After reading a recent article from a posting on Arthritis Today, I read the following comment from another reader. Sharon's words drove home to me the courage that arthritis sufferers demonstrate each and every day as they work through the daily challenges that we so easily take for granted. Many of her ideas are life lessons and I especially appreciated the suggestion to "take a deep breath", listen to your body, recognize the fear and find a way to let your body move on.
I feel pretty proud that I am even remotely involved with such positive people through the Arthritis Society, and that my fund raising efforts will help to take another step forward in supporting their day-to-day efforts.
So, I encourage you to read on and then to become part of the team by making a donation to the Arthritis Society. (You'll find a link to my donation page in the right hand margin of the blog!)
Sharon West (12 Sept, 2009, 01:34)
"Hello to all my fellow RA sufferers,
I was reading all your recent quotes, and just had to share some stuff I have learned over the past couple years. I got diagnosed with RA in 2003, and it was pretty severe by that point...barely able to walk, go upstairs, even use the bathroom (you know how that goes...)..but eventually the methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) and the assorted steroids for 6 months started to take effect and the massive flare I was experiencing, got under control. But I had read about warm water exercise arthritis classes as being real good for RA so I started going to those later in 2003...they have really helped, and I continue to go 3 times a week. And believe me I know what it's like to be in so much pain that moving is the last thing you want to do...but strangely the warm water (and hot tub and steam room) really help, so if you have access to anything like that, I strongly recommend it.
Also, a couple years ago I started taking Tai Chi...and what I have learned from that class is not only how to move to stimulate the lymph glands and build back up muscle, but the secret I have really learned is about breathing...breathing into your muscles through this...deep breathing...it really relaxes the body and lets your muscles and joints get some much needed oxygen and blood flow. I have realized how shallow my breathing is throughout most of the day, and especially in the midst of a flare(which I still get, but now I better manage them). The thing is that I can get so "fearful" of the pain, which is so real and tiring, that I start to breathe shallow again and get into a state of fear and almost hopelessness sometimes...but I have found the deep breathing and simple movements of Tai Chi to be very liberating...I can't explain how it all works, but I definitely have less pain and can sleep much better.
I am a music composer so my hands and fingers degrading can be most frustrating at times, but I have found not fighting it sometimes and then not being afraid of the pain and giving myself a break and just saying it will be better by the afternoon, really helps.
I hope this has helped some of you...I can't recommend the warm water exercise and Tai Chi enough...and just wanted to say I really know what you are going through...it's not easy, but you are never alone.
Sharon".
