I was diagnosed with RA last March after an episode of inflammation, swelling and pain in my hands and knees. I was placed on steroids-stopped in Nov 2008 and 8x 30mg cocodamol, then methotrexate for approx 2 weeks, after 6 mths of waiting then told to stop taking it, which I did. Luckily this seemed to help and I was given a reprieve for almost 12 months. I have seen a rheumatologist 4 x in past 12 mths.
I now have a massive flare-up, which is causing excrutiating pain in all joints, swelling, puffiness, tightened skin and sore muscles. My GP has begun oramorph, which takes the edge of it slightly. I am trying to do some form of exercise, walking, slow movement of my limbs to alleviate the pain, but to no avail. Am I doing something wrong, I don't seem to know, I then get tense and the pain feels worse. (I cannot get in or out of the bath- I would love a long, lavender soak). I really am in a mood of feeling 'sorry for myself' at this moment in time.
I am a pessimist-I know this train of thought does not help, but it's who I am!!
Has anyone any suggestions of help that I can try??-diet, supplements, a form of exercise and sleeping-which seems impossible these days, a positive thought maybe. Anything will be of great help to me at this present time.
Thank you.
:confused:
Hiya
I do sympathise - I've had RA for some years but only got diagnosed 4 years ago, and had a flare up in February. What I found helped was heat packs, hot compresses - and Reiki. I became attuned to Reiki and found the healing really helped. I should be walking with two sticks but don't - even with the flare up I was only walking with one stick. I have heated seats in my car which really help the pain in my hips and lower back. You might find cold works for you, so try both.
Is there any reason why you can't take NSAIDs for the inflammation? Naproxen and Ibuprofen? I have a sort of ladder of tablets for the pain, starting with paracetamol and working up to codydramol (I've got some dihydrocodeine somewhere).
The other things to recommend are glucosamine with chondroitin, which my rheumatologist recommended to me, and also there is good evidence to suggest that oils such as hemp and starflower, which are high in omega fatty acids, help.
Sorry I can't be of more use! Do try the Reiki though.
Hi EllieMay :wave:
RA is an awful thing to have to cope with, but as Chris says there are strategies that can help. There are also creams or gels which contain capsaicin, an extract of chili, that interferes with the pain signals being sent to the brain. It also comes in supplement form. MSM as tablets or a cream is often helpful for affected joints.
Bromelain (extract from pineapple), Boswellia and ginger are powerful anti-inflammatories which help support balanced immune function.
Essential fatty acids from fish oils (3000mg/day of combined EPA and DHA) plus borage or flaxseed oil (GLA) are also anti-inflammatory - and necessary.
From the nutritional point of view, several studies have shown that even chronic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can improve considerably in some people – in as quickly as a month or less from starting to eat a wholefood vegetarian or preferably vegan diet. That way it may be possible to break the cycle of the disease and start the healing process. You will need vitamin and mineral supplements as well to help your body cope with the onslaught. There are several foods which you may have developed an intolerance to, such as the tomato family, also environmental allergens, food additives, etc.
Although stress or a virus may have been the trigger, an impaired digestive system is often the seat of many health problems, including RA. It can all be looked into
There are so many possibles to sort out that it's best to get a nutritional therapist to help find a suitable combination for you. This would be along side your medical support. Find one at 😀
Let us know how you get on :confused:.
Wishing you better health!
Caroline
happy thought
I was diagnosed with RA last March after an episode of inflammation, swelling and pain in my hands and knees. I was placed on steroids-stopped in Nov 2008 and 8x 30mg cocodamol, then methotrexate for approx 2 weeks, after 6 mths of waiting then told to stop taking it, which I did. Luckily this seemed to help and I was given a reprieve for almost 12 months. I have seen a rheumatologist 4 x in past 12 mths.
I now have a massive flare-up, which is causing excrutiating pain in all joints, swelling, puffiness, tightened skin and sore muscles. My GP has begun oramorph, which takes the edge of it slightly. I am trying to do some form of exercise, walking, slow movement of my limbs to alleviate the pain, but to no avail. Am I doing something wrong, I don't seem to know, I then get tense and the pain feels worse. (I cannot get in or out of the bath- I would love a long, lavender soak). I really am in a mood of feeling 'sorry for myself' at this moment in time.
I am a pessimist-I know this train of thought does not help, but it's who I am!!
Has anyone any suggestions of help that I can try??-diet, supplements, a form of exercise and sleeping-which seems impossible these days, a positive thought maybe. Anything will be of great help to me at this present time.
Thank you.
:confused:
sending you a happy thought and a smile that I hope for a little while will ease your pain theres nonthing like the sun on a summers day and a light breeze to make you smile.. thinking of you..
Walking and exercise and eating a balanced diet will help, I know it maybe very painful at times to excerise with [url]Rheumatoid Arthritis [/url]but you have to try to keep the joints moving. I use Myphield to get rid of the pain before I go for my walks. Here is a link to their site maybe it can help you.