AboutAmelia Yaussy Expertise I can answer questions about systemic scleroderma and live and internet resources to help you cope with this disease. I have personal experince with scleroderma, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's Syndrome.
Experience I am a systemic scleroderma patient (12 years) and have been active in support online for nearly the same amount of time. I proposed the Usenet newsgroup alt.support.scleroderma and own the website ihavescleroderma.com.
Organizations I am a board member and volunteer for the Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter.
Publications Arthritis Today, Sept 1997, "A guide to the internet"
Education/Credentials International Webmasters Association, Web Technologies Certification
Awards and Honors Volunteer of the Year, Scleroderma Foundation, 2004; Advocacy Appreciation Award, Scleroderma Foundation, 2005
Expert: Amelia Yaussy Date: 5/1/2007 Subject: Sunburn and Joint Pain
Question I am 50 years old and have arthritis. It usually doesn't give me too much trouble unless I overwork a certain area. I have noticed over the last few years that if I get a painful sunburn, my most vulnerable arthritic areas hurt more than usual. It is my shoulders, elbows, lower back, hips, and knees that hurt the most when I get sunburned. These are not necessarily the areas in which I get the sunburn. I ache as though I have the flu. Is there a connection between sunburned skin and arthritic joints?
Answer What sort of arthritis do you have? The only connection I can think of with osteoarthritis is that if you're out-and-about long enough to get a sunburn, you're probably overdoing it a bit. Usually, this sort of pain is alleviated by rest.
Regular exercise like walking is good for arthritic joints, in the long run and eased into after a long winter of inactivity. Talk to your doc about what exercise is best for you and find a routine you can stick with. And, wear sunscreen for your skin's sake.
