Rosalie's Story
Looking back, Rosalie had no idea a time bomb was ticking in her body, and that she was just two years away from requiring a wheelchair.
At first, Rosalie noticed her knees or her shoulder would get sore and later, painful and stiff after a hard day's work. It didn't take long before Rosalie's symptoms got much worse. "Soon, I noticed it would take longer and longer to feel better. I would have to ice down my shoulders and my knees just to be able to move them, they were even sensitive to touch" she recalls.
"I went to my doctor to discuss the pain and soreness I was feeling. We did a blood test which confirmed my doctor's diagnosis. I had rheumatoid arthritis."
Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is critical before permanent damage occurs. Frequently it takes time to seek out a team of medical professionals who can assist patients like Rosalie to manage rheumatoid arthritis and find the right mix of medications to treat the condition. In Rosalie's case, as she traveled to access appointments with specialists, her symptoms worsened swiftly. Within a few short months, Rosalie went from an able-bodied and active woman to using a cane, then a walker, and finally a wheelchair.
Rosalie recalls, that "by the time I had received my diagnosis, the damage had been done to my knees, and I was put on waiting lists for specialists and surgeries."
"You have to be very smart about managing yourself and your health," remembers Rosalie. Early in her treatment, she realized that she needed to be her own most vocal advocate for her health care. "There are fewer resources for arthritis patients," she continued, "It's frustrating, but you have to ask lots of questions and be assertive about getting help to manage your own health. All you have is yourself to make sure you have a consistent, effective treatment routine."
With the right medication and treatment plan in place, Rosalie is more mobile again and looking forward to returning to work. She feels employers often have misconceptions about arthritis, and that can make it more difficult to find jobs, but she is committed to returning to her active life. "I watch what I eat now really carefully, I do my work outs and I have to watch my energy closely - be aware of what my body is telling me. I wasn't listening before," says Rosalie. "I am taking the steps I need to live well with arthritis, and I am looking forward to returning to work and contributing to my community."
As one of 600,000 British Columbians living with arthritis, Rosalie has shared her story as part of the Where is Arthritis? tour, which is traveling the province in September in recognition of Arthritis Awareness month in Canada. She summarized her advice for others, "It doesn't matter who you are - anyone can get arthritis. Don't ignore what your body is telling you - listen to those little aches and pains - and get yourself informed and diagnosed before the damage is permanent."