Losing Weight, Key Factor to Living With Arthritis

I have always mentioned in this blog that losing weight is important in living with arthritis.

The painful symptoms associated with this crippling condition is most often lessen when the patient loses weight. I can attest to this, as from my own experience.

You should read the story I found from one UK daily (Evening Star).

The story is a about a former police constable – Gail Murton – living with rheumatoid arthritis for some five years already.

The 38 -year-old was suddenly struck with rheumatoid arthritis about six years ago – doctors think a virus may have triggered it.

She said: “One weekend my feet and ankles just blew up really badly – I couldn’t walk at all.

“At first they didn’t think it was rheumatoid arthritis but then it was diagnosed and there was no doubt.

“I have it in my feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists and now my physio thinks I may have it in my neck, too.

“At first it was really bad – I was immovable and the pain was absolutely awful.

“My husband said it was like watching a 90-year-old woman trying to walk.”

The most important highlight of the said story is when the condition improved a lot after the patient decided to lose weight.

Frustrated by her condition, and with lack of mobility meaning she was unable to do many day-to-day things without her family’s assistance, and gaining weight, too, about a year ago Mrs Murton decided to join Slimming World.

She said: “I looked at myself in the mirror one day and knew I needed to lose weight.”

But following the company’s healthy eating plan didn’t just help her to shed the pounds – four stone seven pounds in a year to bring her down to ten stone seven – it has helped ease her rheumatoid arthritis, too.

She said: “Since I have lost the weight the pain has eased considerably and isn’t as bad at all, and I can move a lot better.

“I dropped five dress sizes but the main benefit has been taking all that weight off my joints.

“I still have rheumatoid arthritis and will never be able to run a marathon, but I can walk better now and I have started going to the gym and taken up golf with my husband and son.”

Mrs Murton – who is starting her own Slimming World classes at Kesgrave in January – hopes her story will inspire others to tackle their weight and improve their health.

You can read the full story here.

Please take note that it was the patient’s decision to lose weight. That been said, I would like to reiterate that it is always your decision. Your doctor or the meds alone cannot make you better if you do not decide to take charge and battle your condition out.

That hold true to any other condition.