Move it or lose it, says Jo Warburton, who is determined not to let osteoarthritis hold her back
When I was only 48 years old I noticed my left thumb was sore and creaky at the base. My GP referred me for an X-ray and I wasn’t surprised that it was osteoarthritis as I already had it in my knees.
While I had hoped that it wouldn’t progress quickly, the GP told me the osteoarthritis was in my fingers, and a year later my right thumb went as well. My fingers sometimes feel stiff during the day but are generally okay at this time. Unfortunately my thumbs are not so good.
I have a company called River Exe Media and use my hands a lot during work for typing, editing and operating a video camera, so it is important to keep the arthritis at bay as much as possible. I have tried steroid injections and do exercises to stretch my fingers regularly.
If I feel annoyed that I can’t open a jar, I find other ways – the nearest person is usually a good one! When I get frustrated that I can’t do some things I used to enjoy, I find other things to enjoy instead.
Positive attitude
Arthritis is a disabling condition and I would love to see a reversal of this in my lifetime. The state of your mind is important when dealing with the diagnosis and I plan to keen moving as much as is reasonable. I do what I can to stay healthy including addressing my weight. I have put on some weight in the past 12 months and I know that losing it will help some of the pressure on my joints.
I have adapted the way I do my favourite activities (canoeing and cycling), holding the paddle and handlebars differently. It just takes a bit of creative thinking. I have even started playing tamborim for a community Samba band called Street Heat. At first friends were saying ‘oh you won’t be able to do that because it will hurt your thumbs’. Well yes it does but I hold my tamborim and brush differently so my thumb doesn’t take the pressure. I also take pain meds just before drumming. It’s fun, it’s good for the soul so just try and stop me!
Providing and seeking support
After diagnosis four years ago I naturally wanted to find out as much as I could about osteoarthritis and searched the internet.
Depressed by many of the other Facebook groups, I started my own – Osteoarthritis and Sport/Exercise – to encourage others to not give in. We have the ethos ‘move it or lose it’ and encourage each other to achieve the achievable. It might be to walk to the garden gate or it might be to hike 20 miles. No one is expected to do more than they can. I know this is a progressive disease, but it is life limiting, not life threatening.
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