The Arthritis Helpbook: A Tested Self-Management Program for Coping with Arthritis and Fibromyalgia

385 Pages·2000·12.78 MB·English

by  Kate Lorig

The Arthritis Helpbook
OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHORS
Arthritis: A Take Care of Yourself Health Guide, by James E Fries
Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, by Kate Lorig,
Halsted Holman, David Sobel, Diana Laurent, Virginia
Gonzalez, and Marian Minor
Living Well: A Take Care of Yourself Health Guide for the
Middle and Later Years, by James F. Fries
Patient Education: A Practical Approach, by Kate Lorig
Take Care of Your self, by Donald M. Vickery and James F. Fries
Taking Care of Your Child, by Robert H. Pantell, James F. Fries,
and Donald M. Vickery
Vitality and Aging, by James F. Fries and Lawrence M. Crapo
Como Convivir Con Su Artritis, by Virginia Gonzalez, Virginia
Nacif de Brey, Kate Lorig, and James F. Fries
The Back Pain Helpbook, by James E. Moore, Kate Lorig,
Michael Von Korff, Virginia Gonzalez, and Diana Laurent
Living Well with HIV and AIDS, by Allen Gifford, Kate Lorig,
Diana Laurent, and Virginia Gonzalez
The Arthritis Helpbook
A Tested Self-Management Program for
Coping with Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
FIFTH EDITION
Kate Lorig, R.N., Dr. PH
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Patient Education Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine
James F. Fries, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
CONTRIBUTORS
Maureen R. Gecht, OTR/L, MPH, Occupational Therapist
Marian Minor, R.P.T., Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Missouri
Diana D. Laurent, MPH, Health Educator
Virginia M. Gonzalez, MPH, Health Educator
DA CAPO PRESS
A Member of the Perseus Books Group
Many of the designations use by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products
are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Da Capo
Press was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial cap-
ital letters (e.g. Tylenol, Water Pik). Aspirin is a registered trademark in Canada.
This book is not meant to replace medical care. If you are under the care of a doctor and
other health professionals, follow their advice first. Read medicine labels fully because
instructions may vary from year to year, if any problem persists beyond a reasonable
time, see a doctor
Cataloging-in-Publication information available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 0-7382-0224-X
Copyright © 2000 by Da Capo Press
All righs reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy-
ing, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America. Published simultaneously, in Canada, Great
Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
Text design b Joyce C. Weston
Production by Eclipse Publishing Services, Nashua, N.H.
Illustrations in chapters 11 and 12 by Meryl Henderson
Photographers who took original pictures exclusively for the Helpbook: Scott Dworkin,
Efraim Lev-Er, Randi Christianson, and Dyneen Hesser
Find us on the World Wide Web at http://www.dacapopress.com
To our more than 3,000 class leaders
and over 300,000
Arthritis Self-Help class participants
around the world
This page intentionally left blank
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Preface xi
PART ONE: UNDERSTANDING THOSE ACHES AND PAINS
1. Arthritis: What Is It? 3
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inflamed Joints 7
3. Osteoarthritis: Worn Cartilage 14
4. Osteoporosis: Brittle Bones 20
5. Fibromyalgia: Chronic Pain and Fatigue 28
6. Other Nagging Pains 32
PART TWO: YOUR SELF-MANAGEMENT PLAN
7. Becoming an Arthritis Self-Manager 43
PART THREE: HINTS, TIPS, AND GADGETS
8. Outsmarting Arthritis 55
9. Self-Helpers: 100+Hints and Aids 92
PART FOUR: KEEPING YOUR BODY HEALTHY
10. Exercise for Fitness and Better Living 121
11. Flexibility Exercises 139
12. Strengthening Exercises 163
V11
Vlll CONTENTS
13. Aerobic Activities 180
14. Healthy Eating 198
PART FIVE: SOLVING PARTICULAR PROBLEMS
15. Pain Management 227
16. Getting a Good Night's Sleep 245
17. Depression, Fatigue, and Other Symptoms 250
18. Feelings and Communication 260
PART SIX: YOUR MEDICAL RESOURCES
19. Working with Your Doctor: A Joint Venture 285
20. The Drug Scene: Medicines to Reduce Pain and Inflammation 295
21. Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) 323
22. Painkillers and Other Approaches to Reduce Pain 339
23. What About Surgery? 345
Appendix: The Arthritis Foundation and
the Arthritis Society—International Locations 350
Index 358
Acknowledgments
We would like especially to thank our friends and supporters over the years:
Pat Spitz, Audrey Schomer, R. Guy Kraines, Alison Harlow, Cathy Williams,
Dr. Dennis McShane, Dr. Jeffrey Brown, Dr. Cody Wasner, Dr. Paul
Feigenbaum, Dr. Halsted Holman, Dr. Melvin Britton, Dr. Tom Okarma,
Dr. William Lages, Dr. David Schurman, Dr. Linda Lee, Dr. Robert Marcus,
Dr. Michael Ward, Vicky Brey, Catherine Regan, Frank Villa, Maria Hernandez
Marin, Esmeralda Valadez, Jayna Rogers, and Gloria Samuel. Dr. Joseph
Hopkins, Judy Staples, Jeanne Ewy, and Debbie Stinchfield, Dr. Robert Miller,
Dr. Andrew Fisher, Dr. Meredith Minkler, Dr. Carol D'Onofrio, Dr. John
Ratcliffe, Dr. Robert Swezey, Dr. Lawrence Green, Dr. Sarah Archer, Janice
Pigg, Dr. Stan Shoor, Dr. Peter Wood, Melinda Seeger, Dr. Larry Bradley,
Michele Boutaugh, Dr. Ann O'Leary, Gail Schreiber, Dr. F. Keefe, and
Dr. Marty Klein. A special thanks goes to Connie Hartnett, who has given
invaluable support over the years, and to our self-management leaders in
many countries around the world.
In addition, many people in various countries have written us and
reviewed and added to our materials.
AUSTRALIA
Pauline Kelley, Physiotherapist M.C.S.P., Adelaide
Jenny Davidson, R.N., Victoria
Valerie Sayce, B.A., D.I.P., Physiotherapist, Victoria
Peter Brooks, M.D., F.R.A.C.R, Brisbane
Lynne Newcombe, R.N., Brisbane
IX