The past few days, the temperatures here in the Midwest have been swinging from the mid-50s down to the low 20s during the day. Today alone we had a 20-degree drop in temperature in a matter of a few hours. As people with arthritis know, this can wreak havoc on your joints. My neck, shoulders and low back have decided to seize up.
I have found that resting and changing positions often helps keep that arthritic stiffness from setting in. Also using good posture and having a back brace helps when I am at the computer as well.
It's supposed to snow tonight, and I am looking forward to that since it is always so pretty.
I am hoping to feel better tomorrow so I can resume normal activity instead of being confined to the house.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Coping with Arthritis
I am 23 years old, and have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my neck and shoulders stemming from old horseback riding injuries. This has been a constant obstacle for me to struggle with, and now that I am pregnant and getting ready to have my first child, I thought to blog this all out. Maybe it will end up helping someone.
About me:
Pain has become a daily component of my life. Sometimes I don't even notice it anymore until my eyes tear up or my body stops working normally. Most of the time, though, I try to avoid activities that cause pain. In some cases, this means staying at home and resting in bed or on the couch, or just taking it easy. Painkillers have also become a daily part of my life, although I try to stay away from those as much as possible. The fatigue resulting from pain medication and the pain itself can be very trying, especially since I love being outdoors with my husband and two dogs near our Missouri home. I am unable to work due to my arthritis, since I never know when I am going to have a "good" day or a "bad" day(Arthritis/chronic pain sufferers out there know what I am talking about). I would love to work at a career outside the home, but I have accepted the call that God has put on my life to being a stay-at-home wife and mother. I never thought I would be that, but I am thankful that my life is full, regardless of my physical state.
Being housebound a lot of the time, especially during my pregnancy right now, can get to be pretty overwhelming. I tend not to tell people about it. But I really appreciate the fact that my understanding husband (who dislikes pets) has allowed me to have two little purse dogs and a cat to keep me company during the day. I know it is a large sacrifice on his part, especially when he is stuck taking care of the animals when I am having one of my flare-ups and can't walk very well.
Although most people try to understand, only other people who are in constant, chronic pain can really understand what it's like to live day-to-day. It's very, temptingly easy to fall into self-pity, especially when something like going up the stairs of your house is an extreme trial.
It's been a lifeboat to me to start thinking of everything positive in my life that I normally wouldn't notice. It's become essential, and I think everyone, whether or not you're in pain, can benefit from it.
About me:
Pain has become a daily component of my life. Sometimes I don't even notice it anymore until my eyes tear up or my body stops working normally. Most of the time, though, I try to avoid activities that cause pain. In some cases, this means staying at home and resting in bed or on the couch, or just taking it easy. Painkillers have also become a daily part of my life, although I try to stay away from those as much as possible. The fatigue resulting from pain medication and the pain itself can be very trying, especially since I love being outdoors with my husband and two dogs near our Missouri home. I am unable to work due to my arthritis, since I never know when I am going to have a "good" day or a "bad" day(Arthritis/chronic pain sufferers out there know what I am talking about). I would love to work at a career outside the home, but I have accepted the call that God has put on my life to being a stay-at-home wife and mother. I never thought I would be that, but I am thankful that my life is full, regardless of my physical state.
Being housebound a lot of the time, especially during my pregnancy right now, can get to be pretty overwhelming. I tend not to tell people about it. But I really appreciate the fact that my understanding husband (who dislikes pets) has allowed me to have two little purse dogs and a cat to keep me company during the day. I know it is a large sacrifice on his part, especially when he is stuck taking care of the animals when I am having one of my flare-ups and can't walk very well.
Although most people try to understand, only other people who are in constant, chronic pain can really understand what it's like to live day-to-day. It's very, temptingly easy to fall into self-pity, especially when something like going up the stairs of your house is an extreme trial.
It's been a lifeboat to me to start thinking of everything positive in my life that I normally wouldn't notice. It's become essential, and I think everyone, whether or not you're in pain, can benefit from it.
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