Against all odds

“I am a trained journalist. I graduated from St Paul’s University in 2016 hoping to throw my hat into the ring of journalism, my lifetime passion. But arthritis has backpedalled my desire to some extent.

“My childhood was pretty normal; I did not suffer from any health complications until after my 10th birthday when I developed rheumatoid arthritis. This is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the joints especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles, resulting in painful deformity and immobility. I have battled this condition for the last 16 years.

“My family has suffered psychologically, emotionally and financially throughout the years. We have sought the help of trained medics and traditional herbalist, and visited nearly all local orthopaedic hospitals in the country. We have spent a fortune in the process. These visits though have come to nought.

“In 2016 I had a ray of hope when my doctor then introduced me to a certain corticosteroid (a type of steroid hormone used to treat inflammations) called Diprofos that is administered as an injection. Things improved a great deal and I was painless for three months. The drug also gave me an exaggerated sense of vigour, and walking also became less strenuous.

“Over time, however, I became addicted to the steroid; my body could not function without it. Instead of the prescribed interval of three months, I started going for the jab every month. A few weeks down the line, my body started reacting to the jab and eventually rejected it. I began to experience acute allergies to nearly all types of food, and severe stomach ulcers. I stumbled upon the side effects of the drug online and stopped using it with immediate effect. But that would mark the beginning of more agony and even worse withdrawal symptoms.

FAMILY CARE

“At my age, I should be on my own and fending for myself and even assisting my parents. It is quite odd that two years since I graduated, I am still in their care. But my parents, to whom I am forever beholden, have never stopped caring for me. Sometimes it is awkward having to depend on my mother for nearly all personal tasks such as dressing up, tying my shoe laces and even combing my own hair. My elder sister and only sibling has also been very supportive emotionally.

“Arthritis is a sensitive condition that can only be maintained through proper diet and ‘careful’ lifestyle. As a patient, you are required to be on a special diet that is devoid of proteins, dairy products, red meat, and processed foods such as soda, excessive sugar or alcohol. At any given time, I use more than one type of drugs, some which cost Sh4,000 per tablet. A single visit to the clinic leaves my family Sh14,000 out of pocket. Living with arthritis is an expensive affair. The condition is also very erratic; there are times when I will comfortably move a desk from one point to another, and other times when I cannot zip up my own jacket.

“The only thing I can do is hold my smartphone, but even so, not for so long. My hands grow weak quickly, and as such, I handle things only minimally to avoid damaging them.

“I always imagined that arthritis was a disease of the elderly. It never occurred to me that young people could also be affected and that one day I would be confined to a chair indoors, barely able to move around.

“Despite all this, I am actively practicing journalism. I am an editor at Writers Space Africa (a magazine that promotes African writers), a freelance fiction editor at Mystery Publishers and a board member at African Writers Development Trust. I also hope to become a published author in 2019.

Choosing optimism

“I would love to have fun, to go out often, to meet new friends, to date and to lead a vibrant life like my peers. But my condition permits very limited movement. Over the years, I have reconciled with the fact that there is little I can do to change my circumstances.

“The biggest lesson for me has been the importance of eating right. While I initially hated vegetables, greens and fruits constitute the largest component of my meals these days. Besides, I am strictly a vegan courtesy of this condition.

“After my terrible experience with the steroid in 2016, I stopped using oral pills. The last thing I wanted to deal with was the double tragedy of steroid dependency on top of arthritis. To relieve pain during attacks, I use anti-inflammatory gels which I apply over the affected area. Such has been my routine for two years now, but I am coping well.

“On the positive side, my condition has awakened in me a strong consciousness about my health. Whenever doctors make recommendations on my condition, I scrutinise the information by comparing it with alternative advice from other experts to just be on the safe side. I also keep a diary which helps me to predict my health patterns and to manage situations as they arise.

“I have joined several support groups. Sharing and learning through other peoples’ experiences has helped me to trudge on strongly; I do not have to walk the tough journey alone.

“I have chosen to be optimistic, to face my condition with grit, grace and confidence. My change of attitude has made living with arthritis somewhat bearable. I use my position to spur positivity among people who may be in the same ordeal through several groups on social media. I believe that self-acceptance is the key to true happiness. But most importantly, there is life after diagnosis with any disease.”