After eight years of coping with chronic pain, I thought I had accepted my new reality. But a nightmarish reminder of what I was missing really threw me for a loop.
It’s almost eight years since I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and then fibromyalgia. Over this time, I’ve had low days where I struggled to step up on a curb or get off a sofa — but I’ve also had many highs. I found the courage to leave a bad and very stressful relationship, lose 50 pounds, graduate from college, and start a career.
For me, being at peace with my diseases does *not* mean I don’t get scared or frustrated or upset when my ability to function decreases. My emotions and my reality are very raw. It *does* mean that I know I will flare, and when I do, I try not to get angry with my body or myself.
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I try to accept that my body is telling me what it needs and then comply. I have stopped fighting the undulating curves of my disease activity and I try to accept it for what it is — an intense and unpredictable ride. I tell myself it is what it is.
One night about a month ago, I dreamt that I was hiking and camping along a river in Colorado in a competition. Everyone was in groups trying to whitewater raft down the river and finish first. In my dream I experienced day and night, sleeping in a tent, being tired from hiking, and getting wet from rain. I had highs and lows and it was amazing.
What I did not have was pain or diseases of any kind. I was just myself in this dream — the self that existed before my diagnosis. I was my young and vibrant self, and I could run circles around people 10 years younger. I was my happy and excited healthy self, traveling in the woods and floating on the river and experiencing the outdoors in a way that I dearly miss.
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When I opened my eyes I did not recognize my bedroom. My dream had been so real that it took several minutes before I understood why I was so stiff and why I had pain in my body in so many places. It was a crushing realization after the respite from my dream.
When it became clear it was a dream I hit an emotional low, a low I had never experienced over the course of my diseases.
And trust me, I have been low over the years, struggling with anxiety and depression my whole life and then a panic attack after I was first diagnosed. The torment of slowly waking up to a disease-riddled body that was not pain free and not in the wilderness was almost more than I could bear.
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That morning there was no being at peace with my disease. The hate for my body and myself swelled like heat in my chest, tingled over my ribs, and vibrated with each breath. I could feel the depth of loss in the air as I rolled over and closed my eyes, wishing I were still in those woods in that tent.
Intense anger sprang up and grabbed me around the throat. I struggled to contain loathing and disgust. I wanted that dream — and not my reality. I wanted to be pain free. I wanted to wake up and bounce out of bed. I wanted the joy of being outside and in a tent and loving the thrilling, refreshing quiet.
Then after bottoming out, I shifted gears. I made some choices. I chose to focus on the good things happening in my life. I chose to examine the horrible feelings I was feeling. I chose not to judge myself.
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I began talking to myself in a mantra. I began to repeat that I forgave myself and began to relax my grip on the chasm of pain that separated me from the reality of that dream. I began to forgive so I could continue to live the best life possible for me. I began to hate myself less.
I will be joining a gym to swim soon. Water is meditative and resets me. I will be purchasing a bicycle so I can ride the trails with my girlfriend. My life may not be pain free, but it is my life and no pain or disease can take it away from me. I will live and breathe and love my broken body despite the chaos of disease.
Is a digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research. We represent patients through our popular social media channels, our website , and the 50-State Network, which includes nearly 1, 500 trained volunteer patient, caregiver and healthcare activists."Many people experience joint pain, muscle stiffness, and injury pain during the rainy season owing to the changes in the humidity levels, atmospheric pressure, sudden shift in the temperature, and precipitation, " said a doctor
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Have you ever noticed that your bones hurt more during rainy days, sometimes making it difficult for you to carry on with your daily chores? While monsoon is often mesmerising, it can turn into a nightmare within no time. “There is a correlation between changing weather and joint pain. Cold weather can give a tough time to your joints. Many people experience joint pain, muscle stiffness, and injury pain as soon as the monsoon begins owing to the changes in the humidity levels, atmospheric pressure, sudden shift in the temperature, and precipitation. This is so because high humidity levels can thicken the blood, raise blood pressure in the blood vessels, and make one’s body work harder in order to pump blood, ” explained Dr Ashwani Maichand, orthopaedic surgeon, Apollo Spectra Karol Bagh, Delhi.
Humid days can also lead to dehydration which, in turn, decreases the concentration of fluid around the joints and worsens the pain. To top it all, these factors can also worsen arthritis pain and there is a decreased range of motion, the expert added. A large number of people, especially above 60, complain of joint pain and stiffness, and panic as well. Thus, it is essential to manage the pain instead of ignoring it, he noted.
It is one of the best ways to provide relief to sore muscles and achy joints. Opting for a hot or a cold compress or an alternate compress can help you alleviate joint pain. Apply oil on the joints and gently massage the area; this will also enhance circulation. A cold compress can also be beneficial in tackling a fresh injury or discomfort during monsoons.
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Exercising can be a boon for your aching joints and stiff muscles. Do not forget to go for morning walks, stretch the muscles, do yoga, do leg exercises, Pilates, Parkour, aerobics, strength training or cycling to keep the joints in good shape. But, avoid going overboard as it can harm your joints. It will be a good idea to consult a physiotherapist to understand the exercises you can do, and should avoid as certain exercises can aggravate pain.
Vitamin E can be a boon for those having joint pain. It is an antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals.(Source: Pixabay)
Vitamin E can be a boon for those with joint pain. It is an antioxidant that fights and protects the body from free radicals which damage the body muscles and even the skin cells. Moreover, vitamin E can also help reduce pain and inflammation. Nuts, avocado, berries, green vegetables, seeds, and fish are some good sources. Don’t forget to load up on fruits, whole grains, almonds, and walnuts. Avoid pickles, sweets, desserts, cakes, pastries, artificial sweeteners and flavours, colas, sodas, pickles, processed, oily, and canned food that can worsen your pain. Having hot soups can lower inflammation in the body, and drinking water can help you stay hydrated, improve joint elasticity, and reduce pain.
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Cut down on sodium to manage water retention and swelling in the body. Even a calcium and protein-rich diet can do wonders for your health. Don’t forget to eat flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, paneer, and eggs. You need to consult an expert regarding the foods you need to eat or remove from your diet during monsoon.
“Lack of vitamin D and B 12 can also result in numbness, tingling sensation, and joint pain. So, speak to your doctor and get yourself evaluated on time. Do not overexert yourself and get a good amount of rest, ” said Dr Maichand.Painsomnia. Medication hangovers. Out-of-nowhere symptoms. Eileen Davidson may not have the solutions for these RA frustrations and more — but she hopes sharing them validates what you’re feeling too.
Rheumatoid arthritis — even when well controlled can be bumpy and come with many frustrations. In my seven years of knowing why my body isn’t functioning quite right I’ve had to learn to either adapt or accept some of the biggest frustrations.
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I may not have solutions to all my frustrations living with RA, and that’s part of the frustration. There are constant barriers I
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