Keep on moving
When I was initially diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), I methodically worked to offset its effects with an eye on holistic arts and common sense.
I changed my diet to gluten-free and it helped me lose 60 pounds over 2 years.
I also tore the meniscus in my right knee and it was deemed inoperable. I wore a brace for a while and walked with a cane, yet I began a walking regimen. It was hard. I was never much for exercise while I toiled as a sedentary sports journalist.
At first, I walked only a few hundred steps. Now I strive for at least a mile a day. The benefits are much more than any drug could provide.
Five years after diagnosis, I’ve learned to cope with the related disabilities. The psoriasis is virtually clear. I still take shots of Enbrel every 10 days, methotrexate weekly and folic acid on the days I don’t take methotrexate.
I take very good care of my skin, sitting in the sun for short intervals and using lotions to keep it supple and smooth for a 70-year-old.
The walking is the key. It also improves your mental well-being. I had slipped into the abyss of retirement and the waves of depression challenged me, but I feel much better after enjoying nature’s subtleties.
Yes, my toes are very stiff. Yes, I also have osteoarthritis and other little reminders we older folks get. But I’m coping, and hoping I can continue to deter the effects of aging.
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