Dear folks, please help me list some basic helpful hints that we've learned over the years: Like don't plan or promise others too far in advance you may need to change your mind. People think we look okay, so we need to speak up when we need hlep (opening heavy doors, etc. carrying out groceries, etc. Keep your shoes on even in the house (this was good advice from the get-go for me. Shoes, if comfortable give you stability) Try not to stress out yourself and when others around you start freaking try to handle it. Take the meds that work for you, keep trying to adjust what's best. Door knobs are hard to open, pull down door latches are cheap and a big help,but someone needs to install them. Electric can openers are a must to give us the freedom to open/cook/serve ourselves whenever we want. Buy bigger, more comfortable shoes--cast aside vanity for comfort. Be patient with ourselves and others. Try to understand lack of empathy some people don't know how to react. Celebrate your family who care. Get a car with an automatic, the right height off the ground, swing both legs out before getting out. Gentle exercises with the steering wheel limbers up the joints , careful with the swollen ones. Gentle exercise groups, the aRthritis foundation sponsers one in our area by training the leaders/teachers. consistant movement can help. Eat well. Try not to overeat calories if you can't burn them (I've gained 10 lbs since Dec). Read labels for the sodium, fat, carbos on prepared foods. Think positive we are smart, brave, prepared and want to keep our bodies as fit and well as possible!! Don't give up! tomorrow is another day. Learn the RA symptoms, swelling, fever,night sweats(?), fatigue, depression when you hurt/elation when you don't!! Please write me about your cool ideas for living with this stuff! Hurting less
I don't know. That was such a great list. I'll try and think up some more to add. But that's a hard act to follow. Great suggestions.
You mentioned gentle exercise. I think we sometimes far underestimate our abilities to do something for fear of causing pain. Gentle exercise when in a flare..vigorous exercise and strength training when you are not. The number one killer of people with RA is heart disease. Gentle exercise by itself will not keep the ticker in shape.
Hint #2..build a medical team you trust and that can work together. That may include your family dr, rheumatologist, orhtopedic, physical therapist, psychologist etc.
Buckeye,
Great suggestion about a medical team that you can trust. That is so true and so very necessary.
The only thing I have to add: I usually have a clothes basket handy to put stuff in and take it to other rooms so I don't have to make a bunch of trips.
The other thing I have learned...plan, plan, plan and plan.
Lori Scissors and butter knifes can open ANYTHING. I'm so serious.
If stuff doesn't get put away...well.....it just doesn't get put away. If the living room doesn't get vaccumed....it doesn't get vaccumed.
If I think of anything useful...I'll add it...Hahah I always come up with the silly ones. *dances* Really great advice. Don't lift that heavy thing... slide it, push it, or drag it. (If you have fine flooring invest in some sliders to slip under objects which may scar your flooring.) My lap top bag has wheels, my luggage has wheels, I have a fold up plastic cart on wheels for shopping. My DH made a slant board for the truck of the car which allows me to pull stuff out of the trunk (like brief case and shopping cart) instead of lifting them over the lip of the trunk - it is at a rotten level for my elbows. Use your head to solve problems so you don't need so much brawn. Awww... pin cushion.... I am glad you were able to laugh about it later. I would have cried too and just crawled back in bed and stayed there for the rest of the day. I use to love to bake, but then there came a point when it became much harder to do, like opening the oven door, getting the pan in and out of the oven (have messed up right wrist it does not bend at all and is very weak), keeping control of the hand mixer, and just the plain frustration of not having it go right. 2)I use scissors a lot in my work - cutting out shears to be precise - so I replaced them with spring loaded ones. Now I only have to do the squeezing closed bit, they open themselves so that cuts the strain by half. I definitely recommend them for anyone who does crafts, dressmaking etc. 3)I had some plastic levers which fit over taps (faucets?) making them easier to turn on. Now here's a funny thing......you get a blue one and a red one because having RA also makes you forget which is the hot tap
4)Use a jug to fill the kettle 5)I was given some cooking 'baskets' for boiling veg, they're like chip 'baskets'. You can lift them out of the pan, saving lifting the pan with water and struggling with a colandar (sp?) I use a three tier steamer for the same strain saving. 6) Girls, don't stuff everything bar the kitchen sink into your bag (purse) keep it minimal. One of my first discoveries was how painful it was delving into my bag at the check - and how impatient some folk can been, I'm afraid I had a go at one stroppy git once
7) don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry to be taking so long, I have arthritis" and just make the beggars wait
Tinker - points 7 and 8 I can really identify with!! Not only does the rest of the queue glare at me but the checkout person too - and they will all just stand there and watch you struggle with your bags etc. Grrr..... Sorry not overly helpful! I guess the most helpful hint I know is ask for help when you need it. Whether or not you take on board the hint is debatable - I'm well known for not asking for help! I know my hint will get some of you into hot water. So I'm going to tell you first to record all purchases in your check resgister so you don't over spend, but I no longer write checks. I hand them a credit card. The record in my check register has no check number by it so I know which is what! WHY? It eliminates all that digging around for a pen and having to try to free my drivers license from my wallet. Both of which hurt my wrists - too much when your feet are already killing you.
PILLS, IDENTIFY THEM! Better on the pill container!! THIS morning I think I took 3 lasix (diuretics) instead of my PREDNISONE! The containers are the same and the pills are the same except lasix is slightly smaller!! I took more prednisone just in case???Honestly, I didn't think I'd ever confuse the two. Please continue with more suggestions for an easier life. Dear Readers, please tell those you know about this and any other forum you think might help them!! I can't tell you how valuable it has been to be able to ask questions (no matter how trivial sounding) and to have immediate, compassionate, informative answers. You have been great at sharing your experiences with this disease and the many treatments, drugs available. Not all of the doctors use the same methods to help us and it is great to hear different experiences. I gave this to an friend the other day and she was thrilled to know there was 'some more people' out there that know how she feels. Please keep sending on your suggestions. Hurting less, and enjoying the forum! Thanks all. Alleries to medications: Several people wrote in on another post about this. Antibiotics,our own RA meds and someone is allergic to the generic version of a PILL!!? INTERESTING INFORMATION. This all gets so complicated with so many different drugs around. ( I was told MTX does not GIVE you flare-ups, by the way, so what ws that I had after taking it last week?Pain, stiffness, swelling) I'm taking it today and will let you all know! Everyday is a challenge! Stay well all!!
Get comedy DVD's and CD's, my husband got me a multi disc Prairie Home Companion that is just jokes from the show for Christmas. I really had to wonder what he was thinking because I can't stand Garrison Keillor, but those CD's always put me in a good mood and I don't have to watch him. He also got me Season 1 of Friends, some days all I really feel like doing is sitting and laughing.READ everything you can get your hands on that relates to RA. I'm reading a book at the moment, just started actually, called Rheumatoid Arthritis Plan to Win . I'll let you know what its like when I finish, maybe even a book review.
Kami and Roxy are the queens of that........LOL
I thought I would try to do something today as the sun is shining again.Gardening was out of the question so baking a cake was my challenge.I wish I had batteries in my digi -camera as its really hillarious. Theres nothing much about baking banana bread, chuck it all in a whizz it with the mixer.Well it was going great until the whizzing it with the mixer. I cant hold my hand held one anymore but my other mixer was at the back of the cupboard so i thought i'd give it a go. to see if the have a mail in service for your prescriptions. A lot of time it is cheaper and it saves you a trip to your drugstore!!!
Oh, just thought of another one. My hands and wrists are terrible and typing HURTS. I found a very, very small keyboard that is sooo much easier on my hands. If anyone is interested, I can try and find a link for it, I think it was or but it helps a lot!! Takes a bit of getting used to and everyone comments about the tiny keyboard on my desk but I think its great!
"Fatigue is one of the biggest symptoms/side effects of RA. Often times
it just feels like there's nothing you can do about it. You feel
drained, exhausted, pooped - just plain worn out! We all have our
little things that we do to help, get more sleep, take little breaks,
etc. But let's hear the top 10 ways doctors recommend "battling The Big
F".
1. - Increase your Magnesium Intake.**(please see footnotes regarding Magnesium)
Low amounts of magnesium cause a higher heart rate and quicker use of
oxygen, causing you to feel more tired, faster. The "normal" amount of
magnesium for women is 300mg, for men 350mg. Some foods that are rich
in magnesium are fish, whole grains, almonds, hazelnuts, and cashews.
And don't worry about the nuts being high in fat, you can literally eat
just a handful to get your required magnesium intake.
2. - Take a walk. A 10 minute walk, to be exact. A quick jaunt around the block can boost your energy for up to two hours. After one week of daily 10 minute walks, your energy level should be increased through out your day.
3. - Take a Power nap.
A 60 minute power nap leaves you refreshed and ready to start again. Be
sure you sleep as close to 60 minutes as possible. No 30 minute or 45
minute naps. The reason being that you want your body to go through REM
sleep, so you get the full effects of REST.
4. - Don't skip breakfast.
Or any other meal for that matter. This one is sort of a no-brainer,
but that doesn't mean we don't do it. Food is fuel and skipping a meal
can drain you fast.
5. - Reduce your stress and face your anger.
High emotions like anger use energy. Harboring these emotions uses even
more energy, so you want to be sure you're facing your emotions head
on. This doesn't mean you have to go blow up somewhere. Just figure out
what works for you to release the tension and stress. Scream, write,
listen to music, soak in the tub, whatever works for you.
6. - More water, less alcohol.
Thirst can actually mimic fatigue, and the general population does not
know how to recognize mild dehydration. So before you go for that
snack, or that nap, drink 8oz of nice cool water and wait a few minutes
to see if it helps. Alcohol is okay in moderation, but be sure to skip
it before bed. While it may help you fall asleep, it reduces your
ability to enter REM sleep - that's the sleep that actually gets you
REST.
7. - Less sugar, more Whole Grains.
Seems like a big fat DUH, right? What you're shooting for here is a
balanced blood sugar level. Sugar causes a nice boost in energy, but it
also creates a hard crash once your body has used it up. Whole grains
are a slow release and will provide you with energy for hours after you
eat them.
8. - Have a "power snack".
This isn't any old snack. Try something like a granola bar or yogurt.
Anything that's rich in proteins, fats, and fiber. The carbs are a
great pick-me-up; the fats are a regular energy boost; and proteins up
your energy even more. Just be sure you're not over-indulging.
9. - Make mine a Latte.
Instead of your regular coffee/caffeine boost, try a Latte - with
low-fat milk that is. The amount of milk included in a Latte turns this
coffee treat into a protein, calcium, and caffeine laden wonderland.
Add your handful or cashews/almonds/hazelnuts and you have yourself a
sweet treat. Just remember...one handful, one cup!
10. - Double check your thyroid function and blood cell count.
This one should be fairly easy for us to do, you can probably request
the checks at your next Rheumy appointment. Thyroid problems are
auto-immune disorders as well, so we're already prone to them. In
women, these tend to show up shortly after childbirth and during the
first stages of pre-menopause. Anemia is another culprit, as fewer
blood cells means less oxygen where you need it.
These are just
10 easy ways to fight the fatigue, and I'm sure everyone out there has
their own way. So why not drop us a comment and let us know how YOU
"battle The Big F".
Have a FATIGUE free day!
Katie
**Magnesium
and Potassium have been noted to be considerably low in patients with
FM. Since this is such a sister disease to RA, I thought I should
include a little more information. While it is not scientifically
PROVEN you can quite easily find articles online and in books about
this connection. Doctors are not quite as fast to give patients
supplements however, because excess magnesium and potassium are
actually difficult for your body to handle. I do however believe it is
something worth talking about with your Doctor. In the mean time, if
you chose to supplement these on your own, please be aware of the
strain you will be putting on your organs if you do take too much. It
might be best to sit down and try to at least guesstimate how much
magnesium and potassium you already intake in a day, before adding
supplement pills. Adding foods that are rich in these two minerals is
much easier on your body than taking these supplements alone. So reach
for a banana and a handful of mixed nuts each day, and then talk to
your doctor about the effects of low magnesium and potassium in your
life.
Thank you to WebMD for the list, Shape magazine for additional information, and my own personal freakin know how! LOL"
Here is the link to the keyboard I have. This isn't the site I ordered it from but its the same model! http://www.directron.com/psk3100u.html
I prefer ice for headaches and migraines and heat for the rest of me! I have 4 over sized heating pads that I wrap each hand and foot in when I get home from work!
thanks every one, keep um commin'
Hint #1: I use elastic shoestrings in my shoes. They stay tied and I can slip my shoes on and off with ease.
Hint#@: I wear a large apron whenever I'm into the cleaning routine. It keeps a lot of things handy.
Hint #3: I also use the umbrella stroller we keep on hand for the small ones of the family to move stacks of this and that and whatever when I'm straightening the house up a bit.
Hint #4: I purchased a couple of laundry baskets which are indented/curved on the sides with slightly elevated handles. They are easier to carry as they conform better to my body.
Hint #5: I tied a rope onto the end of one the laundry baskets. It's easier to pull the laundry basket up the steps (washer/dryer are in the lower level) as opposed to carrying the basket up the steps.
Hint #6: I now use an electric toothbrush.
Hint #7: I loosely filled a couple of tube socks with rice and stitched the ends closed. Place them in the microwave for about two minutes.
Hint #8: For moist heat place a wet cloth in a large zippered plastic bag; wrap the bag in another wet cloth; and microwave for two minutes. Provides about 20 minutes of heat.
Hint #9: Come spring I'll be outside working in my flower beds and our church flower beds/planters. Several years ago I purchased garden tools that you can extend to the length that works best for you. Certainly saves on the back and the hands.
Hint #10: My sweetest of husbands replaced all of our double faucets with single faucets with the handle you push from side to side/up or down. He even did this with the shower. Like I say he's the sweetest of the sweetest.
helpful hint-------rememebr to enjoy your pain free day
whenever i have one i swing my arms and legs and walk carefree.... and smile at everyone who comes my way..just to show the appreciation for the day.....
cheers!!!!
I use a brand of shampoo that comes in a thin bottle with a flip-up cap that's painful both to open and squeeze when my hands are particularly painful.Continuously taking the forever living herb, Wild Lingzhi, I do not need meds and worry about side effects!
From historical records, Wild Lingzhi can stay for hundreds even thousand of years. I have kept a few for over twenty years. No need water but each time I bring out to the sun they turn radiant and give out soothing aroma! FOREVER LIVING FUGUS.
When should we take the multiple pills? One person asks? I take Prednisone every morning, it makes me feel good and energized, if that is the day for MTX I take it at NOON, What do other's suggest? Please read sophistablack's most recent post on seeking help from a 'shrink' , very informative. Thanks,It is foggy here, YeS fog on the California Coast! , I was really stiff, but after a warm bath I feel MUCH better. A hint if you are stiff sometimes a nice shower/bath can do a little good. Not hurtingTake the MTX with Remicade, if your doctor wants you to, as it helps the Rem work, better!These pages can be printed out, please see Helpful hints getting lost and how to create a hard copy to save.Just bumping this for new membersi found two very helpful things in my kitchen are a step ladder to reach things in overhead cupboards and a stool to sit on while cooking, doing dishes, ironing etc etcI found out that the most usefull card in my pocket is one I made on cp, It has a list of all my meds. on it, on the back it has Doctors name and my home phone #. any time I go to new doc. or Er. I alway have it ready. On my husband's i put his meds. plus my name, home and cell #. our address. He's getting very forgetfull and get lost some times. We have use the cards many times. Just be sure to update them when you need to.
Ps. carry it with your drivers license, in case something happen where you can't answer ?.