Weather and Rheumatoid Arthritis
This post will address a few things:
How weather and changes of seasons influence my arthritis symptoms
An update on my arthritis lately
insecurity around wearing what helps my symptoms
Many people know that weather can impact arthritis. For me, I never really noticed this because I have struggled with my arthritis every day since I was diagnosed. I haven’t been able to go without prednisone. I do not plan to be on it forever, but until I am able to find the right treatment for me, this is working. Some nights I will try to skip taking my prednisone, but I will wake up in the middle of the night. I’ll be in full body pain, which reminds me that I cannot go without it. Lately I have been able to get away with a lower dosage, which is amazing. I started a new arthritis medication a few months ago, and I hope this means that it is finally helping. I do not see a new Rheumatologist until February, so I also hope I will have a better plan then.
For some reason I was able to go without my knee braces after my Disney trip last month. For weeks I was able to walk to my car after work without limping. This past week, however, I have been noticing my pain getting bad again. I believe it has to do with the weather getting colder. I don’t always realize how bad my knees are until I have to walk down the stairs. It takes me longer than most people, and I take one step and slowly drag the other leg behind me. At Aly’s family’s house I have crawled when I walk up the stairs, or cling to the railing when going down. I have skipped showers because I cannot lift my arms to wash my hair. One scary symptom I experience is that my elbow gets stuck in a bent position. It can take a full day or longer before I am able to straighten it. The pain with a subtle movement makes me want to cry. I do not always know what to do when it happens, other than prednisone + advil, and trying to straighten it with a slight twist behind my back.
stuck + swollen elbow
I do not mind wearing my knee braces to work, because they help me get through the day. However, I really have been trying to go without them. I can already sense that very soon I will be using them again. I have been needing to wear my wrist braces again as well. I dread winter, when I can’t take my key out of the ignition or key into my apartment. I am actually used to this by now. I know it is a part of my life, and I anticipate it. It still does not make it any easier. It is hard sitting down and being in pain when I try to stand up.
I think my eyes can sense a flare coming before the rest of my body. Light is so intense, even when it is dim. I am usually sensitive to light due to trauma or whatever the reason, but it is a different sensitivity with my arthritis. I do not always realize how much I am squinting and tense my forehead because of it. I bought light sensitivity glasses originally made for migraine sufferers. They are not the same as sunglasses, because they are meant for indoors as well. The lenses are darker, so it is easy for people to think I am wearing sunglasses. They help immensely but I am incredibly insecure wearing them at work. My supervisor told me not to worry about it, and to just wear them. I know she doesn’t care, but I certainly do. She can see how uncomfortable I am, and how my eyes can water easily. Still, I feel so silly wearing the glasses. I know not everyone understands, so I feel more insecure because of that. People ask questions, or give looks. It is not in a bad way, but I know they are curious. My old glasses were all they had in stock at the time, and they made me feel like Ozzy Osborne. I bought new ones, which are a lot better, but I am still insecure about the lenses.
the old glasses that made me feel like Ozzy. (only wore all of this when I was alone in my office)
It is hard with chronic illness because I know what helps me, but I still worry so much about what other people think. It is not written on my head, “I have RA!” I don’t mind telling people, I just wish I did not have to. A lesson I am learning is to just do what I need to do when I need to do it, and eventually people won’t be phased by it.
As a Peer Specialist, I sometimes briefly explain to the people I support, “I have RA and my eyes are sensitive today, I have to wear these glasses in case you are wondering why.” Luckily I have only done it about twice in meetings. Some people I support also have chronic illnesses, and they understand.
As I cope with the weather I know how important it is to take care of myself and to not push myself too hard. Sometimes this means icing my knees when I am home or at Aly’s. Sometimes this means texting my supervisor that I need to work from home. Sometimes this means taking a bath or sitting in the shower so I don’t have to stand. Most importantly, it means having compassion for myself. My body cannot help it, and it is trying its best.