BYU NewsNet - Student adjusts life because of arthritis

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Student adjusts life because of arthritis

Winn

Jane , from Creston, Calif., works on her homework. She was diagnosed

with arthritis when she was 2 years old.

By Jill Macallister

NewsNet Staff Writer

12 Nov 2002

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When Jane opens her eyes in the morning, she said she wants to cry.

She dreads getting out of bed. She dreads her walk to school. She even

dreads sitting in class and taking notes.

" I'm not a morning person anyway, and it's about impossible when you hurt, "

said. " And the walk, well, it's just hard, and when you're limping, it is

embarrassing. "

, 25, a senior from Creston, Calif., is one of 70 million Americans in

the pain caused by arthritis and arthritis-related diseases.

" Mine is called Ostreoarthritis-site-unspecified, " said. " That means

they don't have a clue what kind of arthritis I have. "

was diagnosed with arthritis when she was 2-years-old.

" In the past people thought it was something they would just have to deal

with, because they thought it was caused by aging, " said Salley, a

health education coordinator for the Arthritis Foundation of Utah. " Anyone

can get it. Children can get it. "

's treatment involves four to nine pills a day depending on the pain,

restricted activity, doctor visits, tests to check her inflammation levels

and tests to make sure her drugs have not ruined her liver. All of these are

followed by some real emotional aerobics.

" Because you are unable to do things, it really is hard on you mentally, "

said.

said her biggest physical stressor is her right wrist. She broke it

in seven places 12 years ago, and because of her arthritis, it still hurts

her every day.

" Everyone always asks, 'What did you do to your arm?' said. " It is

embarrassing to say 'I have arthritis.' "

said the hardest part is that she does not look sick. When she goes

to a church activity, everyone expects her to play football or Frisbee with

them.

" But they don't seem to understand, that if I get hurt, it affects every

part of my life for a long time, " said.

Even though arthritis experts recommend that arthritis victims stay active,

said it is not as easy as it sounds.

She cannot exactly just pick up a new sport and start burning calories.

said. After her doctor forbid many sports, she settled for swimming.

also has a disease called Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia means pain in

the muscles, ligaments, and tendons and it is an arthritic condition. The

main symptoms of Fibromyalgia are body-wide pain and pain in 11-18 specific

joints.

" I try to keep the stress down. Right now I am doing that by not working, "

said.

Chelsea Cahow, a sophomore at Utah State University, said just having

Fibromyalgia gives her plenty of pain.

Cahow was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia during her freshmen year of high

school in Palos Verdes, Calif.

" I had been looking through a magazine, and I saw an ad for a medication. "

Cahow said. " I told my mom, 'Um, I think this is me.' "

People with Fibromyalgia have sore muscles, headaches, and fatigue that come

from a poor nights sleep. And although these sound like common symptoms,

Fibromyalgia sufferers feel it every day.

" I really don't remember not having pain, but I didn't know that was

different from what other people felt, " Cahow said. " I can remember being

really little and my legs just aching. "

Fibromyalgia is caused by a build up of acids in the muscles, and the drugs

Chelsea started taking six years ago started releasing that acid.

" It hurt really bad, " Cahow said. " It makes it hurt for a little while but

in the long run it is better. I would have more pain without the drug. "

Just like , Cahow says exercise is easier said than done. There are

not that many low impact programs open to college students.

" I'm supposed to stay away from high impact activity, " Cahow said. " Some

things make me more uncomfortable like going running. Because I don't

experience it like another person, I'm not sure how it feels for other

people. But it is so painful for me. I just hate it. "

During the '80s, doctors were criticized for diagnosing people with

Fibromyalgia because it was rumored to be an illegitimate disease.

That struggle for legitimacy continues for both Cahow and .

" A lot of doctors ignore it and say it a fake illness, " Cahow said. " But

it's not, that is ridiculous that they would say that just because there are

no blood tests to make sure that it is there. "

said, " It's also hard with teachers, most people just don't

understand. I know they're thinking, 'Is this all in your head? Are you

making this up?' It's subtle, but I notice it. "

Cahow said she encourages people who have chronic pain to get help. Even

through you have felt it all your life, that does not mean it is normal.

" If you hurt and it's normal and constant, you should go see a doctor, "

Cahow said. " It is not normal to be in pain 85 percent of the time. "

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