Frequently Asked Questions about Living with Arthritis.
Last updated Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Popular misconceptionsWhy do other people's perceptions matter? Many people think of arthritis as an old person's disease or
something that causes minor aches and pains. At the other extreme are
those people who believe that nothing can be done for arthritis and
that those who get it can expect to end up in a wheelchair. You may be
accused of making too much of your arthritis or viewed with pity by
people who think you're on the verge of becoming totally disabled. You
may feel put down if you're told what you can't do by an uninformed
public or a well-meaning family member who just wants to protect you.
The negative perceptions of others may be among the most difficult
challenges you have to face. When family and friends misunderstand you,
they may not be able to provide the support you need.
Misconceptions held by employers and the public can make it more difficult for you to work or get the services you need.
But you don't have to accept other people's ideas about you or your
illness. Learn as much as you can about arthritis so you can have a
realistic attitude about your condition. Then deal with people's
misinformed notions in a positive fashion. At times you may want to
ignore comments from misguided friends. At other times you will want to
explain your condition as soon as you become aware that someone has
misconceptions. In a matter-of-fact way, talk about arthritis and how
it affects you. By educating others, you can help promote a better
understanding of arthritis. Arthritis is unpredictable Everyone has some degree of uncertainty in life, but you may have
more than your share if you have arthritis. You may have to deal with
the up-and-down nature of the disease. A teenager with juvenile
arthritis described her frustration in this way: "On days when I feel
good, my family and friends forget I have arthritis. When the bad days
come, they think I'm exaggerating. How can I feel OK one day and so
miserable the next?"
Many types of arthritis have this on-again, off-again pattern. The
physical effects of arthritis can change from day to day and even from
hour to hour. Living with an uncertain future is very difficult.
If your disease goes into remission, that is, the disease process is
quiet and symptoms go away, those around you may tend to forget that
you still have the arthritis and need to continue treatment. No one can
predict when flare-ups of arthritis will occur or how long they will
last. Because of this uncertainty, some people continue to feel quite
anxious and wonder when the symptoms will return.
If you prepare yourself for the up-and-down nature of arthritis,
you'll probably be able to live your life with fewer disappointments.
When the symptoms of arthritis are severe enough to keep you from doing things with family
or friends, let them know that although you'd very much like to do what
is planned, the arthritis is flaring up and you need to stay home and
rest instead. For example, you might say, "The picnic sounds like fun,
but right now I'm having some pain I need to take care of. I'll join
you later if I can, but if I'm unable to make it, please ask me again
next time." Since no one can read your mind, you have to put into words
what your needs are. Your family and friends can be more supportive if
they are aware of ways in which they can help.
One way to understand and accept the reality of having arthritis and
to realize the importance of a treatment program is to learn as much as
possible about the disease. Following are different challenges that
you, as a person with arthritis, may encounter, along with tips for
dealing with them. Is arthritis chronic? Arthritis is a chronic disease. The symptoms usually can be controlled,
but for many people the disease remains. Being told you have a
condition that's not likely to disappear can be a shock at first, and
the information may be hard to believe and accept. Daily treatment is
necessary to keep symptoms under control. For example, doctors often
advise people with arthritis to take medication and to rest and
exercise daily, even when they feel well. Arthritis treatment may
require changes in routine ways of living, such as scheduling time to
exercise and rest. These changes can be difficult to accept. Some
people try to ignore the fact that arthritis is chronic, and they avoid
parts of their recommended treatment. Allowing arthritis to go
untreated can result in additional damage to the body.Credits Some of this material may also be available in an Arthritis Foundation
brochure. Contact the Washington/Alaska Chapter Helpline: (800)
542-0295. If dialing from outside of WA and AK, contact the National
Helpline: (800) 283-7800.
Adapted from several pamphlets originally prepared for the Arthritis
Foundation, one of which is by Beth Ziebell, Ph.D. This material is
protected by copyright. Disclaimer
This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
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