My Favorite Things

 

Feeling like I need an Oprah moment to share with you my favorite things that help manage the effects of living with spondylitis.  When I don’t feel well, I obsessively look online for items that will help relieve the pain and swelling in my joints.  My list below is some of my favorite tools to ease the pain. 

 ***Disclaimer:  The following items help me but you should talk with your doctor first about any treatment or item I am sharing.  I included links to these products but I am not a paid endorser…. just a gal who wants to share with the chronic illness community what I like best.

Sunbeam Heating Pad for Shoulder and Neck Relief:  I cannot live without this heating pad!  I use it every day.  It provides great relief to your aching neck and shoulders.  I also use this heating pad on my back every morning before I get out of bed.  This is one product I take with me when I travel because I don’t ever want to be without it.

I saw this item featured on QVC a few years ago.  I ended up buying it on Amazon for a lower price.  So, shop around!

https://www.sunbeam.com/pain-relief/heating-wraps/sunbeam-renue-neck-wrap-grey/700-825.html

Imak Compression Gloves and Socks:  When your hands and feet are swollen and painful, these arthritis gloves and socks are great.  They are like a gentle hug for your joints.  If they could make a bodysuit of their compression material, that would be great!   I’ve tried other brands but the level of compression can be too much for me.  Imak knows how to make just the right amount of compression without feeling too tight.

https://www.imakproducts.com/

Medterra CBD:  Shout out to Shawn for sharing this product line with me.  Medterra has a line of CBD products that I use when painful flares have got me down.  CBD Cooling Cream 250mg helps relieve my back and neck pain when it seems like nothing else will work.  When I have a flare that hits my whole body, I use their CBD tincture, 1000 mg.  What I like about the tincture is they include a dropper with measurements clearly printed on it.  I like to know exactly how much I’m taking.  Note:  Please talk to your doctor before trying CBD.  I discussed this with my Rheumatologist and had her review any interactions it may have with my medications.

https://medterracbd.com/

Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salts:  Dr. Teal, whoever you are, I love you!  Pour these Epsom salts into a hot bathtub and soak away.  These Epsom salts are infused with various essential oils.  They help soothe away your aches and pains.  They also leave your skin feeling very soft.  I usually buy this product at Target or Walmart.  Give them a try! 

https://www.drteals.com/products/

Heated Seats in my Suburu:  I never knew how much I would love my heated seats in my Suburu.  My husband and I like to take driving vacations, so we spend a lot of time in a car.  When I needed a new car, I wanted seats that would be comfortable for me.  Suburu seats felt good to me but included were heated seats.  When my back starts hurting during a day’s drive, I switch on the heated seat for some relief.  If you’re not in the market for a car and your seat is uncomfortable, search google for car seat cushions.  I’ve used them in the past and they provide quality support.   

Adagio Teas:  When I feel miserable, I am comforted by a good cup of tea.  Thank you to Katie for my Mother’s Day gift several years ago.  Adagio has a great selection of regular, decaf and herbal teas.  I have never been disappointed in the quality of their products.  Last year, my daughters Katie and Amanda bought me Adagio’s Advent Tea tree.  Each day in December was a new tea to try.  It was a delicious and thoughtful gift.

Dr. Pat's Hot Toddy:  And speaking of teas, there’s one more hack I’d like to share.  When all these treatments don’t seem to help or the arthritis flare seems to never get better, I retreat to the couch with a Hot Toddy. Be mindful of mixing alcohol with your medications.  It’s a nice drink especially on a winter’s night.

https://www.food.com/recipe/dr-pats-hot-toddy-cold-remedy-234344

My final tip:  If you are an Amazon shopper, www.smile.amazon.com is the place to go. A portion of your purchases is donated to your favorite charity.  I have mine set up to support my favorite organization, Spondylitis Association of America.

I hope you will find some of these hacks helpful.  What are your favorite things to relieve chronic pain?

 

 

From AS to PsA

 

 Credit:  http://hannahsinflammatorycomments.blogspot.com/2013/05/world-as-day.html

I’m still in denial about this…About a year ago, my rheumatologist changed my diagnosis from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) to Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).  This was due to unexplained rashes and dactylitis in addition to my symptoms of joint pain, joint swelling, muscle pain, and fatigue.  Dactylitis is also known as “sausage toe.”  Doesn’t that sound attractive?

My Identity

With this change in diagnosis, I feel like I’ve lost my identity.  I used to be “AS” and now I’m “PsA.”  To me, it’s like saying my name is no longer Theresa; now it’s Trixie.  But wait a minute!  I liked Theresa!

Psoriatic Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that can develop along with skin psoriasis.  Psoriasis is a rash of red patches on the skin with white, flaky scales.  Most patients develop psoriasis first, then are later diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis.  However, this wasn’t the case with me.  I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in February 2012.  I remember about a year later, I had two red patches on the front of my legs, above the ankles.  This rash also had an area of white, flake scales.  I didn’t put the connection together.  About a year after that, I had an unexplained rash on both of my legs but didn’t have the white patches.  My rheumatologist sent me to a dermatologist for treatment.  The doctor gave me a prescription that eventually cleared up the rash.

A Family of Diseases

Ankylosing spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis belong to a family of inflammatory diseases called Spondyloarthritis (SpA).  SpA diseases include:

Axial Spondylitis: where the main symptom is back pain. 

Peripheral Spondyloarthritis:  inflammation in the joints and tendons outside of the spine.

Reactive Arthritis: joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection in another part of your body.

Enteropathic arthritis/spondylitis:  an inflammatory arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), notably ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Embrace my inner “Trixie”

I will say goodbye to Ankylosing Spondylitis and say hello to Psoriatic Arthritis.  It’s all essentially the same disease, just with a variation of symptoms.  Spondyloarthritis is the over-arching term for a family of associated diseases. Therefore, I still fit under the umbrella of spondyloarthritis.

This change in diagnosis makes me reflect on the fact that my disease is my identity.  Is this a good thing or a bad thing?  It’s good because it is a platform for me to advocate for arthritis.  Speaking out about this disease, advocating for legislative change, and writing a blog have been my proactive approach in learning how to manage and accept this disease.  I can’t help but wonder do I solely identify with a chronic illness?  Am I letting this take control of me instead of controlling it?

Here’s the reality.  Yes, I am controlled by this disease because each day I am faced with pain.  This disease is front and center in my life.  The tricky nature of inflammatory disease is some days you feel better than others.  It’s difficult to plan your life because you never know how you will feel each day.  This disease has also forced me to obtain disability benefits because I able to work only a few hours a week. So, sadly, the answer is yes. 

While that may sound depressing, I know in my heart I have a lot to be thankful for.  I have a wonderful family that supports and encourages me.  I work a few hours a week at a community college working with first generation students, which is a highly rewarding experience.  I enjoy staying physically active and I’m interested in health and wellness.  I am grateful for all these things and so much more.  While PsA is a defining part of my life, it’s not my whole life.