Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn’t easy. Today, was no exception. I took it easy because my knees have throbbed all day since I woke up this morning.
I don’t know how to describe the pain. It feels like there is something putting pressure around my knees even if I’m laying down they are throbbing. When I move, the pressure and the pain intensifies; I want to scream.
So, I’ve put on a brave face not alerting my family of the ordeal or the pain because I don’t want them to worry.
Sometimes, I can’t hide it and just accept the offer of help. It makes life easier for me when I’m having a terrible day.
I focus on moving to keep my joints limber. The intense pain in the joints can become stiff, making me unable to move without assistance. I value my mobility so I keep walking.
When I was a teenager the years of therapy taught me to move despite the pain. Back then, it was harder for me to move the arthritis was more aggressive and fewer treatment options were available.
Back then, a terrible day affected all the joints including my knees. It took me forever to do anything or to walk anywhere and have people wondering what was wrong with me. I walked like an old person. People didn’t understand that arthritis can affect anybody at any age.
The internet has brought more knowledge to people understand arthritis can affect anyone at any age. The older I get, the less I hear of the myths.
The thing I struggle with the most is how fast the pain can hit suddenly. Here is an example, yesterday I felt good my knees ached, but the pain went away when I took some extra meds. I went to bed I felt good. No pain. Then this morning, I woke up with my knees and my hips throbbing. I took extra meds and the pain in my hips went away, but my knees continue to hurt.
The main factor is most likely the weather. A snowstorm hit my area earlier today. Now the temperature plummeted as bitterly cold air settles in for two days.
So, I will take it easy, take extra meds, watch some TV, and maybe read. I will pray tomorrow will be better.
Alexandra Mars 