Arthritis: An Everyday Struggle

            Arthritis is a chronic condition defined by pain. Everyday activities that most take for granted can give the feelings of embarassment, shame, and inadequacy. The important thing is that you are not alone. Stories and experiences of others can comfort those struggling with the same things.

            The first thought that might cross your mind if you are struggling with arthritis is, “I can’t get out of bed.” Debra Fisher, 52, shares her story: "A typical day for me is I get up in the morning and eventually sit on the edge of the bed. I have to sit there for a minute because my feet are so swollen, and that's just from being in bed. Then I just have to stand there for a minute and get my bearings. My hands are really puffy and my joints really ache, like a toothache. And then I just start moving." Feeling this way is completely normal. Getting up is not, in any way, easy for a person with arthritis. It takes great strength and courage to face another day with a chronic condition.

            Getting out of bed is not the only challenge people with arthritis face. Glenn, 54, shares, "The hardest thing to me was getting into the car. I used to go out five minutes before my wife and daughter because I didn't want them to see me psych myself up for the pain of swinging my legs into the car. It would take five minutes! Some mornings I just said to myself, 'I don't want to do this.' I dreaded it, it hurt so damn much." Life can become very frustrating with chronic conditions. It is not easy, but tackling everything, no matter how many times, is a great accomplishment in itself.

            For some, it can be much smaller things that become huge obstacles. Joanne, 72, says, “It's opening jars and bottles. Sometimes I leave them out for my cleaning lady or somebody like that to open. If sitting was hard, sometimes I would simply work standing up. There was a ledge in my office that I could use instead of sitting at a desk."  

            Arthritis is not an easy road. Everyday can turn into a challenge. It is important to know that arthritis conflicts many people that feel the same frustrations. Talking about the issues of a chronic condition is a great for coping and can help relieve some of the pain. So, talk it out! What do you have to lose?