When my rheumatology consultant diagnosed me with arthritis almost two decades ago I was handed a couple of leaflets with pictures of smiling pensioners on them and shown the door. Online resources were non-existent and social media hadn’t yet been invented. My life changed forever that day, yet I was alone and afraid with nowhere to turn for answers or advice.
About 20% of people with osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 8 million people in the UK – experience depression and anxiety. With more than half of people with arthritis having to give up hobbies due to severe pain, it’s no surprise that mental health is as much a concern as physical health.
If people living with arthritis are provided with the most up-to-date information about our condition – along with news on the latest research and treatments available – we’re more able to make informed choices about how to manage our condition and regain some element of control over our lives.
Things have come a long way since I was diagnosed and there are now a number of exercise groups and online forums, such as Arthur’s Place and Arthritis Care’s online community.
Despite the vast amount of support and resources out there, a study by Revealing Realities for Arthritis Research UK showed that 37% of people with arthritis found information about the condition difficult to understand. That is why charities such as Arthritis Research UK work to provide trusted, easy to understand information and advice.
The charity’s website provides a wide range of information on the different types of arthritis, medication, exercise and pain management. It also offers advice for those who care for a person with arthritis.
It has just launched a virtual online assistant, too. This artificial intelligence chat service is available on its website. People with arthritis can ask questions about osteoarthritis, exercise and pain management, 24 hours a day. It is in test mode at the moment, so the charity wants people to ask it questions about their condition in order to improve the service.
Olivia Belle, director of external affairs at Arthritis Research UK, says: “Arthritis causes invisible pain to more than 10 million people in the UK. It impacts many aspects of a person’s life, including their ability to go to work, their mental health and relationships.
“We know that there is a lot of confusing information out there. But with the right information, support and advice, people can learn to live better with arthritis.”
Nora Boswell, from Bradford, is 69 and has had osteoarthritis for the past 20 years
I have to pace myself, but taking things slowly is not my default setting, so I do find it frustrating that arthritis slows me down. I’ve had to give up knitting and crochet because of the pain, but I can still do some gardening, sewing and decorating.
I’ve found Nordic walking poles extremely useful as they balance me; I’d developed a stoop from the arthritis in my knee, so I also do exercises specifically to correct it, including a pilates class. I often don’t ache at all, and generally my knees only hurt when using stairs, but some days I ache all over, from my neck to my legs. The cold weather makes things worse.
Like so many people with arthritis I don’t look like I’m in pain, but I do ask for help when I need it, like getting my case on and off the luggage rack on the train. Usually several people will show a willingness to help. Close friends and family help, too, but many friends don’t know I have arthritis. I try not to show discomfort when I’m with other people, and that suits me, as I don’t want to be defined by my condition. I do think it’s rather unfair, though, that when you have a cold you’re asked how you’re feeling and when people say: “Get well soon”, you do actually get better. The thing with arthritis is you don’t get better, and nobody can say: “Get well soon”, so you feel a bit neglected sometimes.
I use the Arthritis Research UK website to find out about the latest treatments. On bad days I do fear for the future, so it’s important to keep myself up to date with the latest research, because that’s what gives me hope.
To find out how arthritis affects us all, please visit: arthritisresearchuk.org/jointproblem
