How many times has somebody told you they had no idea you had arthritis?

“You look too healthy” they say, or “You’re so active” or, even, “You don’t get arthritis at your age.”

The fact is that arthritis does not care how old you are, or how healthy and active. And while such comments are well-meaning, they can make you – the one suffering – feel like you have exaggerated the pain.

“You look great. You still get about. You’re not even seventy! Having arthritis can’t be that bad – can it?”

Arthritis Pain

Recently, many of you have been kind enough to share your experiences of living with the pain of arthritis. At Live Well Now we think these statements show that you are a remarkable community of people who in the face of what is often an extreme and disabling pain, demonstrate remarkable reserves of courage and strength. Your bravery is an inspiration to us all, and these statements are a powerful counter to the comments from people who misunderstand the true nature of this condition.

What You Say

Here are just a few of the comments you have shared:

“I have osteoarthritis in many joints and bursitis in my left hip. It is very painful. But I can’t take painkillers for it and have to have steroid injections when it gets really bad.”

“I’ve had osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis for years. I can hardly walk now. I’m off medication as it affects my kidneys. I’m in constant pain and can’t get out much because if it.”

“I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus this year. It has completely changed my life. I was a fit and healthy person and now I suffer aches and pains every morning. Life’s not going to be the same, it’s very depressing.”

“I feel like a prisoner in my own body.”

“People don’t really understand the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis. They make well-intentioned suggestions but they don’t have a clue – it’s not their fault.”

“My mind still wants to do things but my body won’t.”

Paying Attention To What We Eat

As we know, there is no straightforward cure for arthritis, in any of its forms. Medication can help but in time its’ positive impact can reduce and it may even begin to cause damage elsewhere in the body.

We now realise that a good diet is central to the maintenance of daily good health and that it can help reduce the risk of chronic disease in later life. It makes sense that we look at our nutrition when managing our arthritis condition and while there are lots of foods that can exacerbate flare-ups the obvious ones to avoid are gluten, dairy and sugar based. Of course, it is a matter of trial and error and of taking the time to find out what does and does not work for you.

At Live Well Now we realise it is difficult to change our eating habits. Often the problem can be knowing where to start and because of that we put together our Live Well Now | Eat Well Now 7 Day Meal Plan. It’s a simple guide full of great ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it is ideal for anyone suffering from arthritis because all ingredients are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

You can get your free copy of the Live Well Now | Eat Well Now 7 Day Meal Plan by clicking HERE.

Share Your Ideas

While the 7 Day Meal Plan is a practical and effective guide, we realise it is just a start. There are many other recipe suggestions which we have not included and we would love to hear your ideas on what is good to eat and what is best to avoid when you have arthritis.

You can share your ideas on healthy eating, on how you manage arthritis, or on any of the subjects we are concerned with at Live Well Now, by joining our Live Well Now Facebook Group.

So go HERE and share your best anti-arthritis food tips with others who, just like you, have to make a huge daily effort to deal with the reality of chronic arthritis.