Chronic pain is the most painful manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA): an autoimmune inflammatory disease that initially affects the joints of the hands and feet, and with further progression — elbows, knees and ankles. Pain syndrome can persist for months, causing apathy, depression in patients, and even causing thoughts of suicide.
Unfortunately, the treatment of RA does not always bring quick results, and therefore patients suffering from this terrible disease need proven recommendations on how to adapt to such a life and not make irreparable mistakes until the right therapy is selected and the pain finally goes away.
Listing five useful tips on living with chronic pain is the topic of the article presented.
Table of Contents
Reduce Financial Costs
The main analgesic drug that is prescribed for RA is Plaquenil: a powerful anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent. However, its high cost forces some patients to settle for less expensive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are ineffective for joint pain of autoimmune etiology.
A generic version of plaquenil, which on average costs ten times cheaper, will help solve this problem. The chemical composition and nature of the therapeutic effect of the generic are completely identical to the original, and therefore patients can relieve themselves of annoying pain without compromising your budget.
Take Medications Regularly
When it comes to managing rheumatoid arthritis, it is essential to take medications regularly. This is because the inflammation caused by RA can affect various parts of the body, from the joints and bones to tendons and organs. Taking your medication daily helps to keep symptoms under control, making everyday activities more manageable. Plus, sticking to your medication schedule helps improve quality of life for both now and later on down the road. Remember: Medication isn’t something you ever want to ignore or miss!
Sometimes the reason for persistent pain is ridiculously simple: the patient simply does not follow the treatment regimen prescribed to them by the doctor. But it is necessary to show quite a bit of self—discipline – and the pain begins to go away, as if by magic.
Make Friends… With Pain
The intensity of pain in RA depends on a number of factors: weather, nutrition, physical activity, emotional state, etc. It is enough for 1-2 months to record in detail all the situations when the pain syndrome intensified in order to understand what kind of lifestyle you need to lead in order not to provoke the disease.
Therapeutic Exercises
An individually composed complex of therapeutic gymnastics is the best remedy for the progression of RA and, in particular, rheumatic pain. However, such gymnastics does not help immediately. The pain syndrome begins to decrease after 3-4, and sometimes six months of regular classes.
Unfortunately, many patients with RA are too lazy to do gymnastics and focus on pharmacology, which is often not enough.
Seek the Help of a Psychologist
Are you suffering from rheumatoid arthritis? Don’t feel like you have to go through it alone. Seeking assistance in the form of a psychologist or mental health professional can make all the difference. A psychologist can provide tips and techniques aiding in your individual care management, as well as helping manage any potential stress or anxiety. Taking matters into your own hands by understanding your diagnosis and connecting with a psychologist for support, can be instrumental in alleviating pain and managing feelings related to rheumatoid arthritis.
There is a group of patients in whom the intensity of the pain syndrome is objectively small, and the cause of the torment is their obsession with the very fact of pain. Working with a qualified psychologist helps such patients to shift the focus of attention and banal stop noticing pain — at least for most of the day.
Stay Patient
Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be a daily challenge. To best manage the pain brought on by it, being patient is essential. Setting realistic goals and allowing them to happen naturally will make progress easier and reduce strife. Taking small strides will go far — every drop in the bucket adds up! Developing a sound mindset to stay patient means understanding that treatments may take time to work, permit age or symptoms won’t improve overnight, and being completed honoring setbacks as opportunities for learning and personal growth. Learning to possess patience will strengthen you physically, emotionally, and socially to cope with the frustrations of having rheumatoid arthritis.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you once again that chronic pain in RA is curable. Yes, it is not always possible to achieve this quickly, and sometimes the patient has to drink dry the cup of suffering measured out to them by Fate, but one day the pain recedes — and life is filled with happiness and joy again.
The main thing is to believe in success and keep fighting!
