Keeping it Real With Arthritis: Amy Granger

*Amy Granger wished to stay anonymous 

Name:   

Amy Granger

Location:

Las Vegas, NV

Diagnosis/Diagnoses:

I have facet arthropathy and osteoarthritis. When I was pregnant with my 10-year-old, I started having severe back pain that was attributed to pregnancy, but it didn’t go away after delivery. My doctor didn’t take the time to try to find what was causing it and just prescribed medication to control the pain. After a while, he sent me to a pain management clinic, who also did nothing to find the cause. 8 years later, I moved and had a new doctor, who did actually try to find the source, so I got a diagnosis. Since then, I’ve had my medications changed and had two procedures done to try to reduce the pain. Neither was very successful, so we just keep on trying.

Bio: (Who are you? What do you do? Tell me about yourself)    

I’m a 35yo transcriptionist/closed captioner. I make jewelry, I knit, and I write horror and fantasy fiction.

How do you keep rising above your condition every day? (Include anything that has worked for you. Examples: conventional medication, supplements, alternative treatments, diet, your faith, religion, healers, spirituality, exercise. Please also include any advice, tips or tricks you may have)

Medications are very helpful–I take opioids and anti-inflammatories, and I use a lidocaine ointment. I also use a TENS unit, heating pad, and take a lot of hot baths. Massages help, though I can’t afford professional ones, so it’s usually just a quick backrub from my fiance. Yoga helps when I can handle doing it, which isn’t very often anymore.

What does life look like at its best with your condition? (Describe what a good day looks like) 

On a good day, I can do one or two of the following: a large grocery trip (I don’t have a car, so I have to carry everything or push a small utility cart), housework that’s more than just surface cleaning, or even rearranging light furniture.    

What challenges have you faced in regards to your specific situation?     

Trying to find a doctor who was willing to take the time to find a cause was obviously a big challenge. I’ve also had difficulty keeping a job due to the pain, so I now work from home, but even that isn’t as regular as I’d like, because of the pain. I’ve also had to spend a lot of time explaining to people that I may not look sick, or I may seem too young to be in this much pain all the time, or that I’m not addicted to my pain medications.

They say our life experiences shape who we are.  How has your condition molded you into the person you are today? How has it inspired you and what strengths have you gained from your health journey?  

I don’t think it has inspired me in any ways. I may have become stronger from dealing with it on a daily basis, but it’s just my life, so I don’t have much choice.

Want to see more of Amy?

Follow her on:

Twitter @broken_queene

Check her out her blog: queeneoftheashes.wordpress.com

Etsy shop: brokenqueenejewelry.etsy.com