.
The pain in my feet eventually pushed me to leave my job where I was walking around 10 miles a day to one behind a desk, which really helped and although the pain was still there I could manage it was over the counter medication and eventually nothing.
Fast forward a few years and the pain is back so I was referred back to the rheumatologist who diagnosed me with Psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation in and around the joints and usually affects people who already have psoriasis, a skin condition that causes a red, scaly rash, especially on the elbows, knees, back, buttocks and scalp, which I also have.
Last year it was just my feet that suffered but I now have the condition in my left hand and struggle to grip anything, never mind open a bottle or a can.
I have been having steroid injections every 3-4 months for a year now, which really helps control my symptoms but the medication I have been taking doesn’t seem to be working so I am now trying something new.
The steroid injections normally last a good two months before my symptoms start to flare but this time I am gutted that it seems to have lasted just two weeks. I know I have to be patient and wait until the tablets start to work but in the meantime I am trying to carry on as normal and push through.
I have found that gentle exercise and natural supplements like Kratom from https://kratom.org/strains/best-for-pain/ make a big difference, as movement keeps my joints and tendons looser and limber and the supplements help to reduce the inflammation and pain of psoriatic arthritis. Running is a no-no for me but I do a lot of walking and swimming and have just dusted my bike off and plan to take that out now the weather is better.
At the moment my main symptom is inflammation in my joints – three of my toes are very swollen which makes wearing shoes a challenge – thank goodness for the wiggle room in Hotter Shoes – and my index finger on my left hand has pretty much doubled in size. I am worried about long-term damage to my joints caused by this swelling but have no idea how to make it go down.
I know I am very lucky and could have my condition an awful lot worse than I have and feel very sorry for people who struggle to get in and out of bed, never mind walk to the shops.
Do you have any tips on managing arthritis?
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Thank you for sharing this I have Psoriatic Arthritis and was diagnosed at 23 last year I couldn’t walk or use the bathroom unassisted! People don’t really understand how someone can have arthritis because I’m in my mid twenties it’s good to spread awareness!
http://www.sophobsessed.com
It does sound like a horrible condition and even if you don’t suffer as badly as some, it must have an impact on day to day life.
I’ve got rheumatoid arthritis and my daughter has JIA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) for both of us it’s medication, gentle movements, not exceeding our limitations, soaking in warm baths with radox/bath salts and gentle massage to ease aching muscles.
I don’t have psoriatic arthritis but I do suffer with back problems which really effect my walking when the the colder weather hits in particular. Exercise really does help as you say x
Any type of arthritis is horrible. I think that it is all about finding your balance. My mum had RA and I have reactive RA, which happens when I suffer with a virus.
Gosh you poor thing, even if you say it’s not as bad as some people’s conditions it has a big impact on your life and it must be tough.
My friend’s husband had arthritis in his hands, and he changed his diet. The arthritish has got better – not sure whether the diet worked, but it may be worth a try?
I don’t think people realise how debilitating it can be to live with Arthritis so it’s great to read posts that raise some much needed awareness x
I was diagnosed with psoratc arthritis years after psoriasis … have had a knee op to “clean” my knee after a year of draining and cortisone injections. I have had a corneal implant after uvitis damaged my own cornea. All caused by not taking the disease modifying drugs available but using over the counter and “natural” remedies. I have had foot pain, back pain, jaw etc etc… eventually found a specialist who told me to accept my disease and do what it takes to lead a “normal” life. A handful of pills day and night and Humira injections fortnightly, unable to work … my normal. Dont ignore it and take overcounter meds that only disguise the symptoms but dont slow down the progression of the disease. Arthritis is a lot more destructive than assumed.
Have you tried gentle massage with coconut oil, my mil does this to her fingers day and night and it helps her movement.
I have arthritis of the neck and am on the waiting list for physio which they seem to think wll be helpful.
It’s not nice at all this Kara and I’m so pleased the steroid injections help. I have arthritis in the wrist I broke and it (and my hand) completely seized up before steroid injections helped. The cold was a huge factor so I used to wear gloves more 🙂
I have arthritis of the ankle and am on the waiting list for rheumatologist, will be helpful.
Thank you so much for your great post. Could you please suggest how to get relief from fibromyalgia?