#life with arthritis

[theone]

My joints hurt so much and idk if it's a flare or just the weather or the fact that I'm sick with some virus or a combination of those 🫠

[daddywarbats]

Whoever decided that the weather can fuck with the human body so badly can fuck off into the sun, thanks.

[b-lessings]

This winter it's me and my neck heating pad against the world.

[disabled-bug]

I’m so proud of people living with chronic health conditions. That shit is HARD. Idk who needs to hear this, but if no one else has said it: I’m proud of you. You’re sticking it out through so much pain and grief. That’s no small feat.

Every small thing you do for yourself health adds up. The grief is heavy and it comes from a place of love. The grief knows the pain is wronging you.

I’m proud of you. I hope on the good days you can be proud of yourself.

Keep going.

[somniphobicfox]

This month, shoutout to new mobility aid users. People who've just recently bought a cane or a wheelchair or a rollator or any other mobility aids and are just getting used to them. People who are still figuring out how to navigate in them. It's alright if the aid that you thought would help you actually turned out to be useless/more destructive. Its alright if on some days even your aid cannot give you support. You are still valid, your struggle still real, and I hope you find what's right for you really soon <3

[ditzyblues]

they're so cringe it makes me sick inside.

[tinyleafkid]

i don’t have many tumblr followers, but i’m desperate to get this as far out into the world as i can

i’m in desperate need of a wheelchair, and i don’t have the money to make that happen

please help and share if you’re able

https://gofund.me/81a4e7a4

[hellyeahsickaf]

Low Spoons and Hygiene

Sometimes being disabled means struggling with hygiene and that can be embarrassing, even though it's not your fault or a reflection of you as a person. Nobody wants to be stinky or feel dirty, especially when a lot of illnesses and disabilities can entail symptoms like excessive sweating that can make the issue of struggling with hygiene a million times worse.

But smelling bad is the least of your worries, as poor hygiene can lead to things like skin infections. Bacteria and fungi like hanging around in stagnant, often damp areas that collect sweat. And most people have folds- even if just a little, which can be the ideal habitat for dangerous microorganisms. Not changing your underwear/bra or washing your body for an extended period can lead to things like jock itch, intertrigo, yeast infections, athlete's foot, UTIs (anyone can get one and they can spread to the kidneys within days or even hours- and you need those little guys!), all sorts of complications. The existence of foul or sometimes even a slightly "sweet" odor on your body or even in your urine tends to indicate the existence of bacteria (it's why armpits stink) or fungi like candida. Dental hygiene is equally important- an infected tooth or excessive cavities can be bad news. If you experience these things or struggle to regularly care for your body, it's not something to be ashamed of. All of those complications can and do happen to people who do everything right.

Note that issues like UTIs or dental infections don't tend to just go away on their own and need to be treated as urgently as possible.

However, I'll share some things that may prevent or remedy issues like infections and odor that's gotten out of hand and hopefully some may find this list helpful in some way. Any products I've listed may be found at other retailers or at different prices, they're just examples. Feel free to add on to it.

The bare minimum is always better than nothing. Brushing with just a dry toothbrush, using disposable body wipes or a washcloth/sponge instead of a shower, dry shampoo (the sprays are actually pretty bad for you, I'd stay away from those if possible), leave in conditioner, also whole body deodorant is a thing. If the most you can do is change your clothes- hell even just change your bra and/or underwear, it can be the one thing between you and an awful infection.

If infections are a concern, like if say you suffer from chronic UTIs or yeast infections it's advisable to wear breathable cotton underwear.

If you can't get up to brush your teeth or struggle to do so, it may be helpful to purchase disposable toothbrushes. These ones have floss picks attached.

Flossing is just as, if not more important than brushing. If you only have the energy to floss on some days, do that. If you need to keep floss picks and a place to dispose of them near your bed, then that's fine (just don't let it pile on without disposing of it and create a biohazard). it can help remove food particles that help create a breeding ground for bacteria. Also gently moving in and out between your teeth with slight movement if needed is ideal, don't roughly saw across your gums, ouch.

If you struggle with wiping say due to mobility issues, there are products for this. Wiping back to front as an alternative risks yeast infections and UTIs. It's a very common cause of these diseases due to bacteria like e-coli. We do not want that.

Crashing and can't wash your sheets? Out of shirts with no energy to do the laundry today? Antimicrobial fabric spray may help with the odor and bacteria that accumulates on fabric as a temporary fix until you can properly wash it. Try not to wear clothing or interact with fabrics like blankets and couches that are still wet from the spray, as that can irritate the skin.

Try to avoid "feminine wash" products if possible, you don't need the fancy Summer's Eve premium strawberry hibiscus blush scented whatever, it can fuck up your PH and kill good bacteria despite claims to do otherwise. Same with PH wipes. It's recommended not to use soap on your genitalia, especially scented and especially if you have a vagina. If you must use some sort of soap, dermatologists typically recommend the most basic, unscented wash. And do not put it in your body by any means.

Rinse free shower sponges have been a life saver for me, especially the ones that also work as shampoo (it's probably not color safe tho). You just add water, lather, and make sure you dry off well. If it helps you determine how much to buy, I normally find myself using maybe 3-5 sponges each time.

OTC jock itch cream can work for some fungal infections on the body not limited to jock itch but if you see no difference or worsening within a few days of using it, consult a dermatologist as you may need something different or stronger.

Unscented pads and tampons are best and should be changed every 4 hours or so ideally. Never leave a tampon in for over 8 hours. Despite common fears, 9 hours won't give you toxic shock syndrome, that normally takes a few days and is quite rare with tampons but that doesn't mean that 13 hours or something is good or safe. I've just heard some say that sex ed scared them away from tampons after being told stories of TSS. I hear that menstrual cups are also a great alternative that many don't consider.

Monistat and similar yeast infection products often come with different options like 3 day treatment, 5 day treatment, 7 day. I know you want to feel better ASAP, but just take into account that 3 day will be highly concentrated and can cause more burning than the 7 day. Longer treatment may also be more effective in some cases. Penile yeast infections exist as well. Just be aware that some products are more potent than others regardless of birth sex. Antifungals in general may cause itching and/or burning, which some are more sensitive to than others or may even find triggering in cases where it must be applied to the genitalia.

Hydrocortisone cream is your best friend if you're experiencing itchiness due to things like skin infections, contact dermatitis, yeast infections, etc. But please don't use it to mask the symptoms of an infection without treating it.

How frequently you need to wash your hair varies by hair type. This can vary between every 2 days for some and every 1-2 weeks for coily and textured hair. Make sure you look into what is ideal for your hair type. And again on days where you cannot wash, disposable sponges and dry shampoo can be a life saver.

If something is discolored, odorous, itchy, inflamed, bumpy, producing moisture, warm to the touch, oozy, weepy, splotchy, sticky, burning/painful, it may likely be an infection or in some cases an allergic reaction. Familiarize yourself with what different skin infections and diseases may look like on your skin tone. Ringworm and other fungal infections for instance may appear red or pink on fair or lighter brown skin, but on darker skin may appear gray or darker brown.

Fungal infections are also super fucking contagious. To other parts of your body, other people, even to pets. Wash your hands well with antibacterial soap, especially before and after applying any topical treatment or touching the area in any way. After a shower, PAT the infected area dry and do not reuse that towel or use on other parts of the body.

Invest in a shower chair if you feel it may help you, it's one of the best things I've ever bought. I didn't want to get one at first because it felt like I was "giving in" to my disability more and more but that's the internalized ableism talking. Get the shower chair.

A bar to help you stand from the toilet/tub/shower chair may also be helpful.

Again, feel free to add to the list if you want!

[unfilteredrealities]

Hey Google , how to not beat yourself up for being chronically ill and how to still be compassionate with yourself when it’s very hard to do so? 😭

[sentimental-apathy]

Struggling a bit financially. Need help paying bills, paying for my meds, food, and gas. The arthritis and plantar fasciitis is really hindering me today and I'm struggling to get any sleep due to chronic pain. I've also got a rotten tooth that's giving me a lot of grief. I need numbing gel. I'm just having a terrible time in general and If anyone financially well off can spare anything, I'd so really appreciate it. I'm sorry to ask again. But I don't know what else to do.

Paypal

Cash App

Venmo

[tumble-tv]

When I was ten I was told that when my arthritis went into remission we would throw a remission party with all of my friends and have a cake and maybe rent a house on the beach for a few days.

When I was thirteen I went into remission. No one told me for three years. Wanna know how I found out? Not my doctor. Not my mom. I found out by going through my patient portal to update my medication list for my wallet and stumbling across appointment notes. No one told me.

I went downstairs to my mom, confused because that was supposed to be a big thing, right? The disease that had been literally ruining me from birth being in remission is a big thing? She insisted that she told me. She insisted that my doctor told me. You know what they "told me"? They told me it was "quiet." To a kid, that means nothing. "Quiet" means it's still there, it's just not doing much. Still active, just resting. And, sure, that's essentially what remission is for my condition, but suddenly knowing that I've been in remission for years without being told is crushing.

To say I lost a lot of trust in doctors and my mother that day is an understatement.

[4spooniesupport]

[swagging-back-to]

it is not controversial to say that if you cannot finacially, emotionally provide for a child and/or your genetics would lead to them suffering then you should not have said child.

[disabled-bug]

disabled people when their disability disables them

[dawnbreakersgaze]

Look, before you judge me, I want you to understand that I am beyond the ability to harm. I think Jeremiah is a babe and that is that.

Now, this is, 100% the fault of @skynapple and her amazing fic (which you should ABSOLUTELY go read right tf now) if you haven't already. It's killing me. In a good way. I'm dying in the best way possible and ASDHJKDLSJS is all I can say about how much I love it.

And if you're about to come at me like "Wtf Kay why is Jeremiah built like that?" Then I will remind you that this mfer was a lightseeker- one of the people still at MCs side fighting wanderers when Xav up and disappeared. For a couple hundred years, he was constantly whooping wanderer ass, and I will not be told he was anything other than beautifully buff 😤

This whole thing made me miss drawing so much. I love studying anatomy and bless Jeremiah for being a good sport about it lol. Maybe I should do the others when my hands allow it.

[megpricephotography]

A peaceful walk with Flynn, down to the buttercup fields. We didn’t meet any other people or dogs, but heard lots of birds twittering, insects buzzing, squirrels & rabbits & voles rustling in the hedgerows & beautiful wildflowers everywhere.