Tag Archives: Arthritis

WELCOME TO THE CLUB…

No matter how you applaud yourself – you are now a proud member of the Hipster Club. We are a community of bionic men and woman around the globe đź’Ş

No one understands bone-on-bone pain or the landscape of the unknown until they face the challenges of  a reduced quality of life and the fear of surgery.  And, until you have a source of information, support and the knowledge that experience brings…it can be a scary process… Especially to go through or face alone.

For example, I would never have known, if I didn’t receive some good tips from a fellow hipster, to ask for anti-nausea pills in the hospital (from the pain medication).  I wouldn’t have known what special devices to get (my grabber was incredible), or to hook myself up with a buddy to go on walks with or bring me food or take care of my pet in the early days after my hip replacements.

That’s why I created Hipster Club, and also  hipsterclub.ning.com…

  1. For support, and to know we are not alone -we are a club, an initiation into becoming bionic.
  2. We get to share our experience, knowledge and to become a community for each other.
  3. We get to give and get advice and encouragement during a scary transition.  I must add that things have become a bit different from when I got my first hip replacement (at 50).  Now they have what I call “drive by replacements”…all in the same day.  Every year, every month, every day – they have new developments in replacement surgery.  And now with 3-D printing, joint replacements will become totally customized to your own body.

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The Hipster Club!

Thanks for finding The Hipster Club….if you got here – You or someone you know, are, or are soon to be, TOO hip.  We are a community of hipsters initiated by pain.

No one knows bone-on-bone pain until you have experienced it…woken up in the middle of the night with excruciating no-cartilage pain when turning over…locked and jolted when standing up after sitting for a while…that limp that causes people to do a double-take on your gait.  We could go on and on…

Soon, the operation day arrives side by side with your fear of the unknown. Your fear of pain, pain medication and the what-ifs of surgery wakes up before you do.  The ‘fat lady has sung’, we bit the bullet and soon we, like magic, wonder why we ever waited so long.

We are here to support, educate, inspire and transform our hipster status, by becoming and remaining our own advocates. And this includes helping others…so, all  I ask is to pay it forward.

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Arthritis Self-Management | Disease Management | Arthritis Today

 

Beyond Doctor’s Orders

5 ways to enhance your chance of success with arthritis.

Succeeding with a chronic illness involves more than just following doctor’s orders. If you’re willing to work at it, these five habits will ensure you live successfully with arthritis:

1. Learn all you can.

Knowledge is power. Read everything you can, and locate trusted sources of news and information (online or offline); find out where exercise classes are being held in your community; and ask lots of questions – of your doctor, your physical therapist and other health-care providers.

2. Pay attention to your emotions.

Living with a chronic condition such as arthritis ups your chance of developing depression. Warning signs include constant tiredness, lack of appetite, trouble making decisions, disrupted sleep and feeling worthless. To head off depression, develop a network of family and friends who raise your spirits and can help you keep active.

3. Make your doctor your partner in care.

You’re more likely to find success if you and your physician make informed decisions together. Make sure your doctor spends time with you discussing treatment options and answering all your questions. Talk about ways to improve your functioning, such as losing weight, becoming more active or reducing stress. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your physician about anything, including admitting when you haven’t followed her advice. Agree to disagree when the two of you have different opinions – and keep talking about it.

Arthritis Self-Management | Disease Management | Arthritis Today

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Arthritis – Symptoms, Treatment, Complications, Prevention –

 

Alternative Names

Joint inflammation

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

Learning Center – Arthritis – Symptoms, Treatment, Complications, Prevention – AARP#causesincidenceandriskfactors

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