Osteoarthritis Expert Pattye Snyder shares Osteoarthritis management news and commentary at MyOsteoarthritisCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89 http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89 http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/94745/mornings Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:29:00 -0500 Pattye Snyder I awakened early this morning to my African alarm clock (our rooster).  After several days of intermittent heavy rain, and little electricity, it's a glorious, sunny, cloud-free day. I went to our front porch to see if Mt. Kilimanjaro was visible and Her Majesty, as we call her, was "open" (showing) in all her snow-peaked glory!   In America, I always seem to get caught up in the daily rush, rush, rush.  In Africa, however, no... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/94745/mornings http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/90727/replacement Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:19:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder I awakened this morning to yet another cold and dreary, rainy Fall day and, of course, the "bonus" of my extra pain from arthritis.  Early tomorrow I will catch my plane to begin the long flight back to my African home and the volunteer work I will do there for a few months. I will have limited access to a computer, the Internet and even electricity! I hope to blog as much as I can. I am also very much aware that I won't be pain-free,... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/90727/replacement http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/89522/adventures Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:27:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder In about three short weeks, I'll be returning to East Africa to live and work for a few months.   I've been there before, of course, and feel like I'm returning to my other home and family in Africa.  It's interesting, and incredibly frustrating, that my arthritis seems to always become more active at the most inopportune times -- of course, I guess, there really isn't a "good" time.   Since BOTH of my knees are now "gone," I... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/89522/adventures http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/83429/wildebeests-ve Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:48:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder I'm a well-educated and fairly intelligent person, but once in awhile, an awareness or a thought suddenly hits me that makes me feel very dense (maybe I've spent too much time in the African Bush?). Yesterday, I was running those endless errands, working on my pre-African departure checklist, when suddenly I decided I'd better grab a quick lunch.  I stopped at a local fast food place, something I seldom do, and placed my order at the... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/83429/wildebeests-ve http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/81128/osteoarthritis Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:19:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder After having spent a few months last summer teaching street kids to grow their own food in a Juvenile Detention center in East Africa, I decided to add a variety of vegetables to my backyard flower gardens.  I hadn't grown my own for many years due to the same (somewhat lame) excuses that most people use.  I don't have the time. It's a lot of work. I live alone and don't need tons of veggies and, of course, I HAVE ARTHRITIS and simply... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/81128/osteoarthritis http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/75424/challenges Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:39:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder Although many of our readers don't happen to live within the Continental U.S., I'm sure they are discovering many of the same "problems" that we are.  Packaging of a wide variety of things (everything from sliced cheeses and meats to medications to paintbrushes) has changed radically in the last few years.  Although I'm grateful for the concern toward good health, consumer safety and sanitation, I am just as frustrated by these... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/75424/challenges http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/72367/stop-arthritis Tue, 26 May 2009 16:08:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder After spending much of the last three months recovering from more surgeries on my foot due to osteoarthritis, I find that I still tire easily and become frustrated with my lack of energy.  I realize that, according to my surgeons, "It just takes time," but I'm not very patient.   A few nights ago, I saw something that changed those feelings a little.  I was stretched out in my favorite recliner and happened to turn on the TV to... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/72367/stop-arthritis http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/68453/practical Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:22:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder At best it was very painful, frustrating, and lonely.  I know that the rest of the world tends to continue whether I'm homebound or not, but I suddenly realized (after a prolonged pouting spell), that my friends weren't trying to be mean, they just had no clue what to do!     Early March, I had surgeries #7 and #8 due to my arthritis.  I AM thankful that modern medicine has made the strides it has in orthopedic surgery in... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/68453/practical http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/64264/wheelchairs-2 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:06:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder As I continue to heal from my most recent foot/leg surgeries due to arthritis, I've found many things that make my life a little easier.  I attached a small shoulder bag to one arm of my wheelchair and always keep my pain meds in it so they're readily available as needed.  I also keep an insulated mug (with a TIGHT fitting lid. I'm SURE I don't have to explain that), my cordless phone, a phone call list, tissues, and a small bag of... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/64264/wheelchairs-2 http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/64263/wheelchairs Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:04:00 -0400 Pattye Snyder I am now two weeks post-op from my most recent surgeries on my foot and leg due to osteoarthritis. Although these were #8, and #9 for me, they somehow don't seem to get easier to handle.  There are many things that need to be done pre-op.  I knew, in advance, because of the extensive surgery on my foot, that I would not be allowed to walk for at least 2 MONTHS!     This has made my life a touch challenging.  I love to... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/64263/wheelchairs