There are 200,000 people living with arthritis in Saskatchewan. (ID 42383289 © Hriana | Dreamstime.com)

By Teena Monteleone

Urgent health concern

‘Not just an old person’s disease’: Dispelling myths during Arthritis Awareness Month

Sep 17, 2024 | 7:02 AM

Patricia Bell tripped and hurt her ankle one day. Being 31 years old at the time, and in good health, the Prince Albert resident didn’t think twice about the incident and just chalked it up to clumsiness. The swelling eventually went down, but the pain never left.

“I could hardly walk on my ankle and my job at the time required that I spend long periods of time on my feet as a teaching nurse,” said Bell.

By the end of the school year, she had to quit her job because the pain just wouldn’t go away. Bell waited about three months to see a rheumatologist.

“She told me that yes, my blood work showed that I was positive for rheumatoid arthritis and that my ankle was likely one of the first joints that was affected,” said Bell. “By the time I left her office, she had identified six other joints that were affected.”

It came as a shock to Bell. Like many, she had always thought of arthritis as ‘an old person’s disease.’

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Prince Albert resident Patricia Bell, who was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 31, is sharing her experience with the disease during Arthritis Awareness Month. (Submitted photo/Arthritis Society Canada)

Trish Barbato, president and CEO of Arthritis Society Canada said its that type of misconception that downplays the severity and realities faced by those living with arthritis.

“In fact, most people with arthritis are under the age of 65. For osteoarthritis, which is the most common type, a third of people are diagnosed before they are 45, which means its childbearing years, it’s family, it’s career and work and it affects people of all ages including kids. Very few people understand that children, teenagers, young adults – everyone has arthritis,” Barbato said.

September is Arthritis Awareness Month. The society is focusing on dispelling myths and highlighting the many ways the disease steals from the lives of the people it impacts by sharing personal stories through patients like Bell, who is one of 200,000 people living with arthritis in Saskatchewan.

It’s a complex disease with over 100 different types including lupus and gout.

“When you think about some of the autoimmune and autoinflammatory types of arthritis, these are really serious diseases. Some of the medication that we have to curtail the progression of the disease has significant side effects. It can be very difficult to access the medication that people need. It can be really debilitating in terms of pain and joint inflammation and mobility issues and impact on career and ability to work. For kids, the ability to play and do things…it can have just a really incredible and devastating impact. It can steal a lot from individuals.”

Barbato believes arthritis is disproportionately underfunded based on its impact and cost to society. It’s the leading cause of disability in the workplace and she said a huge cost to the country.

Bell was forced to change her career path at least three times because of the disease.

“I ended up on long term disability at one point when I was in my mid to late 40’s for about a year. But I decided I couldn’t do it. I really wanted to go back to work. I had lots to offer and so I sort of pushed through.”

She said the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis can be excruciating. She often ended the day in tears and had trouble sleeping because of the pain. Fortunately, she had employers who gave her flexibility to control her chronic disease.

“This disease took so much from me,” Bell said. “Throughout my entire life, I’m retired now and in my 70’s, but when I look back over what I wasn’t able to do during my life, it was because of the disease I had. I missed parties and events with friends and hobbies because I couldn’t stay up past 8:30 at night.”

Bell said there needs to be more research about arthritis and more education about how it affects people.

“You know my jaw would get so sore, I couldn’t smile. I had no idea arthritis could affect my mouth.

I’ve been fortunate. I’ve only had to have one hip replacement,” she said.

Most knee and hip replacements are due to arthritis and Barbato said in Saskatchewan, only 23 per cent of knee replacements and about a third of hip replacements are currently being done in the recommended time of six months.

“That’s another thing during Arthritis Awareness Month, we’re asking people to advocate for improvement in wait times in their province because in those months that you’re waiting, I mean you could become even more debilitated.”

There is no cure for arthritis. The best outcome is that medication helps a patient stay stable.

The Arthritis Society of Canada said Bell’s story is a powerful testament to the many ways that arthritis steals from those living with the disease. They call it an urgent heath concern in need of immediate attention. Right now, there are 6-million Canadians impacted by arthritis.

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Teena.Monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertNOW