Simple Solutions for Arthritis: An Arthritis Patient's Practical Guide to Health and Hope
by
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One key to health when dealing with a disease like arthritis is open, honest, two-way communication with your doctor. As my mentor and friend, Valerie Klusas Branch, Director of the Arthritis Educator Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says:
I believe in what I call "The Chairman of the Board Theory," which my rheumatologist explained to me. Always think of your body as a profit making business and the profits as your health. You aren't an expert in running the business so you hire a Board of Directors. You are the Chairman and the Board members are the health professionals that you employ and look to for advice. As your situation and life changes you may have to switch members around in that group. But always keep in mind that you're the boss and you're in charge. It's your body; it's your business; it's your health. You are the one in control. You work with the Board as a team, but in the end it's your decision.
When you’re first diagnosed with arthritis, you can suffer from confusion and too much information, especially if your doctor uses terms you don’t understand. If you and your doctor don't communicate well, find another doctor (even if you must travel to see him or her). Or, ask for other options if your medical group requires you to choose within its organization.
If you are moving or your doctor is no longer in your healthcare plan, ask what other doctors he or she recommends. Then interview prospective doctors before you select a new one. Remember to review the rules of your health plan to see what alternatives you have. The Arthritis Foundation brochure, Choosing a Health Plan, can be helpful.
When you're feeling great, see your primary doctor and rheumatologist annually to ensure you’re well. This is especially true for women who must also remember to have annual "well woman" exams. Have blood work done more often, as needed and recommended by your doctor.
If you're depressed because of your illness, treat that too. Your doctor has to know about not only your arthritis symptoms but also related issues.
Learn everything you can about your disease. For written material, see The Arthritis Helpbook by Kate Loring and James Fries; Arthritis, A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Arthritis by James Fries; and Arthritis Today, a magazine distributed every other month by The Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation website is www.arthritis.org. Publications you can order by calling 800.283.7800 in the U.S. or 404.872.7100 outside of the U.S. include: Arthritis Answers, Managing_Your_Pain.pdf, Guide to Lab Tests, Managing_Your_Fatigue.pdf, or Managing_Your_Health_Care.pdf.
Check the Internet for helpful websites by searching the keyword "arthritis" through your Internet search engines. Be careful, though, because the quality of information on the Internet varies greatly. Also be aware that some sites are sponsored by drug or vitamin companies. A few helpful sites I’ve found are www.ivillage.com’s health section, www.drkoop.com’s descriptions about arthritis, www.healtheon.com’s consumer-oriented medical information or the alternative therapies and nutrition sections of www.selfcare.com. If you’re unfamiliar with using the Internet, ask your local librarian to help you.
Besides reviewing updates provided through the Arthritis Foundation, look for information on research provided by publications and government/professional groups such as The New England Journal of Medicine at www.nejm.org, the National Institutes on Health at www.nih.gov, or the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) at www.rheumatology.org.
To help you manage your disease and communicate with your medical advisors, keep a health journal--listing medicines, surgeries, doctor appointments, etc. See the Appendix for a sample under section B.
When you are trying to decide which alternative treatment is right for you, consult The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Alternative_Therapies3.asp. Tell your doctor about every medicine you take and alternative therapy you participate in. To treat you effectively, he or she must know about the alternative approaches as well as the traditional ones that you utilize.
Get a 7-day medicine container so that you can remember to take all you should when you should. You can find them in most drug or grocery stores.
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About the Book
Read this book for practical guidance on how to improve your day-to-day living with arthritis of any type. You, too, can learn to live a healthy, active, fulfilling life even with the setbacks of arthritis. Better education, a positive attitude and improved communication are just three areas addressed in this "must read" book. It will let you know you’re not alone, and it may change your life!
PEOPLE ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK:
"Simple Solutions for Arthritis provides practical tips and techniques for coping with arthritis. Anyone who struggles with the day-to-day challenges of arthritis as well as their friends, family and healthcare professionals, can benefit from Kim Hofmann's insights."
Valerie Klusas Branch, M.S.
Director, Arthritis Educator Program
University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
"An extremely helpful and unique guide to management of problems encountered by rheumatoid arthritis patients. A ‘must read’."
Eric R. Hurd, M.D.
Rheumatologist, Arthritis Centers of Texas
Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
"I feel that this book, Simple Solutions for Arthritis, will be extremely valuable to individuals who have arthritic conditions. Much of what I have done over the past fifteen years in rehabilitation is summarized in this book. There are messages and advice for patients with conditions other than arthritis. In the very first chapter, ‘the chairman of the board theory’ is presented, which is a realization that the major healthcare provider is none other than the patient. Nothing could be truer! The doctors, nurses, and therapists are all members of a team, which should be directed by the patient. Often, patients take a passive role when it comes to pain management and healthcare, expecting pills, doctors, or surgery to repair or fix the problem. We all know and realize the pitfalls of taking such a passive approach to medical care. Cures are not often and generally never permanent.
After reading this book, the reader with arthritis should come away with a 'can do' attitude and an increased coping ability regarding medical problems. Some of the ideas in this book are certainly what we call common sense, but it is truly amazing that many of us forget our common sense when we feel bad or are in pain.
I plan on recommending copies of this book to my patients with arthritis as part of my patient education packet.
Simple Solutions for Arthritis is good, easy reading, but entertaining and informative. A person with arthritis will feel empowered after reading this book.
I hope this book becomes required reading for medical residents in the training program of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. As rehabilitation specialists we are asked about mobility and activities of daily living. Our patients have all the questions and I believe this book has many of the answers."
Richard R. Jones, M.D., Pharma D.
Medical Director HEALTHSOUTH Plano Rehabilitation Hospital
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
Past President of DFW Metroplex Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society
"This book has some great ideas for people with arthritis as well as family members. It is easy to read with suggestions that work from people that have lived with arthritis. I will suggest it for my patients in the future."
Melissa Peavey, OTR, CHT
Assistant Director
Upper Extremity Specialists
Dallas, Texas
"This book is a great source of ideas for all aspects of life that arthritis can affect. Therapy can be given separately or can be incorporated into daily living."
Corey Ulrich, M.S., PT
Physical Therapist
HEALTHSOUTH Plano Rehabilitation Hospital
"As a business associate and friend of Kim Hofmann, I have seen her in all manner of business, social and private moments. But it wasn’t until I read this book that I ever realized how beautifully she copes with her condition while functioning flawlessly in her career and personal life. Kim’s tips on coping with arthritis (or any physical, mental or emotional challenge, for that matter) are simple, effective, and like Kim, herself, first rate."
Jan Vernon
Vice President
Human Resources
Cadbury Schweppes Beverages, Americas
About the Author
As a human resource consultant for over 20 years, Kim uses her innovative and strategic thinking to help arthritis patients cope with their disease. She has been an author, spokesperson and Arthritis Educator with University of the Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UTSW) since 1992. Kim was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1980. She credits the management of her disease to:
-proper diet, medication and exercise
-the love of her husband, children, family, friends and coworkers and
-her faith and positive attitude.