Arthritis Deserves Respect
Arthritis is a bummer. There is no question about it. You can't get cured and you don't even get a ribbon. I think we need to change the name of arthritis to: Juvenile Pre-Cancerous Joint Lesions. Why? Because all the money in this country goes to the research of cancer (especially breast cancer) and pediatric diseases. Arthritis affects everyone - including men. Sort of fits into my Titanic theory of public relations - women, and children first, let the men die.
There is a particular quirky discrimination in the government concerning people with arthritis - you are not allowed to get from the car to the curb if you did not drive to the curb in the first place. How does this play out? In NY State you cannot get a handicap sticker unless you are the driver and have a license. I have an elderly couple with the wife as my patient. He drives, she does not. She has severe arthritis. They have been denied a handicap sticker because according to the powers that be "he can drop her off at the curb, park in a regular spot and meet up with her." Which idiot thought this one up? Why doesn't the law simply say "You may throw her out of the car at 35 miles per hour so you don't need some extra consideration."
Maybe, just maybe arthritis patients need some extra help. Maybe we can loosen up on the rules a bit for 43 million Americans who are in daily pain. We really need to treat people with disease and disability with a bit more dignity.
- Dr. K.
Related Topics: Managing the Outside World, Living Successfully with Chronic Illness, Devices to Help With Arthritis
There is a particular quirky discrimination in the government concerning people with arthritis - you are not allowed to get from the car to the curb if you did not drive to the curb in the first place. How does this play out? In NY State you cannot get a handicap sticker unless you are the driver and have a license. I have an elderly couple with the wife as my patient. He drives, she does not. She has severe arthritis. They have been denied a handicap sticker because according to the powers that be "he can drop her off at the curb, park in a regular spot and meet up with her." Which idiot thought this one up? Why doesn't the law simply say "You may throw her out of the car at 35 miles per hour so you don't need some extra consideration."
Maybe, just maybe arthritis patients need some extra help. Maybe we can loosen up on the rules a bit for 43 million Americans who are in daily pain. We really need to treat people with disease and disability with a bit more dignity.
- Dr. K.
Related Topics: Managing the Outside World, Living Successfully with Chronic Illness, Devices to Help With Arthritis
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9 Comments:
I agree. Arthritis is a bummer. It's more than that. It's a pain, alot of pain. I think that's the stupidest law in NY that I've ever heard! I'm not elderly. I'm 46. I've had a handicapped sticker for several years. Yes, I drive. But, my arthritis has advanced so much that I don't go very many places anymore. I tell everyone that most of my social engagements are doctor appointments anymore. Sad, huh?! Most of the time my husband does drop me off at the entrances but does park in a handicapped spot because I will walk back out to the van. But, no one has ever complained that he has dropped me off and then parked in a handicapped spot. Although I do get some weird looks until I get out and start walking then I just get looks of pity. I feel worse for my daughter. She's only 14. Although she can't wait till she gets her license. Then I guess I'll never have to worry about driving again! Oh my Gosh, watch out!!!!
I just happened to read this and I can't believe NY has this law. My dad lives in MI and he has a handicapped sticker and he does not drive due to his MS. My mom does all the driving and she is the one with both RA and osteo arthritis. She is fortunate that she is still able to drive relatively pain free. I am just starting to show signs for RA and it is affecting my ability to hold on to the steering wheel and I am not yet 42.
Yes, and so you cannot drive, but you are not disabled enough for handicapped transportation services. So you are reduced to riding a bus, if your city is "lucky" enough to have public transportation, and it can be physically very difficult. The jerking motion of the bus is very hard on your neck and back. Then there is walking long distances to and from bus stops, and through parking lots, because it seems that busses never stop near grocery stores or other shops. cities are designed for cars, not pedestrians. Sometimes you have to walk for blocks in order to cross the street at a stop light. Frequent trips are necessary because you cannot carry lots of packages at one time. I was told by a bus driver that they did not like people to bring those little carts on the bus because they take up too much room, yet a wheelchair takes up the space of four or more seats. Even if you can afford a taxi cab it is not the answer if your city has unreliable cab service. So what is the answer for people with arthritis? Or even seniors who are too old to drive?
I have no problems with the comments regarding handicap stickers and people suffering from disabling arthritis. I do have a problem with your comment regarding the amount of money spent on Breast cancer research and your comment about women and children first and let the men die. If men had to have anannual test done to their testicles that is equivalent to the mammogram in technique, there would be a more comfortable test available, and it wouldn't be as inaccurate as the mammogram. Insurance companies have been paying for the PSA test for men for years and they do not pay for the CA 125 test for women to help with early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, which is much more deadly than prostate cancer. This is even true for women at high risk for ovarian cancer. Women have been used as Guinea pigs for a long time in medicine. What about Hormone Replacement Therapy?It was widely touted as important for protecting the heart, and has been proven to do no such thing. As a DES daughter, I'd like to know your opinion on the use of DES in the 1950's for preventing miscarriages-some thing it did NOT do- and the subsequent increased cervical dysplasia, infertility, preterm labor problems, breast cancer, early osteoporosis and other as yet undetermined problems that the daughters born after exposure in utero to DES have to contend with for the rest of there lives. Breast cancer affects a huge percentage of the female population, and the number of premenopausal women affected is growing every year. Could it be that the reason so much money is spent on research is because so many women have been affected? All lives are important regardless of gender. The younger you are, the more tragic it is when dealing with any disease that takes the life of a person before they have reached the "average" life expectancy age for their gender group.
So many comments, so little time/space. I live in NY and drive my mom who is blind and has arthritis. SHE has the handicapped sticker, not me. But I too have arthritis so I admit, I use it even when she's not with me. I have arthritis in both hands, my lower back, knees, feet and hips. I am 55. I have a sister 7 years younger who also has arthritis. I've had arthoplasty on my left thumb and my right one will need it soon. Some days it hurts so much to walk that I just stay home. I'm fortunate to have a ranch-style house with only 2 steps down into a laundry room and the bedroom but just getting up those two steps in the morning is a real eye opener! AND it hurts to drive - to hold the wheel, keep my foot on the gas. I was on BEXTRA and it really helped, but of course, no more. My doctor said "take Tylenol." Sorry doc. I might as well drink a glass of water as much as that would help. So yes, more research, better meds, consideration of all age groups, all those things would be helpful. As for mammograms - had one yesterday and I'm bruised. I was told they had to do it that way due to new "protocols" dealing with mammograms for those with implants. This is the second time I've gone home with bruises and tears. I will never have another mammogram, no matter what. If an ultrasound won't be ordered or covered, I'll take my chances and I'm sure I'm not the only woman who feels this way. It's terrible to be 55 and feeling like life sucks.
I am a 32 year old woman and I’ve had RA for 10 years. Both of my knees were replaced July 2004. You know, even though I am weak, in pain, heavily medicated, and facing multiple joint replacements; I like who I am. I feel like I am a better person. I have more compassion and patience for others. I live for myself now and not for other people. I make a point of enjoying the little moments and look for joy and happiness where I can. Because life is painful. Life doesn’t hold back on its punches. But life is also precious and happy moments can be rare. When I first got sick, within 3 months I was bedridden, wracked with so much pain I couldn’t move. I wanted to die. I tried to die. I wanted the pain to end. Around that time I picked up a Terry Pratchett book. He gave me laughter in a time when I didn’t think it was possible. I had something to look forward to. I’m thankful now to be where I am. I think with time comes acceptance. My pain has filtered out all the superficial trappings I thought were necessary. What I thought others expected of me. Now I know that loved ones are most important to me in my life. That fiction is a wonderful pasttime. That knowledge is a personal enrichment. This world is a deep place with history and stories to share. I may not move much or well, but I enjoy my time. The way life is you just have to laugh. Laughter is the best medicine of all.
I would Like to speak to Audrey about her DES. I too am a DES Daughter have had a hysterctomy, cervex removed and now in the early stages of vaginal and vulvar cancer. Also a brain aneurysm and trying to piece it all together. i get so angry at the Drug companies still pushing their wares on TV as magical cures. Very Helpless feeling. no one knows about the disease anymore.
I am 23 years old and have been suffering from Arthritis for 22 years. Juvenile then RA and I found out yesterday that I have developed Osteo in my left knee. I am very active and have always been an athlete leaving me with six meniscus tears, three knee surgeries and now osteo. I strongly agree that arthritis is often overlooked and that yes tylenol does as much as a glass of water. I was also on bextra and vioxx at one time and those drugs were my only relief....now I am on Enbrel and it is the worst medication I have ever taken. I am constantly sick and get sores and boils all over my body. As a 23 year old with my first full time job this does nothing for my quality of life...Arthritis is extremely debilitating, painful and depressing. However I have lived with it for 22 years, played softall for 16, basketball for 6 and I snowboard...I have not let it hold me back yet and I don't intend on letting it anytime soon...but this would be more plausable with better treatment options and... gasp...a cure!?
Flare time...
As a new patient with Lupus and RA, I have been in such pain and tiredness. I have 5 children and still want to move, but walking is so painful in the hips and tiring, that I think of using a wheelchair so I don't miss out on everything outside the house - shopping, etc. Is that coping out? I hopefully wont feel this way much longer and my distance walking is increasing some.... opinions wanted
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