Young People: Arthritis Foundation

Finding out that you have arthritis, as a young person, can sound devastating, but it need not be. Arthritis and the many related musculoskeletal illnesses can affect individuals in varying ways with varying degrees of severity. There is a lot you can do to manage your condition successfully and get on with the important business of enjoying your life. This pamphlet is designed to help you in that process by providing some information about how you can help yourself, and by suggesting some ways to help you to KEEP MOVING!

What is arthritis?

Over one hundred different musculoskeletal and joint disorders are known as arthritis and affect about 2 million Australians. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It generally occurs with aging but can affect young adults. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form affecting young people. It produces joint inflammation as a result of the body's immune system attacking the tissues surrounding the joint, and also affects other body systems. Rheumatism is a general term which includes not only problems with the joints, but any problem affecting the muscles or soft tissues of the body. Some of the conditions associated with rheumatism include; fibrositis, fibromyalgia syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strain, sprains, lumbago, sciatica, whiplash injury and disc disease. Some types of arthritis and rheumatism can be prevented and effective treatment is available.

If any of the following symptoms persist for more than two weeks you should consult your doctor.

Planning your day.

To effectively manage your arthritis requires a little planning. Setting priorities and goals can help reduce stress and in turn increase your concentration, output and feelings of well being. One way to do this is to set your goals and priorities for the day in order of importance and simply work your way down the list. Don't put a time limit on each task, just complete it and then move on to the next one. Don't get frustrated if you do not finish all the tasks you have set yourself, some days you will, some days everything takes a little longer. Remember to include time for rest and gentle exercise in your plan.

What do I tell my friends?

We all want to be liked and accepted by our friends and join in with group activities. There may be some activities that you and your friends enjoy that sometimes you may be unable to do. You might find it best to be open and honest with your friends about why you can't always join in. Be positive; go along anyway, enjoy the things you can do with them. You might find that with a little planning or assistance you can take up the challenge and try lots of different activities.

Knowing your limits.

One of the characteristics of arthritis is that it waxes and wanes. Some days you feel that you can do anything. Other days, well, they’re not so hot. Take the time to really know what your body is saying to you, then follow its advice. This can be frustrating when something you really want to do causes you pain. But if you know your limits you can do most things. For example, if you really want to see a band, but your legs are too sore to stand up the front, find a seat! You may not see as much, but at least you were there.

Managing at school or work.

There are many situations, especially at school or work, where you are expected to fit in with a schedule or perform set duties. If you are finding some tasks too difficult, talk to your teacher or supervisor about your problem. Providing them with a pamphlet from the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria may be helpful. This may help you find a solution or an alternative. Always be on the lookout for tools and equipment that can help you work more efficiently and effectively. Word processors and dictaphones can make writing less of a strain on your hands; rearranging or relocating your work area may save you time and energy. Remember that discrimination on the grounds of arthritis is generally illegal and there are appropriate avenues of help available.

Many ideas and resources are available from organisations like the Independent Living Centre.

Overcoming fatigue and pain.

Feeling unwell a lot of the time can be very frustrating and lead to feelings of anger and depression. Pain is one way that the body tells us that something is wrong. With arthritis, that often means that the painful joints need rest. Explore a range of techniques to manage fatigue and pain. Try to explain how you feel and in what ways they can support you. Talking about your feelings with someone you are close to can help you understand yourself and how you can manage your disease. Don't be afraid of discussing your fears and anxieties with your doctor who may be able to help.

Relaxation

Relaxation techniques can be very helpful in relieving pain. When you learn to relax your muscles, they become less tense so it is easier and less painful to move the joints. It can take a while to learn the techniques, but with patience and practice they come easier. There are several different methods to choose from, and many are available on audio tapes. If one method does not seem to be making any difference or becomes boring after a couple of weeks, you can try another. These relaxing meditative approaches require a quiet time and place, a comfortable position and passive attitude. This means you need to empty your mind of all worrying thoughts and distractions. Just a few minutes each day can make a positive contribution to your daily attitude, and help reduce stress.

Medication for arthritis.

Much research is being undertaken in Australia and overseas to understand the causes of arthritis and to develop more effective treatments. Currently a wide variety of medications is available to treat the signs and symptoms of arthritis. These can be classified into the following groups:

Your doctor or pharmacist can explain the different drugs to you in more detail. Finding the right medication regime to best control your arthritis can take time and involve some trial and error because everyone’s arthritis is different. This can be frustrating but it is the only way to determine the optimal treatment plan for you. Best results are generally obtained by working closely with your doctor.

Eating well for energy and good health.

You may have heard about lots of different diets to treat your arthritis. There is little scientific evidence that diet is a major factor in causing or controlling arthritis. However, research into this area is continuing because many people do report that different foods seem to have an effect on their arthritis.

Eating a well balanced diet is important for good general health, which in turn will help your body to cope with the extra stress of arthritis. A diet high in fibre, fresh and unprocessed foods and with lots of variety is a good start. Keeping your weight within the normal range for your height and age will prevent extra strain on your joints. A dietitian can provide more help in this area.

Keep Moving

Exercise is a vital part of managing your arthritis. Regular gentle exercise improves posture, balance and muscle tone, helps prevent osteoporosis and beats fatigue. Different types of exercise help in different ways:

An effective exercise program will contain all these types of exercise. One of the best ways for people with arthritis to exercise is in water (hydrotherapy) which supports the joints, provides resistance to work against and warmth to relax and relive muscle and joint pain. Even when your joints are painful and inflamed they should be exercised gently each day to maintain their range of movement thus their function. The motto of The Arthritis Foundation of Victoria is "Move It or Lose It". Just because you have arthritis does not necessarily mean that you cannot play sport.

Personal relationships

Having arthritis need not prevent you having a satisfying sexual relationship. Some types of arthritis and their treatment can lead to a decrease in sexual desire, or some physical discomfort. It may help to talk with your partner about your needs or try some alternative positions. This requires honesty, patience and understanding from both partners in a relationship. Remember that love and affection can be expressed in many ways and all relationships benefit from clear communication.

Should I have children?

People with arthritis may have concerns about whether they can cope with children, how pregnancy might affect their arthritis and if their children will develop the disease. In general there is no reason why a person with arthritis will not have a successful pregnancy and raise a healthy family. Each case will be different and requires careful thought and planning. Some medications used to treat arthritis are toxic to the developing foetus and other treatments may need to be used when planning to conceive and during pregnancy.

Pregnancy actually relieves the symptoms of arthritis in about 80% of women with rheumatoid arthritis. However it is common that the disease will flare up soon after the birth of the child, which can pose difficulties for a new mother. Being aware that this may happen and preparing for all possibilities may make child raising easier. Support from family and friends and community services can help when caring for a new baby. Most parents agree that the joy children can bring to your life outweighs the extra strain.

Support from others.

It often helps to talk with someone you trust, perhaps a family member, a friend or your doctor or another health professional. You can also gain lots of ideas and support from other young adults with arthritis, especially through the Young Adults Arthritis Group at the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria.

Having a good relationship with your doctor will ensure better understanding of your needs and problems and together you can develop a strategy to help you gain and maintain optimum health. Don't be afraid to ask questions (write them down and take them with you if you think you might forget) and ask for a full explanation of the aims, expected results, possible side effects and costs of treatment.

Resources.

Here is a list of some resources in the community that may be of help to you in managing your arthritis:

The Resource Centre at the Arthritis Foundation has available for members:

There is a variety of treatment and health care options from which you can select to develop a program which suits you best in terms of time, cost, aims, results and philosophy. Developing a program that helps you keep well can take a lot of effort and trial and error, but the results will be worth it in the end.