I have heard a lot about infra red saunas and infra red blankets helping with pain for people suffering with RA.
I mentioned this to my Rheumatologist yesterday and he very quickly dismissed it “don’t waste your money”, however I do feel he is one for just taking drugs prescribed rather than looking at alternatives.
Sometimes I just ache, wrists, shoulders, ankles, hands, feet - I’m sure most of you know the feeling! Has anyone tried infra red and does it help?
hi
I was lucky to have a physio who used infra red lamp and it worked. In point of fact I was seeing him twice weekly and it kept me going before eventually having a hospital admission. Pure bliss. But that’s my experience. We’re all different.
I think rheumatologists don’t really understand how much difference a tiny bit of help can make. I use soft tubi-grip on my wrists when they are sore. Of course it doesn’t really do much - but it makes me feel a little more comfortable for a small amount of time.
That’s enough for me!!
Do what feels good to you.
completely agree with this and I use it on wrists and knees when ever I need a rest from the ache and pain. I wouldn’t be with it ever!
this is so true! when you're in pain even a little bit of relief makes a big difference
I where a soft wrist support to as my right hand has been more swollen since this damp weather has carried on. I also found a foot op knocked out my Tofacitinib medication. Has anyone else found after a general aesthetic it took over three months for meds to work? 🙃
I think our Rheumatologists worry that we may stop taking the drugs they prescribe and cause permanent damage.
Any supplementary treatment that helps to give some relief is worth a try in my opinion. I haven’t tried what you suggest but heat in some form is my go to help of choice. But keep taking your meds too.
I'd be interested to know this also. I do use a heated blanket when I am particularly achy (which seems to also coincide with feeling chills too). It does at least at a psychological level make me feel a little better. If the infra-red aspect can also improve the tendonitis that is causing a lot of the pain and stiffness, that would be a huge bonus.
I have tendinitis and use KT Tape from theat well known high street chemist but it’s available on line too. There are on line videos on how to apply and it’s easier than it looks, it’s waterproof, easily worn under shoes and sandals, cheap and doesn’t prevent exercise. I’ve seen it in many colours too.
I did buy some tape a while back when I had it in my foot but orthotics solved that before I got round to trying it. Now I have it in my hips and shoulders so not sure what to do with the tape. I'll see if there is anything on Youtube.
I’ve read helix reply about little things making a difference.
I think they’re right.I’ve got lung disease as well as rheumatoid athritis.
I found that rheumatologist are usually more interested in medication and blood test results than symptoms.
Asking for advice on this forum can be useful.
I sometimes speak to the rheumatology nurses,but they haven’t replied for a while.
I don’t know how much these products cost.but if you can afford it may be worth a go. Keep taking the meds,
There was a really useful post on here yesterday,about rheumatology drugs taking 2 years to really work (I know it sounds daunting,I’ve been taking Myclophenate for over 3 years,and when I read the ladies post, I realised that my RA symptoms are ok at the moment)at times I wanted to throw them away,but fear of what might happen kept me taking them.
Good luck
I agree, every little bit of help that gets us all through the days is great and for those with lots of other conditions relief from one helps deal with the other 😊
As others have said, some of the complimentary therapies can give a little bit of comfort. I use a heat pad on my achy joints, particularly my hips and lumbar spine, it does help.
heat pads work for me always.
I have an infra red lamp that I got from Amazon and I find it really helps when my hand are particularly stiff and sore ( when the weather is damp and cold) I use it for 15 minutes twice a day .
Hi there yes it helps me, l have an infrared sauna after my swim three times a week and then I have a cold shower. It seems to help me very much. I’m into alternative also just do what feels good for you. Also l find it detoxes you also, l drink water while I’m having an infrared sauna. 😊
Heat pads, an electric over blanket on my bed and a cheaper copy of vet wrap are a great thing for me to use. I believe that most of us would "try" anything that we think would help ease pain and general discomfort. I have a small cupboard full of splints and wraps that I can turn to when things get very hard the airsplints are a great help for the ankle when you are in so much pain you cannot sleep. I hope the Spring flowers and sunshine boost one and all. Gentle hugs😘
Ooh where are you getting your vet wrap alternative. I usually use regular wrist etc supports but days I think vet wrap would work too.
Hi
I am in the UK and can often buy it very cheaply £1.00 ish at QD. Dont do it too tight and take off at night and if you are careful you can get more than one days use out of it. QD only have it in bright blue!! I dont care about colour as it is mainly hidden under long sleeves. They havent had stock since middle of Covid but yesterday when I went it they had one on the shelves, which I grabbed, and everytime I pass buy I will see if they have more. Proper/copy Vet wrap is available through Amazon but I dont know if that is as good. I do hope this helps you as we progress with "Arthur" we learn different ways of coping and odd buys that work well too. I have a gadget with a long rubber end (I call it a snake) and this is invaluable for opening jars, the milk etc. Big Easter Hugs and sorry to say its raining today after such a glorious day yesterday. S
What’s vet wrap? 🤔
Hi
its a coloured elastic type bandage that can be re used a few times. It is used by vets on animals..it sticks to itself.
thank you 😊
I have an infrared lamp that I use when I’m struggling. It helps for a few hours after I use it, much like the tens machines. The rheumatologist is probably not wanting to be the cause of you spending money, for something which may not work. If you can afford it then there is no harm. Many of these companies let you try it out but return if you’re not happy.
I've been experimenting with infared lamps, they give off a wonderful warmth that seems to sink into the aching joints and benifits your skin. I've got two lamps an led one and a normal bulb. It is important to make sure you buy one with the right spectrum. For most people a ready made unit is best, just do some research to see what suites you and your budget.I take creatine monohydrate that gets rid of the worst of my RA. So the lamp is more for my spinal injury and general health. The feel good factor
Disappointed in your rheumatologists attitude, I guess it comes down to not everyone is open to cures that don't involve the latest drugs.
If you do use an infared lamp it's important to follow the instructions, don't go over the specified times and wear the correct eye protection. Also keep an eye on how you feel check no redness in your skin. It maybe that your skin type is effected more so you need to reduce the times.
Hope this helps answer your question
So, with my academic hat on, in a way your rheumatologist is correct, there is no good evidence that it does much other than make you feel warm during treatment. It doesn't harm, and it doesn't make the RA worse, but nor did it objectively make it better. So what's going on when people say it helps?
For that we turn to neuroscience. Pain and heat use different ways to get to the brain. Pain uses fast neurons; you want your brain and body to remove that finger from the car door quickly before there is more damage!
Temperature however, moves up the 'C fibres' which are much slower, but have a different pathway. Basically, think of it as a gate. There is a gate in the spinal cord where the different nerves have to go through to connect to the brain, and when the C fibres are activated they get to go though the gate but the acute pain in the A fibres gets turned around and isn't allowed to carry on up to the brain. (this is a vast oversimplification, check out this website for more information thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/... thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/... )
Hence, heat can modulate acute pain by stopping it getting to the brain. Touch can do the same thing. And of course these pain pathways can go wrong. But basically, that is why heat works as a natural pain modulation. If you want to spend money on an infrared lamp, then go ahead, it won't hurt you or make the RA worse. But if you want to spend less money buy a hot water bottle (I have three and have been known to use all three at once!) or one of those new fangled microwave things.
Oh, and just a word about compression gloves. They think they also work more by keeping the hands warm than by anything to do with the compression.
I use microwave gel packs for pain relief and a hot bath every night to keep things under control. Works better than the fuzzy brain pain relief! Love Turkish baths but that is a treat. Also recommended some neoprene compression gloves by my occupational health lady for gardening and they are the best thing I have come across(do think they utilise the heat element for pain relief as hands always rather sweaty on removing but do not feel very dated whe wearing).
Also need to consider psychological effects. My brain is very powerful!
When I first started with RA most of my body ached, and pain killers just didn’t do anything. I found that applied heat was the only thing that gave me any relief. I purchased small electric heat pads and used those and used microwaved wheat bags, they didn’t help much with mobility but certainly gave me pain relief.
Chris_0
My dad used to use an infra-red heat lamp on his bad back when he had a twinge, so I think he would recommend it.
I use a small hot water bottle every morning to get my hands moving, so I would definitely say the heat is beneficial.
I just tried an infrared sauna last week actually! I don’t have RA I have AS but I have a lot of small joint pain as well as my spine. I typically use a heating pad often throughout the day. For me, heat works much better than cold. The infrared sauna felt amazing to me. Im not entirely sure of all the benefits or if it truly does what they say but I know it felt great and I got a good sweat in. I havent been able to work out like I used to so it felt really good to sweat. They also claimed it may help with depression and anxiety, again idk how true it is but I know I felt good after and even if its in my head I’ll take it. Like others said do what makes you feel better
Hi!I suggest trying sessions out somewhere before making the big purchase. I bought a "Radiant Health" Far Infrared Sauna. I did a lot of research and this one seemed like the best and safest for me. I'm in the US and had it shipped from Canada.
I have to tell you, initially, I felt a little worse and that's bc I was detoxing but as I kept up with it, I felt better. I love to use it in the winter. When alternative therapies don't interfere with your medication, I see no harm and say go for it. But I slso say, it's your body and you call the shots. Wishing you the best!
I agree with Jesnaskah, I have RA and am trying to find places to try out saunas before purchasing one. I have read alot about it helping with pain. I would give anything a try first!
High red blood cell count!!!
Red light therapy works for me
Red spots on lower legs
