letters Letters get in tou ch! Send your letters to: Inspire, C PL, 275 newmark Cambridg et road, e CB5 8JE or email in arthritisca spire@ re.org.uk Youve been busy writing in to us, Tweeting and posting on our forum this month heres a selection of your thoughts if only id looked after my feet and not crouched when my toes were inflamed, they might not be all clawed up now, no-one else can be blamed. if only id had Inspire back then to help me know what to do, with such useful information now i read it all the way through! Margaret Cheesman, via email If only Id... Correction if only id looked after my joints and exercised as i was told, i might be much more able now and not feel quite so old. Juliette Wills makes some useful points in her article Hooray for the holidays (summer 2015), but she is wrong to describe Plaquenil as an NsaiD. it is a DmaRD. Patricia Blackledge, via email if only id looked after my fingers and used a lighter cup, they might not be all wonky now and hurt when i wash up. Eds response: Apologies, and thanks for pointing that out, Patricia! FEATURE APP BOXOUT HEAD 4 A weight lifted XXXXXXXXXX I have severe arthritis in my shoulders. Inspire is very helpful, and I am a supporter of the magazine, but most articles seem to focus on hip and knee exercises understandably, as those are areas that more people have problems with. However, it would be great if you could feature something on shoulders or elbows for a change. Thanks! Name and address withheld Eds response: Thanks for your feedback, and youll be pleased to see that we have two pages on shoulder and upper-back exercises in this issue. Hope it helps. What youre tweeting @arthritis_care With a bit of #planning & #pacing you can still enjoy days out with #arthritis. Can you share your tips with us? @hamrowannie long distances/times on feet are an issue for me. My super supportive hubby parks as close as poss @hamrowannie I take my stick with seat on. Instant seat as and when. I also take pain relief before leaving the house @arthritis_care These are excellent tips! Its always important to have regular breaks @arthritis_care Avoid having a busy day before your day out, & accept you may need to plan for a quiet day afterwards to recover @TheBimblers Plan ahead, go at your pace, listen to your body, allow yourself time to recover and let a wheelchair take the strain @arthritis_care Discuss beforehand with family/friends what youll be able to manage so they understand any limitations you have @hamrowannie If the place in question has a cafe, reserve a table guaranteed seat/rest at lunchtime Follow us on Twitter "