Is There a Solution For Arthritis?

The year is 2008. I turn 43 towards the end of October. I wake up in the mornings in pain. And I wonder: Arthritis?

Of course, the first thing that enters my mind is the revelation that I do not really know what arthritis is. I know it has something to do with inflamed joints … but what is that? And why do joints become inflamed? The minute I google it I find over a hundred rheumatic diseases and conditions that may affect not only the joints but muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. Damage can be done to the skin, organs and eyes.

I sit still in awe.

I have often thought that rheumatism or arthritis is an old-age sickness. It’s not. I look at my symptoms just to get a head start. I am tired. I ache. I even have sore eyes. Sometimes I’m over-stressed and depressed – ever so slightly depressed … nothing major. My fingers, wrists, knees, ankles and feet ache constantly. I wake up stiff and in pain every morning. Sometimes I even wake up several times during the night because of the pain. Now even though I have no idea what is wrong with me, I realize I need two things: I need to visit my doctor. And I need to look at what I’m eating. Yes, I cannot ignore the fact that I work long hours, exercise irregularly and have a problem being over-weight. I know that as much as my diet is deficient of vitamins C and D, my lifestyle needs modification.

I discover online that weight loss can reduce joint pain. A diet that includes calcium-rich foods like the dark green vegetables, fresh fruit and fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) can help not only reduce weight but also pain. Eliminating meat, milk products, and vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers is also an effective way to inhibit the inflammatory process. Of course, being effective for some, this doesn’t guarantee that I will feel better. Exercise obviously is just as important.

I don’t think there is a medical drug that can cure the detrimental effects that arthritis has on the body, because most of what I read is solutions to reduce pain and inflammation. The drugs and treatment available provide relief but when one thinks of all the side effects of drugs, and the price, where exactly does the solution lie?

The good thing about arthritis is that it’s not a major cause of death like heart disease or cancer. The only pitfall is pain. The swelling and tiredness strangely enough can be handled. Pain on the other hand is a whole new ball game. The biggest future dampener: knowing that I can become immobile and dependent on help from (hopefully) family members.

One of the articles I wrote for Ezine was ‘Mind over Matter’. And I still believe we are what we think. If I allow the pain to affect me mentally, I surely will only feel pain and allow it to control my life. And that’s not viable. Being over-worked and stressed to the limit, I realize the importance of rest. So, positive thoughts and more rest seem to be an immediate solution. Well, both are possible. It’s not as if I have to save money or go out and buy a whole supply of fresh fruit and vegetables before I can achieve anything.

Positive thoughts require a realistic view of my situation. I need to slow down and listen to my body. I need to adapt not only physically but also mentally to my limitations. And it won’t help at all to feel frustrated or anxious about the situation.

I think the greatest gift of all, to whatever it is I’m dealing with, is the fact that I have such a supportive family. I always refer to my husband as my pillar of strength. Having the love, sympathy and support of both him and my children helps me through each day.

One day at a time sometimes becomes one hour at a time. And I’m only beginning with my tribulation. This is but the start of something. Yes, I’ve been suffering for perhaps more than a year now. But, I do realize it’s getting worse. And as an example, I would like to encourage everyone out there who seems to be going through a similar thing, to visit their doctor as soon as possible. I always wait almost until everything is unbearable. That’s not the way to go about life.

I remain positive as I know that the advances made in the medical field can, in the long run, prove to bring an end to a lot of the symptoms arthritis sufferers suffer. I look at my mother who has been suffering for almost ten years now. Her fingers are distorted and stiff. Yet, she persists in endurance. She’s my hero!