RA solutions

[cshakula]

This is for my girlfriend who has RA and recently has had her hands & feet swell up. Couple days ago she woke up crying because her hand hurt so bad and was swollen. I would like to give her some advice.

[Amy_Lee]

Hi, get her to join this group and post questions that she feels wanting an answer directly. Her condition can be worse but if she follows treatment closely and get on with daily exercise, very slowly, she will be fine.

Read my recovery journey in the link below, I like to build her confident to fight the disease positively.

healthunlocked.com/ra-warri....

If she is new to RA, get her to go through the 2 very good videos below to understand what is going on with her. i got most of my answers from these 2 videos.

healthunlocked.com/ra-warri...

Regardless of how painful she can be, she must start to do some exercise daily to avoid joints stiffness and muscles being wasted. Yes, her hands and legs can be in great pain, but she can start with something that she can tolerate with. Below link was some of the exercises that I did at the very beginning of my RA recovery journey and I hope it gives her some ideas of what to do next.

healthunlocked.com/ra-warri...

Be with her and support her, she is in great pain right and she needs your morale support to get over this horrible disease. Tell her she will be fine one day is she fight back positively!

[sylvi]

WHat a lovely thoughtful person you are to want to get some advice for your girlfriend. Go onto the NRAS website and put in there what you want to know and they will have answers for you and also they have a helpline for you to call and they will support you both darling. One piece of advice from me is let her cry and cuddle her while she is crying you don't need to say anything your arms round her will do all the talking you need.xxcx

[Hidden]

Hi cshakula,

your girlfriend may find it helpful to look at our website:

nras.org.uk/

I don't know whereabouts in the world you are but if she has any questions she or you can always email the helpline:

[e-mail]

If you are in the UK then you can ring:

0800 298 7650 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm

Regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[Hidden]

What a loving partner you are!! Is your girlfriend being treated by a rheumatologist? If she is then once the meds kick in she will be painfree. Ask your doctor for a steroid shot until the meds work.

The pain of RA is horrific!! The best way I can explain the pain to people is :

If you see me staring at my hands it is because I'm expecting to see a person bashing my hands with a hammer.

[cshakula in reply to Hidden]

What kind of meds, she tried a lot and nothing works?

Thanks, for Kim

She does not have access to the internet, which is why I am writing on her behalf.

[Hidden in reply to cshakula]

The med's can take time, up to 3 months to start working. The meds belong to a group of drugs called DMARDs. Only her doctor can advise her, but I am on hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine and mtx.

All my best to you and Kim,

Sue

[notagranny]

HI, I've started a blog about items which I've found helpful in daily life with rheumatoid arthritis like footwear, beauty items kitchen gadgets. Do drop me a message if you'd like the link.

Thanks

[cshakula in reply to notagranny]

Sure I'd love the link for my friend.

Thanks,

Cindy

[Joy_1]

Hi, apart from the meds what has helped me (my RA is in my hands and feet) are the following:

acupuncture

tiger balm (white one)

exercise (aqua aerobics + swimming) - I find if I push through the 'pain barrier' I get relief for the rest of the day

walking - again hard to begin with but works for me

other things that work for others I know:

yoga

Tai chi