World Arthritis Day

Today is World Arthritis Day so I thought I'd put together 10 tips I've learned about dealing with arthritis.

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Tip #10: Be honest. If the people you love are worth having in your life, they're worth telling. Odds are, once you stop pretending to be well, you'll find that there is a lot of love and support waiting for you.

Tip #9: Respect your limits. Your body will tell you when you've gone too far, done too much. Listen. And then stop and rest. It's better to say, take two days to finish a project, rather than push past your limit and end up spending two days in bed afterwards.

Tip #8: Laugh. Life is nothing without laughter. Yes, arthritis sucks. But find the humor in it. Walk with a cane? Add a horn to it. Need a wheelchair? Put racing stripes on it. Have fun where ever you can. Don't let this disease still your sense of humor.

Tip #7: Don't be a dweller. Again, arthritis sucks. A lot. And in reality, it means a less than sunny future for many of us. But don't loose yourself in the darkness of this disease. It does no good. And it will most likely chase away your support group. And nothing is worse than facing this disease all alone.

Tip #6: Swallow your pride. Don't be too proud to ask for help. Don't be too proud to admit you need to go home early from work to sleep. Don't be too proud to call your doctor and ask for meds. Where this disease is concerned, pride is trouble. Pride can keep you from getting help or rest or relief.

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Tip #5: Rest. Studies have shown that most Americans are chronically sleep deprived. Those of us with arthritis are no different. This disease steals our sleep. So don't be afraid to take a sleeping pill or muscle relaxor (in moderation please, they're addictive). You need your sleep to deal with all the road blocks that come your way.

Tip #4: Don't give up. I know that arthritis can steal your will to go on. But you have to keep going. I look at it like this, if I give up, arthritis has won. I don't ever want to let it win.

Tip #3: Connect. Connect to other people with your type of arthritis. Your friends and family may say they understand, but unless they're sick too, they really don't. Get yourself a support system of fellow arthritis sufferers. Even if they're just an online group, they're an invaluable source of support and understanding.

Tip #2: Let go. Let go of your anger at this disease. Arthritis can't but hurt by your hate. It won't make it stop hurting your body. It's a daily struggle, I know (trust me), but let go of that anger. It will just start to taint every part of your life.

And finally....(drum roll please).....

Tip #1: Never forget that arthritis is a war. Fight every single day against what this disease can do to your body. Fight what it can do to your mind. Fight what it can do to your soul. You may not win the war (until medical science catches up to our needs) but you can win the small battles.


Fight on everyone!
Jocelyn (In Texas)