Things that have helped me 😎

[Ali_H]

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day

Splitting my MTX over the day

You peeps here 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Family and other half

Colleagues who get it and care (particularly around the fatigue issue)

Crying when down and laughing when I can And avoiding too much news watching/listening - it’s enough to make anyone ill!

Seeing a counsellor to process things (GP can refer or some areas have a self referral system to something called ‘Let’s Talk’)

Turmeric - supplement and a bit of fresh or powdered added to soups, stews, mash (sweet potatoes and carrots mmm!)

Stewed apples and plain yoghurt seems to be beneficial- or I just really like it so want to believe that it is!

Vit D supplement in the winter months

Removing potatoes and tomatoes from my diet for a while seemed to help. I eat tomatoes more again but potatoes less so.

Keeping active - electric bike, swim, walk, garden

Gently rolling a rolling pin back and forth under my feet when sat at the table - I found it a good way to stimulate and ease achy feet at times.

Playing with play dough to gently exercise achy hands

Warm baths and early nights when I’ve needed to

Standing barefoot on cool grass

Warm winter holidays abroad and being home for our summers

The odd spa day - commercial spa or ‘home done’ - vouchers for the local day spa is the go to present for my birthday and Xmas as they are always delightfully received and used with relish 🍾

Meditation - including the odd weekend at a nearby centre or a 10 day one in Herefordshire (and remember you don’t need to sit crossed legged on the floor to meditate)

Sleep... did I mention shamelessly being in bed by 6pm if knackered and just relaxing with a play on the radio/iplayer until I nod off.

Have the best day you can

All the best

Ali

[Hidden]

Thanks Ali

I might try the rolling pin trick! I love apple sauce too. I make my own with ginger and cinnamon. I add live yogurt plus kefir to mine. Seems to help my gut.

Ooh play dough! Does it still smell the same? Good idea, must get some. Or do you make your own?

Some good things there. Glad you are doing well.

[Gnarli in reply to Hidden]

I have a recipe for a cooked play dough if you want it, Nettienet. Kneading it when it's still quite hot is very soothing for sore hands and leaves them beautifully soft

[Gnarli]

That sounds like a good formula for living for everyone, with or without RA

J

[Mmrr]

what a great post !

[Ali_H]

Some times I make my own and add a drop of rosemary oil or buy and add a drop of oil to that.

I’m convinced the apples are helping re gut health but no proof. I add ginger and cinnamon as well.

The rolling pin thing is supposed to be good for sciatica - I got the idea from the book 7 Years In Tibet where he describes having crippling sciatica and is told by a local to roll something under his foot when sat down. He describes it as being excruciating but over time it worked - strange where we can find our support!!

[Shalf in reply to Ali_H]

Would love to visit Tibet

[Tinatop78]

Thank you, load of great things to try. Lovely attitude too. X

[Ali_H]

Thanks,

I forgot to mention dental care which can be an issue.

I’ve had a slight heart murmur since my teens and know bleeding gums can lead to infections getting in through gums to the blood so I now use a high fluoride toothpaste once a week. It’s called duraphat which is prescription only and if you’ve a private dentist you will pay about £12 for a small tube - luckily you only use a small amount and the tube lasts for ages. I also brush my teeth with turmeric paste once a week (yes you read that correctly!) as it helps with gum inflammation and is a great whitener to boot... it tastes nasty, is slightly astringent and my toothbrush is not a pretty colour but it seems to help (dentist suggested it years ago before RA arrived).

Well I am now off to the NEC wellbeing festival so will catch up later sometime.

Ali

[Shalf in reply to Ali_H]

Been using duraphat for many years. Tumeric paste - Asian shops?

[Ali_H in reply to Shalf]

No turmeric powder from normal shop mixed with a little water does the trick... visit to Tibet would be absolutely fantastic!!

[Shalf in reply to Ali_H]

I hope it doesn't make my teeth look like I've been tango'd 😱

[Ali_H in reply to Shalf]

No just your toothbrush and sink if not careful!

[Shalf in reply to Ali_H]

I will give it a try. Just hope they go back to normal before I visit dentist next week! He always asks how I'm feeling with my RA! Thankfully he has a sense of humour if it does stain 😁

[Ali_H in reply to Shalf]

Be sure to post a pic of those pearly whites in a few mins!!!

[Shalf in reply to Ali_H]

I hope so, it's past Halloween!

[Shalf in reply to Ali_H]

Wouldn't it just! I've got a wooly hat made in Tibet. If I could wear it all year round I would because I love it! Wore it during a trip in Iceland ( not the shop! )

[nomoreheels]

Great post Ali, though you forgot one... sitting under the shade of the willow tree in your garden, the most beautiful pic you shared with us ages ago, still remembered! x

[Shalf]

You got the ball rolling as well as your rolling pin Ali ! Absolutely fab! My favourite is standing barefoot on cool grass! Oooo - yes! X

[Doughnut61]

Thank you x you sound amazing xxx

[keeta]

Ohhh yes it all sounds good to me.

Can.t afford the holidays .but i can dream .you forgot hugs.ha ha

Hugs xxkathyxx

[Jarme]

Ali_H,

Excellent post! Thank You for sharing!!

[Ali_H]

Thank you peeps for being out there and ready to listen... I hadn’t realised just how much I get out of this forum until today

Thanks again 😎