It's a question I have seen repeatedly asked on our Arthritis forum -- "how do you do it?" People who are newly diagnosed or struggling with their arthritis look for tips from those who manage arthritis well.
Living with arthritis pain, day in and day out, is not easy. There must be days when you would like to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head. Going to work or keeping up with your daily routine must be overwhelming at times. It must be tempting, some days, to scream out that you can't do it. How do you keep from losing the battle with arthritis? How do you keep going? How do you do it? Share Your Secret
How I do it
- I walk - my doctor says that it's amazing that I can do it with my hip in the osteoarthritic condition it is in; but I walk 2 miles about 2 - 5 times each week. Walking is cathartic and helpful for me; I must continue. I limp and sometimes it hurts if I hit a bump or go down a curb at a bad angle, but I walk and will continue to do so until I can't any more. When I have really important or big events, I will take meds to reduce the inflammation and pain but I am hesitant to depend on the meds. I try to smile and am grateful that what is wrong with me is something that is visible, measurable, and can be fixed (with surgery).
- —Guest Shelly B
How Do You Do It
- After battling RA for 36 yrs, I try my best to focus on what I CAN DO well. There's an old saying "accentuate the positive". Plus I sing in the car, around the house, in church. I'm not an American Idol contender, but singing makes me feel upbeat!!! And my spiritual faith sustains me, through the ups and downs of RA challenges.
- —Guest Jolene Bruce
How I cope with arthritis
- Hey, I'm 16 and I was diagnosed with arthritis when I'd just turned 15... At first it was horrible cause I started doing pilates because of it and it was so aggravating because I couldn't do what some 50 year old women could!.. I actually broke down crying a few times, cause it makes such an impact.. However I dropped pilates and started swimming which was brilliant! Because I can still exercise and it doesn't hurt as much, and also I have anti-inflammatory tablets and I have quite a lot of painkillers so when it gets too tough I can just take some and I'll be okay.. At the minute I'm finding is really stressful because of the build up to my GCSE exams cause everything is just building up on me, but I always just step back and think.. There are people worse off than me, which helps .. A LOT... I hope this helped :) xx
- —Guest Bella
How do you do it
- I think positively, am happy to be alive and able to walk, there are people worse off than myself. I never plan my day, I just go with the flow, wake up for work, take my time in the morning to get ready, having a hot bath in the mornings, stretching and giving myself enough time to get ready for work in the mornings eases the pain and the pressure. Getting lots of love and support from my family. I enjoy dancing and socializing and love people, that is part of being a trained counselor. I continue to go to the gym work out when I can, not doing the strenuous exercise that I am used to you, but often doing swimming, yoga, body balance, pilates, and aqua zumba aerobics most enjoyable. At home I continue to do my housework, but resting in between. Most times I am happy, laughing and joking about life itself which often puts me in a very positive and happy place. I also pray and go to church and light a candle, which leaves calm and postive.
- —Guest Babara Williams
