rumatoid arthritis

[bonscot]

my mum(a young at heart 67) has recently been diagnosed with rumatoid arthritis and most of the pain is in her wrists and back of head.    I was wondering what other sufferers found helpful for pain relief and generally coming to terms with this condition?  much obliged!

[Ouisch]

Has your mom seen a rheumatologist yet?  Has she been prescribed any medication for her RA?  Usually the rheumy will prescribe an anti-inflammatory of some sort - Celebrex, Lodine, Voltaren are just a few that are available.  Some over-the-counter remedies such as Alleve or Motrin might also provide some pain relief (if she's not taking any prescription meds for it).  Sometimes moist heat can also help - maybe have mum stand in a steamy hot shower for ten minutes or so.

[MORELLO]

Methotrexate.

[RAYMAN]

try a teaspoon of cider vinager in some warm water plus honey take in the evening before going too bed every day I know someone who swore by it, must give it time to build up in the body.

[Marvin84]

Hypnosis for pain coping will help!

[Scarlett]

Also get one of those copper magnetic bracelets. AMAZINGLY good.

[soulstar11]

Ask to be referred to an Occupational Therapist. They provide all sorts of equipment and strategies which will make everyday tasks easier, and lessen the effects of R.A.

Your local hospital probably has a Hand therapy dept which will also be run by OT's. These are excellent for pain control etc.

You say your Mum's symptoms are in hands and "back of head". Is it just the neck or literally back of head?

Actually on the head is more unusual and could be a linked condition (such as one called Temporal or Giant Cell Arteritis). These aren't anything life threatening, and can be treated really sucessfully with steroids.

As Ouisch suggests, get a referral (from your mum's GP) to a Rheumatologist.

R.A. is a disease that calls for frequent periods of rest - not complete rest -but - you need to balance out activities. Eg if doing half an hopur's ironing or hoovering, break it up into 2 lots of 15 / 3 lots of 10 minutes.

The worst thing that any RA sufferer can do is "work through" pain or fatigue. This is hard for loads of people to accept - especially people of your Mum's generation - for some reason they "don't like to make a fuss"!

 

Finally, have a look on some of the ARC sites (Arthritis Group). They have excellent info on all aspects of living with all types of Arthritic conditions.

Good Luck!