Lara local reveals struggle with Sjogren’s syndrome
Chris Ash is one of many Australians whose careers have been impacted by a musculoskeletal condition.
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Chris Ash is one of many Australians whose careers have been impacted by a musculoskeletal condition.
Ms Ash, 70, was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome in 2004, six months after symptoms emerged.
She experienced rashes, a dry mouth and eyes, and back pain caused by the auto-immune disease.
Ms Ash said, like lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome caused “a lot” of inflammation.
The disease meant the Lara resident gave up her job working in the therapeutic sector prematurely.
“The fatigue is terrible, I gave up work at 63, If I didn’t have this, I’d probably still be working now,” she said.
Ms Ash takes medication and takes part in activities such as tai chi and hydrotherapy to help manage her condition.
But she said fatigue continued to be her “main issue” caused by the disease.
“These conditions are hideous,” she said.
Musculoskeletal Australia (MSK) will conduct the largest and most comprehensive consumer-driven survey in Australia of people like Ms Ash living with musculoskeletal conditions.
Those caring for someone with a condition can also respond, and the survey aims to determine how care can be improved.
After a pilot survey by MSK in July, responses showed people living with musculoskeletal conditions were impacted in a variety of ways and needed help and support to better manage their conditions and have a better quality of life.
The preliminary results showed that all respondents said affordable treatment options and services such as physiotherapy, exercise classes and medication would better help them manage their conditions.
Three-quarters backed this up by saying more government support, specifically for the ongoing costs of treatment, would also help them manage their condition.
“The prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions in Australia is becoming exceedingly high and can have a profound impact on people’s lives, including their mental wellbeing and socio-economic circumstances,” MSK CEO Rob Anderson said.
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“Our national consumer survey is the first step to providing us with a broader understanding of their experiences, needs and how to best support them.”
“We strongly encourage everyone living with a musculoskeletal condition, or those caring for someone, to complete the survey.
“It takes only 10 minutes to complete and will greatly assist MSK and other organisations to better engage Australians living with these conditions and improve their quality of life.”
There are more than 150 musculoskeletal conditions, which include common conditions such as osteoarthritis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia.
The survey results, once compiled, will provide MSK with a better understanding of the needs and experiences of the 7 million Australians living with a condition and how their care can be improved.
For more information, and to respond to the survey, visit msk.org.au
The survey closes on Wednesday, October 14, with findings released in November.
Originally published as Lara local reveals struggle with Sjogren’s syndrome