Last Minute Halloween Costume

Boo!Ever thought of going to a Halloween shindig as “arthritis?” With a suit that was recently developed by Loughborough University, now you can. The suit is more of an eye-opener for the person wearing it, though. People who encounter someone dressed up as “arthritis,” wearing a mostly black, with white and red “accents” jumpsuit might think you are a skydiver or a motorcross racer.

The concept behind this funny-looking suit is that it gives others insight into what life is like as an osteoarthritis patient. Whoever is wearing the suit will find it hard to bend down to pick things up, open jars or climb stairs, among other things.

What a great idea. These suits should be featured at all arthritis events (walks, conferences, support group meetings) so friends and family members can walk in our shoes for a few minutes. Doctors could even try it for a day to better understand what their patients are going through.

Now, if only someone could invent a super suit that reversed the effects of arthritis! I’m waiting for that day. And that suit better be pretty stylish.

But this got me thinking, if you did go to a Halloween party as “arthritis” what would that look like? Leave your ideas in the comments!

Happy Halloween! Have a spooktacular day.

The suit aiming to replicate arthritis

Six Tips For Managing Your Osteoarthritis

Hello fellow arthritis friends! I have been under the weather lately and have been quite remiss in following my schedule of regular postings. I came down with a virus about two weeks ago, which kept me off my regular dose of Enbrel, which in turn cause a bit of a flare. Ah, the fun of having a weakened immune system! But I am feeling better and am back in action.

Here is a USA Today article to get you started with. This piece offers some basic solutions on managing osteoarthritis.

"Most people accept osteoarthritis as a part of aging and have this misperception that there’s nothing you can do," says Patience White, chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation and a rheumatologist in Washington, D.C. "There is no quick fix, but there are things you can do."

The six tips are as follows:

  1. Watch your weight.
  2. Keep moving.
  3. Treat your pain.
  4. Try a supplement.
  5. See a physical therapist.
  6. Don’t rule out surgery.

I’m adding a seventh tip: Know your disease. Learn all you can about your disease and the recommended treatments. Ask your doctor questions. Get second opinions. Talk to other people who have Osteoarthritis. It’s trite, but true: knowledge is power.

If you have a tip, please share it in the comments.