Write in Letters Youve been busy writing to us with your tips for living with arthritis Keep moving I was really interested to read your feature on pain (6 ways to help ease pain, Inspire, summer 2022). I find that moving around my house and garden, even when I dont feel like it, does help my joints. If I sit too long, I feel stiff and my hips are painful. Heat packs really work for me, as well as warm baths when Ive done too much. Beryl Watson, Inverness Green fingered I really enjoy my garden, but Im finding it difficult to manage now. Are there any special tools designed for people with arthritis that might help? Sue Davids, via email Eds response: Yes there are. Versus Arthritis collaborates with the organisation Arthr, which produces a range of gardening tools and other household products to help with everyday tasks. Take a look at arthr.com/collections/outdoors Helping hands Your feature on asking for help (Inspire, spring 2022) was an eye-opener. I struggle to tell people about my condition, as I dont know where to GET IN TOUCH! Send your letters to: Inspire magazine, 1 Cambridge Technopark, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8PB or email inspire@versusarthritis.org start. Friends are understanding, but new acquaintances just assume that arthritis affects old people. Having read your feature, its given me a bit more confidence to ask for help and open up to people. Thank you! Kathryn Smith, via email TIPS FOR LIVING WELL Sometimes you do just need to rest. Especially when youre having a bad flare and the fatigue is so debilitating. Dont feel guilty about it either. Cara Pace yourself, stop when youve had enough and if you cant do something dont do it. But try to do a little exercise every day, it keeps your joints and muscles strong. Margaret I have not long started doing aquafit (gentle exercise in a swimming pool), even when I feel in pain when I wake up I still go, I am finding it helps me, yes I feel shattered and like a jelly when I get out but it seems to set me up for rest of the day. Gillian 8 Inspire Autumn 22 pp08 Letters.indd 8 16/08/2022 16:41