Frequently Asked Questions about Living with Arthritis.
Last updated Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Making life changesShould a person with arthritis make life changes? If you have arthritis, you may want or need to make some changes in your life.
Changes may be as minor as buying a more comfortable chair or an
electric can opener. Or you may need to make some changes in your work,
your social life, the type of sports you enjoy, or the way you manage
your home. And you may have to keep making changes as the needs arise.
Everyone experiences change as they go through life. Changes can be
frustrating, scary, or challenging. This section provides ideas for
managing your life and coping with the changes arthritis may bring
about. How can a person with arthritis find help in making life changes? Resources are available if you or your family would like help in learning to live with arthritis.
The first person to consult is your doctor. Doctors can provide
feedback about information you've been told or read regarding arthritis
treatment and unproven remedies. Doctors who specialize in arthritis
are particularly aware of the importance of the role of other health
professionals in the overall treatment of arthritis. For instance, if
you have difficulty doing daily activities, you may be referred to an
occupational therapist. These specialists can teach you about joint
protection techniques and can assist you with self-help aids and
methods to make activities easier.
A physical therapist can design exercise programs to help prevent
and correct joint problems and to maintain general strength. He or she
can suggest techniques to lessen pain, such as special applications of
heat and cold.
Psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists are available to
help you with emotional concerns. In addition, mental health
professionals who specialize in sexual counseling, pain management, and
marriage and family therapy are available in most communities.
If you have other concerns, a variety of people and agencies in the
community can help. Community resources include nurses, vocational
rehabilitation counselors, members of the clergy, transportation
services, meal delivery programs, visiting health professionals,
homemaker services, and financial and legal aid. How can a person with arthritis set goals for making life changes? Once you know what needs and resources you have, then you can start
setting goals for yourself. Have you ever done this? Many people rush
through life without taking the time to simply sit back and evaluate
their choices and actions. Are you spending your time and energy on
something worthwhile, something that you really want to do? For some
people, arthritis has turned out to be an opportunity to stop and
evaluate their goals in life. What do you want to achieve? Don't let
society or physical limitations dictate what your goals should be. On
the other hand, be practical about what's possible. Break down big,
long-term goals into small, manageable steps that can be accomplished
in short amounts of time.
The strategy of contracting is especially helpful in achieving
short-term goals. Essentially, contracting consists of the following
steps:
- Identify something you want to do.
- Be realistic.
- Specify what, when, how many, or how much.
- Write it down.
- Check it daily.
For example, a contract might be: "This week I'll walk 15 minutes before lunch on four days."
Your choice of goals doesn't have to be final, and you can always
change your mind as you learn more about arthritis and how it affects
you. Concern yourself with coping well today, not with what might
happen tomorrow. How can a person with arthritis be realistic about making life changes? Each of us has limitations. Those who lead full, active lives learn
how to work around their limitations and maximize their strengths. Take
stock of your arthritis and any limits it has caused. How mobile are
you? How much energy do you have, and how dependable is your level of
energy? Do you have any problem joints that make certain activities
harder to do? It would be nice to ignore the arthritis and do whatever
you want, but eventually you may make matters worse by not saving your
energy and using your joints wisely.
Perhaps you feel confused about what your actual limits are. Your
doctor or therapist may be able to provide some guidelines about rest
periods and activities. Then you will have to experiment. By trial and
error, you can learn what your body will tolerate. Remember that you
may be able to build up your tolerance for certain activities. A
physical therapist can help you set up an exercise program that can
help you develop your strength and joint mobility.
You may find that you can no longer do certain activities or do them
as well. If so, don't dwell on your limitations; instead, look at your
capabilities. One way of doing this is by engaging in the practice of
positive self-talk. Self-talk can best be described as those habitual
things we say to ourselves. Negative self-talk can lead to increased
pain and depression and to decreased activity levels ("I just can't do
the things I used to do, so why bother"). Positive self-talk, on the
other hand, can help you better cope with a situation ("I'm getting
better and better able to do some things. My exercises are really
helping me").
Everyone has talents and abilities that can be developed. You're
limited only by your imagination. Find new ways to use your skills. For
example, if you no longer can compete in sports, you might try coaching
instead. Look for ways to modify activities so you still can do them.
If you love to garden but no longer can stoop or kneel, see if you can
get raised flower beds constructed. If knitting was your passion but
arthritis now affects your hands, talk to an occupational therapist to
get ideas about aids or techniques to make knitting possible or
suggestions about other hobbies you might enjoy. If you are having
difficulties at your job, a vocational counselor can help you modify
your work setting or suggest other possible careers.
It's human nature to get upset if you try something that doesn't
seem to work out. But use that experience to your advantage. Consider
any failure you have to be a learning experience-just part of the
process toward success. How can a person with arthritis help manage their own health care? Even when people have arthritis, there still are many ways of taking
care to stay healthy. In addition to arthritis treatment, you need to
consider such things as being at a healthy weight level, limiting
alcohol consumption, not smoking, exercising daily within your physical limitations, eating a balanced and nutritionally sound diet, and managing stress.
Besides physical health, you need to be concerned about your
emotional health. The status of your emotional health is based on a
variety of factors. How well do you communicate? How do you handle
anger, guilt, worry, and fear? How good is your self-image? How are you
managing your personal relationships? You'll need to address these
questions on an individual basis. Some people find that they are better
able to resolve such issues by seeking professional assistance.
Scientists are not yet sure what role emotions might play in the
development and course of arthritis. But people with the disease say
that they feel better when they have learned more effective ways of
coping with the stress in their lives.
You can become a very important partner in your own health care
by creating a satisfying and fulfilling lifestyle, by caring for your
total health, and by understanding that it's normal to experience
emotional ups and downs throughout life. In fact, overcoming stressful
situations often helps us grow and become better equipped to deal with
other life challenges.
How useful was this page or article?
|
|