Friday, August 29, 2008

Facing Arthritis Blog

If you scroll down on the right hand side bar my blog links, you will find a blog called Facing Arthritis. This blog is authored by Judith Lautner and is about her management of her arthritis by following the techniques in the book Arthritis RX. She is trying to avoid NSAIDs and other medications and opting for exercise, diet, and alternative management methods. Her blog is an interesting read and might have some good ideas for anyone who is struggling with NSAIDs. I can also relate to her struggles with pain management, exercise, and motivation! Check out her blog through the link in the right side bar.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Arthritis and Cooking

Here's one of the most frustrating activities I run into with my arthritis, cooking. I can't count how many times I have to run to my husband with a jar, can or package I can't open because of my unstable fingers. And how about when my Good Grips jar opener broke after one too many torques? Aside from all of this, I really have adapted many of the ways I cook and I love my new KitchenAid mixer! It does all the work so I don't have to! Get one if you don't have one! Here's the article link, Arthritis and Cooking.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Exercise With Arthritis

Here's an article that we should all pay attention to, Exercise With Arthritis. I am just as bad as anybody on this one. It is so easy to just say, Oh, I hurt too much to go to aquatics class today, so I'm going to skip it. Guilty as charged! It's not a good thing to do. If you have arthritis, you know that not exercising can make you stiffen up just as much as not taking your medications. So it's time for me to practice what I preach, and time for you to read this article and get off the couch!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I jumped to carpal tunnel syndrome during this arthritis series as it commonly occurs secondary to arthritis. The best cure for carpal tunnel syndrome, I found out, is to sit around and do absolutely nothing for 3 months. My ex grandfather-in-law did this and his symptoms completely disappeared. (I'm not kidding - he really did absolutely nothing.) Of course, this is not a practical approach for most people. I hope this article, Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, will help explain carpal tunnel syndrome and why so many people who do not work at repetitive motion jobs get the condition.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Arthritis and House Cleaning

This next article in my arthritis series, Arthritis and House Cleaning, addresses issues that are similar to those in the last post, Arthritis and Home Maintenance. The difference is that the tasks involved are focused on every day cleaning chores, but the principles are the same. Anyone who has arthritis and has to run a household should find these techniques useful. If you pace yourself and adapt some tasks to make them easier, you will save yourself some pain and aggrevation. Click on the links to read the articles.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Arthritis and Home Maintenance

I have written these arthritis articles to provide some information for people on how to manage everyday activities in spite of pain and stiffness. Here's the next one, Arthritis and Home Maintenance. This article gives some advice on how to adapt activities like home repairs and yardwork. I hope it is valuable to all you do-it-yourselfers.

Here's one home maintenance item I wouldn't be without - a self propelled lawn mower. If you have one of these, try pushing it without the propulsion for a couple of turns, then turn on the propulsion. Notice the difference? My shoulders and wrists just can't take it unless the propulsion is on. Of course, for you lucky people with riders, this doesn't matter! If you have a condo, it really doesn't matter! Anyway, click on the link to read the article.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Arthritis and Clothing

Here's a helpful hints article, Arthritis and Clothing. I was trying to find a website that offered adaptive clothing for people who have trouble dressing themselves. I also wanted this clothing to be somewhat fashionable - not the usual little old lady stuff. I found plenty of sites, but nothing that eliminated the little old lady factor! If anyone has any recommendations, please reply to this post! Anyway, the article will give you recommendations for adapting dressing techniques and the clothing you already have. Click on the title to read it.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

What Is Spondyloarthropathy

My next article in my arthritis series, What Is Spondyloarthropathy, hits home for me a bit, as this is what I was first diagnosed with. After I finally landed myself in a competent rheumatologist's office, he really wasn't sure what my symptoms pointed to, so he told me I had this type of arthritis. He, of course, didn't tell me this right away. He just told me this was the type I had. Later, after a few visits, he started writing RA on my note sheets. When I questioned him about it, he explained that I had symptoms of both and, while I didn't have the factors in the blood work, my physical symptoms and family history indicated seronegative RA. I am sure I'm not the only one who has been through this scenario, so if anyone cares to comment, please do so.