Good Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis book review

Can this bookcover claim be upheld? “Good Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis Is More Possible Now Than Ever Before!”

I’ve been putting off this book review post because I am afraid I’ll sound negative. Why do I feel like I am obligated to praise the book because it is published by the Arthritis Foundation? Is it a sin for an RA-er to criticize the Arthritis Foundation?

Whoever wrote the cover certainly flattered the writers. Wish I agreed. Here is what they claim is inside:

Front cover: “Find the Tools You Need to Ease Pain, Reduce Joint Damage, Improve Mobility, Relieve Stress.”

Back cover: “In this book you’ll discover… Easy ways to improve your flexibility, reduce pain and stiffness, and manage stress.”

Here’s what I did not like:

The tone is impractical: I felt like the writers have not met anyone living with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (a large percentage of RA-ers).

Some information is already outdated since science moves fast and the internet keeps up better than books can.

They gave too much print to the notion that Rheumatoid Arthritis pain is subjective and can be controlled by techniques like mental imagery and self hypnosis.

They presented an unrealistic view of exercise, even using the dreaded phrase “Use it or lose it.”

Have you ever heard of “rheumatoid personality”? Some doctors believe it is the source of Rheumatoid Arthritis pain, would you believe?

There’s more, but I want to keep this short. So, just one more thing: it’s printed on really heavy paper, so it’s too heavy to hold in our hands.

Here’s what I did like:

They expect doctors to talk to patients like real persons, even providing forms to prepare for appointments. However, they do not come with any guarantee of doctor cooperation.

They approve of the use of narcotics for Rheumatoid Arthritis pain which is not controlled in other ways. This has been a controversial topic over the years. Perhaps that is related to some of the concepts discussed in the last section. What is controversial about pain control? Nothing, if the alleged pain is seen as actual pain.

I infer that they envision RA-ers as managers of their own RA treatment programs. Although there is much resistance to this idea in the medical community also, it is the only legitimate basis to “Good living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

The book includes a few short vignettes from actual RA-ers. This is probably the best part. It is almost like getting a little page from a blog. They are more realistic. One nurse even tells how RA made her blind in one eye and affected the adjacent ear.

Of course, I also like the promises on the book cover. Too bad they could not really deliver on them. They should not feel bad about that; “Easy” answers for RA would be impossible to deliver. They do not exist. That is not the fault of the text writers. They just need to find more accurate cover designers.

All I can say is, I wouldn’t want to be a lawyer defending those cover claims in court.

Post-Blog: If the comments on exercise were startling to you, please read this post on Exercise. And coming soon: Should RA-ers Exercise? Part 2. If the comments that RA is a serious disease sounded surprising, you might read Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Kill You? If you are adjusting to life with RA, I suggest Shifting Sand.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Tips Book Review

This is my review of 250 Tips for Making Life With Arthritis Easier.

Sounds like an amazing book. But actually, if you are an efficient homemaker, you may have heard some of them before – like cooking extra food and freezing the leftovers; and getting family members to participate in meal planning.

Hey, I actually get them to help cook. Or better yet, to take their own turn cooking!

Tips #77 and #65 suggest having someone put your various detergents into smaller, more manageable containers for you. If you have not done this, do it as soon as you are able. It is a good idea. I had to do that a few years ago.

Changing doorknobs or other hardware is another good idea. But, it does require help to do. I like #161 and I had done it right away: replace dishes and cookware that is too heavy.

Another one that I have already adopted is using a jelly-roll type pan underneath of baking dishes which are difficult to handle, like pie pans. Personally, I have taken to avoiding the big oven entirely so that I will not have to bend down and try to lift heavy pans. I bought a large toaster oven and that can do most of my everyday baking. And I have 5 kids!

Other good tips are related to making use of certain tools like utility carts, grabbers, and Lazy Susan turntables. There are a few good suggestions for adapting to life in a wheelchair. Similarly, I like the ones which address being confined to bed.

The most creative tip is #214: avoid any pressure on your feet from bedding. Build up a footboard and lay the covers across it so they will not even touch your feet. Now that would have helped me when my feet were doubled in size from RA swelling. Hope I never need to use it!

My very favorite tip in this book is to get a lightweight vacuum (#71). This is very important unless you have a maid. I searched for a couple of years and finally got the best lightweight vacuum in the world. It is a Simplicity Freedom. I have been through 7 vacuums and now I am have died and gone to vacuum heaven. It is the lightest and the strongest - and it may be my last vacuum. For the first time in over 3 years, I can actually vacuum. But only if I really want to!

For the most part, the book is common sense; we all need that. However, I did find many of the tips had to do with getting organized or cleaning. Maybe this would be good for someone who has issues with feeling organizationally-challenged. My problem centers more on a sudden and extreme disability.

While I feel apologetic to be negative about something done by the Arthritis Foundation, I did not feel that the editors understood what living with RA is like (the book is for both RA and OA). Tip #70 says, “Use permanent marker to mark quart, half-gallon, and gallon lines on your cleaning bucket. The markings will make it easy to mix the right amount of cleaning solutions.” There is NO WAY I am using a cleaning bucket! But that’s me.

There were several other examples of this though, like cleaning out the lint trap of the dryer with a dryer sheet. Ouch.

I was so excited when I saw this book at the library. Finally, I would find out how to make life with Rheumatoid Arthritis come easier. But, not so much. I was mostly disappointed because I could see that the editors did not relate to my actual difficulties in living with RA.

Most of the tips are not specifically appropriate for Rheumatoid Arthritis. And some others are just plain not feasible if you have RA. I recommend that you save money and get the book from the library. You can read it casually while watching a baseball game this summer. Find a few good ideas, and laugh off the rest.

I also have a tip for the Arthritis Foundation: perhaps one day you can update the book using contributions sent in by actual RA patients. And then, have someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis edit the new book, too.