Arthritis debilitating, can lead to isolation says CreakyJoints

Canberra woman Janine Monty knows this all too well.

“I used to be really fit and active – I used to run 5km a day just for fun,” she said.

“Once the arthritis took over, I couldn’t do what I used to and I wasn’t so much fun anymore.”

Janine was 36 years old when she was first diagnosed with various forms of inflammatory arthritis – including mixed connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis and undifferentiated spondylitis. 

She said the diagnosis would eventually “dismantle” her life as she knew it.

“I was a web-developer and had great contracts. Life was going really well.”

Living with the condition eventually resulted in the loss of her marriage and job.

Despite the impacts it has had on her life, Janine said she was determined to be an active and enthusiastic contributor to society. 

“On my good days, I do as much exercise as I can – I go to the gym and visit my physical therapist,” she said.

But she said most Australians had no idea of what the condition was like for her on her bad days.

“People don’t understand how debilitating arthritis is. They think it’s just sore joints, but there are days when I am in complete agony and feeling horrible,” she said.

Arthritis affects her life in a number of ways, from having to turn down social events at the last minute to having to avoid the gym and being unable to reply to text messages or emails.

Janine said it was important Australians knew people living with arthritis weren’t lazy or slack, they were able to contribute, and that social isolation was not voluntary.

This spring, arthritis support network CreakyJoints Australia is spreading awareness about the debilitating nature of the condition.

For more information, click here.