YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS-NOW WHAT?

If your doctor has diagnosed with arthritis, you may feel overwhelmed, not knowing what to do next.  Fortunately, arthritis is generally treatable, so that most people can live a productive, active life.   Take the following steps to give yourself the best chance to keep your arthritis from controlling your life.

1. Listen to your doctor: Your doctor will usually give you some information about your arthritis.  Listen carefully to what your doctor has to say, and start to decide
2. Empower yourself! Empowerment means taking control of your health.  Besides what your doctor tells you, learn about your arthritis on your own.  Being educated will provide the skills to make the smartest decisions as you create a plan of action. 
3. Think positive: focus on what you can do to manage your arthritis. Embrace your victories as you find ways to stay active and productive without arthritis getting in your way. 
4. Create a plan of action: Commit yourself to a set of rules, promises, and tasks that will help you manage and treat your arthritis symptoms.  Think about short term solutions and long term goals so you that you can “arthritis-proof” your life. 
5. Focus on home treatments: there are many ways to help treat arthritis without   medications and surgery.  Healthy lifestyle, weight management, and activity modifications can be as good or better than anything your doctor can do for you.
6. Be compliant with your medications: Some types of arthritis have medication options that can dramatically improve your pain and long-term function, and can even provoke disease remission.  Take your medications as prescribed and follow up with your doctor regularly.