The Arthritis Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like arthritis, you are never alone. Countless men, women and children (there is a juvenile form of arthritis) have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.

TSC has scoured the Web to gather together links to the very best arthritis resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional, and other challenges you're facing now.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this arthritis guide even more helpful to survivors like you.

JUST FOUND OUT

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Arthritis

Survivors say these are the best resources for those who have just found out they have arthritis:

• Arthritis Foundation: Just Diagnosed with Arthritis
• Arthritis Foundation Forum: Just Diagnosed (online community)
• Healthcentral.com: Newly Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Big Picture

If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Most kinds of arthritis cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause problems in your organs, such as your eyes or skin. This National Institutes of Health page helps explain common signs of arthritis:

Do I Have Arthritis?

Your Arthritis

There are different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. You'll want to talk to your doctor about the type you've been diagnosed with, and anything else you should know about your case to help you understand your prognosis (outlook) and the treatment you'll need to undergo to stay as healthy as possible. This WedMD page is a good overview to the various types:

Most Common Arthritis Types

Understanding Your Symptoms

About.com sums up how to recognize this common condition:

Arthritis Signs & Symptoms

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Arthritis

eMedicinehealth.com: Arthritis - Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Your World

Arthritis can be a debilitating disease and one that may make you feel depressed, frustrated, angry and more, especially as the condition worsens over time and it becomes more difficult, or even impossible, to do the things you used to be able to do with ease. Controlling pain is a big help in improving your outlook, so be sure to talk to your doctor if your pain is not being managed effectively. Here are some places to find emotional support when you need it:

• About.com: Athritis Advice -- Mutual Support, Online Forums/Message Board
• Mayoclinic.com: Rheumatoid arthritis - Coping and Support
• Mayoclinic.com: Psoriatic arthritis - Coping and Support
  

How to Determine if You Need a Second (or Third) Opinion

This advice, from Yale-New Haven Hospital, doesn't relate directly to arthritis, but it's good advice for getting a second medical opinion for any serious health condition:

Getting a Good Second Opinion

How to Explain Arthritis to Friends and Family

It’s wise to let those who are close to you know more about arthritis; this will help them understand the progression of the disease and what you are likely to be able to do, and what you can't - in short, how arthritis will affect your life. The information here may help:

About.com: Friends and Family - Do They Understand Your Arthritis?

Arthritis Myths

• "Only old people get arthritis."
• "There are cures for arthritis."
• "Arthritis can be caused by your environment."
• "Arthritis is caused by eating a poor diet."
• "Arthritis is just achy joints and sore knees."

Found out the truth here:

Arthritis Myths: Arthritis Foundation

Information for Survivors Dealing with Arthritis

• NIH: Living with Arthritis
• Arthritis Foundation: How to Care for Yourself
• AOL Health: Arthritis -- Living with It

Types of Treatment

How you'll be treated depends on the type of arthritis you have. But all forms of arthritis benefit from getting enough sleep; exercise and physical therapy; and a proper diet. Other therapies might include hydrotherapy (water) and relaxation therapy. Medication is usually part of your treatment, to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints; this can range from over-the-counter pain relievers for mild osteoarthritis to prescription medications for those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Medical Treatment

• WebMD: Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
• WebMD: Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment 
• WebMD: Psoriatic Arthritis - Treament

If you want to consider alternative therapies like supplements, massage, and acupuncture, check out this Arthritis Foundation page:

Alternative Therapies

How Do I Receive Help Without Being a Burden to My Family or Friends?

If you have advanced arthritis you may need help to do things - and that can make you feel like you're becoming a burden to those you love. Keep in mind that everybody goes through trials in life and by accepting help when it is needed, you can get through this easier. Talk openly with your friends and family and let them know exactly how they can help you, and ask them to be honest when they need a break.

Resources to Find Doctors

• National Institutes of Health: Who Treats Osteoarthritis?
• American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Find an Orthopaedist
• American College of Rheumatology: Membership Directory

Books Arthritis Survivors Suggest

• The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book: Protect Yourself and Your Family from Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Allergies - and More by Jessica K. Black
• The Arthritis Handbook: Improve Your Health and Manage the Pain of Osteoarthritis by Grant Cooper
• The Arthritis Helpbook by Kate Lorig
• Arthritis: What Exercises Work -- Breakthrough Relief For The Rest Of Your Life, Even After Drugs & Surgery Have Failed by Dava Sobel and Arthur C. Klein
• Conquering Arthritis: What Doctors Don't Tell You Because They Don't Know -- 9 Secrets I Learned the Hard Way by Barbara D. Allan
• The First Year: Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by M.E.A. McNeil and Kenneth Sack

Communicating with Your Health-care Providers

• Keep in touch to let your doctor know how your symptoms -- especially pain -- is being managed.
• Don't hide anything from your doctor; the more she knows, the better able she is to create or adjust your treatment plan.
• Write down questions before your appointment and jot down the answers so you don't forget.

Information For Co-Survivors

How You Can Help

• Share your personal struggle with arthritis with other co-survivors.
• Encourage your survivor to seek and stick with treatment.
• Offer any assistance your survivor needs, but don't try to do everything for them.

What to Say

• "I'm here if you need anything."
• "We'll go as slow as you need to."
• "Are you in pain?"

What Not to Say

• "It's all in your head."
• "You could do more if you really tried."
• "Just take some aspirin and you'll feel better."

Things You Can Do for a Survivor Today and Every Day

• Understand and accept that they may be unable to keep up with you.
• Call or email your support.
• Let them know that they can count on you for whatever they need.

How to Build a Support Network

• Set up a TSC co-survivor profile for yourself.
• Start an arthritis support group or join one.
• Provide updates on your life helping someone with arthritis.

How to Help Survivors Deal with Disruptions in Day-to-Day life

• Offer to help them accomplish tasks they need help with.
• Encourage them to exercise.
• Help them to understand what is most important in their life (it's not their disease).

How Can You Help

• Share how you got through a health crisis or other hardship yourself.
• Learn more about arthritis and share what you've learned from reputable sources.
• Be patient.

There is no cure for arthritis and the condition is usually progressive. Recovery usually means doing the best you can to manage symptoms, especially pain and swelling. This can be very stressful and emotional, especially as it becomes harder to do the things you love. Here's some good advice on maximizing your health now, managing stress, and finding sources of emotional support:

• University of Washington: Stress and Arthritis
• Netwellness.org: Staying Healthy with Arthritis
• Arthritis Foundation: Healthy Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Arthritis Foundation: Pain Management Center
• Arthritis Foundation: Introduction to Exercise
• Dailystrength.org: Arthritis Support Group

At its worst, arthritis causes unrelenting, crippling pain that makes even the most basic daily activities difficult or impossible. In fact, arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the US. It is possible to die of arthritis. Strengthforcaring.com has this resource for advanced arthritis and joint problems:

• Joint Pain & Arthritis Overview

This site offers help for dealing with the difficult emotions that may come up with advanced arthritis:

• About.com: Living and Coping with Arthritis

It may be time to start considering Social Security disability if you're currently employed:

• About.com: Social Security Disability Insurance - Do You Qualify?