Write in Letters Youve been busy writing to us, tweeting and having your say on our Online Community ISTOCK.COM / RACHELDEWIS Get in touch! Send your letters to: Inspire magazine, 1 Cambridge Technopark, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8PB or email inspire@ versusarthritis.org Living life I have osteoarthritis, gout, and Ive recently had a knee replacement, which is causing some problems. I also had a hip replaced, while my elbows, shoulders and fingers are badly affected by arthritis. I was a long-distance lorry driver for 40 years, very active, and did lots of DIY. Now Im unable to achieve the simplest of jobs. I got very down, depression set in and my weight rose, so in February 2018 I decided I needed to change. I lost weight and, in May, I got an allotment to look after. Its now my sanctuary. Once Ive started, I dont concentrate on how I feel, I just love being outside in the fresh air. Yes, I have good days and some very down days. But then I see that others are worse off than me, and wonder what I am complaining about. Allan Turner, Scotland Access all areas I feel very lucky with the support I received from Access to Work. I was born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome [which can cause loose joints], causing problems throughout childhood. It had the most catastrophic impact in my early 30s I became pregnant and, at three months gestation, I could no longer walk as my pelvis had dislocated. I was employed by Wirral Education Authority (WEA) and I was Head of Faculty when I began to use a wheelchair, and I had to go off sick until my daughter was born in 1998. The occupational doctor said I would no longer be able to teach and would have to consider retirement. For me, this was unthinkable. This was when Access to Work began working with WEA to keep me in the workplace. They bought me an automated wheelchair in excess of 9,000, a mobile phone, a mobile suitcase to carry my work home and a desk that moved up and down for different levels, among other things. I feel eternally grateful for the support from Access to Work and WEA for investing in me; I was made to feel valued and capable, not disabled. Without their funding, my story both professionally and personally would have been so very different. Kathryn Dixon, Cheshire What youre tweeting BBC looked at whether topical pain relief works, & discussed the gels and sprays that promise to reach deep into painful joints. What do you use for pain relief, and what do you find most useful? @VersusArthritis In December I was diagnosed with a blocked gall bladder so immediately lowered my daily fat intake. This had a dramatic reduction in arthritis flareups. If I manage to keep my daily fat allowance to less than 13gms a day Im fine; anything over I need strong painkillers. Mr Baggins Was given Voltarol gel for my hips, didnt do anything for them at all. My hands felt much better though! Still use it on my hands, especially at work. Joanne Thomas Gels have proved useless, as have tablets. Physio exercises are great, but like so many, Ive got at least 2 months to wait before I can see a physio. Swimming does help a bit. Katie Russell CBD oil made into a lotion with plain unperfumed body lotion. Stephen Bourke