Do you have control of your arthritis? Does it ever feel like arthritis controls you?
If your answers are along the lines of ‘sometimes’ and ‘yes’ (in that order), you are not alone! I’ve been battling severe rheumatoid arthritis for almost a quarter of a century and have never felt I was in complete control. There have been times when I’ve taken control of a situation or circumstance caused by the disease and even had occasions when I’ve outsmarted the beast, but I have yet to experience what it’s like to actually ‘control arthritis.’
Moderate to severe arthritis (take your pick of more than 100 forms) is an unpredictable disease that has the capability of branching into a multitude of directions. In comparison, it’s like an old, oak tree – arthritis being the trunk while the branches represent the many levels and degrees of pain, treatments, limitations, losses, surgery, dread, side effects, secondary illnesses, you name it! And don’t forget about the roots that lie underneath, hiding the secrets of loneliness, fear, depression and the unknown.
My intention here is not to spiral anyone into a depressed state, but to be truly understanding in an honest way. Arthritis is serious! Having control over all of the categories mentioned above (and those not mentioned) would be an impossible task!
The mission statement for the Arthritis Foundation is ”to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.”
Because arthritis is often misunderstood or dismissed from the realm of being serious by the public who’s never dealt with it intimately, the issues pertained to controlling it can be misinterpreted. To some, control could be as simple as taking an over-the-counter pill, while others see it as complex as finding a cure. For anyone who lives with arthritis daily, control is finding a tolerable, neutral ground somewhere in between.
In my blog, “Daily Routines” (9/7/10), Karen’s comment states, “I have made many changes to my daily routines. I no longer do daily walks or go to the gym for strength training. Even though I have good muscle tone, my joints can no longer withstand the stress. I can no longer work full-time. But have been fortunate finding a part-time position. I dress for comfort and no longer strive for being fashionable, particularly with shoes. I guess you can say my health has drastically changed over the last seven years and I have adjusted my life to managing and coping with the disease.”
This tells me Karen has accepted the changes brought on by her disease and rather than giving up completely, in essence has taken control by making the necessary adjustments. Although she’s experienced losses, I am encouraged by her words and the message!
Many of us have experienced the need to be stronger than those around us by withholding our thoughts. We do this for a number of reasons, but mostly to avoid being burdensome to friends and family or as a means of protection from the truth. By sharing among those who read my blog and truly understand, we can encourage and support one another.
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