Comments on: Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint Protection

By: NicolePoyer

NicolePoyer — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:50:56 +0000

Wow! I have to say that this was an eye opener 4 me. I have always been a bit of an ‘Ignore it yo’ll B fine’ kind of person. I’ve been in pain of one kind or another since childhood. My family never took it seriously, neither did I. I would deliberately ignore the pain as if I had to prove I wasn’t a wuss. Even now that I am more aware, I still feel that I should not ‘give in’ or ‘let IT win’. I have to re-adjust my whole mindset now. My brother-in-law has this saying “Be good and gentle with yourself.” Maybe that is a mantra we should ALL adopt.

Take Care people

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:37:54 +0000

Dear Judith,
I’ve been out of town all week so I hope that even thoough this is delayed, you’ll see my reply. I understand your fears & most of us have had them. None of us wanted to be a “pill person” and I havent ever had that cortisone shot either. This disease is actually much more to be afraid of though. It is aggressive & there are not always symptoms of what it’s doing to our vital organs so for me, I’ve decided to take the treatments even though it was a hard choice. I’d like to give you a couple of links to some things that I’ve written in case it helps you as you think about it. This is obviously very close to my heart. The RA is damaging our hearts & doctors are looking for a way to extend our lives as well as improve them. click here .

By: JUDITH

JUDITH — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:43:39 +0000

hi Kelly
I have had RA since i was 30. i am now 48 and over the last 5-6 years it has gotton really bad….i have had chrotisone shots, which are so far very helpful…recently i had a knucle repacement on my right had and had my finger straightened, and i cannot believe the difference in the way it looks…having a permanent bent finger for 10 years to having a straight finger is remarkable..for the past 2 weeks my right shoulder has been flared up quite badly where i am having problems dressing, i tried to see my ra dr..they told me that the next available appt is feb 8th, wow do they actually care?? since i called and tried to get in for that shoulder, things have gotton worse, my left shoulder and right wrist is also flared up and i can barely sleep. is there anything i can do that might ease the pain till i am able to see someone…to tell u the truth i am really scared to take the ra drugs they have out there, because the the other damage they can do to your kidneys or liver…i am just so lost as to figure out what to do…i am not a pill person. do u have any suggestions

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:43:26 +0000

Dear Stephanie – I’m sorry your finger flared. There’s no way to know for sure if it was caused by your activity or if it would have happened anyway. I do agree if RA is active in a joint, using it can make it worse in my experience. I like heat a lot, but with swelling, many people do ice. Why don’t you try both and see what makes it feel better? I don’t know when you see the rheum doc again, but she should know if you have new joints being affected.

I love how you said, “because after all I look healthy and normal!” Yes, that can be tricky sometimes.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:31:33 +0000

Kelly, I am the Ra’er who aches all the time. Negative ra factor. Swollen knuckles on hands. I am getting used to the aches and just move on.. but yesterday my left and knuckles swelled along with my first finger. I couldn’t type, write or roll down my car window. It was very painful. What do you do when this happens. I being a RA Warrior, am sure I over did things on the weekends. Because after all I look healthy and normal!! I only take methotrexate. I wasn’t due to take my dosage of that for 2 more days. Do you use heat, or ice. How long does it last. ??? So on a small scale, Kelly, I understand your pain a little better…Thanks for letting me have a place to vent!
Warmly,Stephanie

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:51:41 +0000

What a great and useful article… I’ve had JRA/RA & OA for 47 years and did not know some of this. Thanks, Kelly!

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By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:14:18 +0000

Kelly, Thanks this has been most helpful as I’ve all but quit driving because it’s too hard to turn the key! Today I invest in a larger key and I’ll bubble wrap it as I do most other things. “On the road again…”

Karla, I’m 49 also and it’s really hard at times, you think your life is over but it’s not. I went to a medical supply store and got some gloves that are made of neoprene and go to the tips of my fingers. Because of their thickness they protect my joints when I sew or write, my passions, you can A)Put a sponge curler onto your crochet hooks or B)Wrap them in Bubble Wrap until they are a comfortable size. When I write I always write in longhand w/a pencil first, I wear my gloves and wrist braces and my pencil has either a pink sponge roller or Bubble Wrap on it. What a sight it is to be sure but, at least I’m doing what makes the rest of my pain a little easier not to think of. I hope this helps you continue doing what you enjoy! God’s Blessings!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:10:08 +0000

Oh NO! Karla, don’t quit!
Ignorance is not bliss at all! We just need to make adjustments. There may be a better way to hold the needle, or sometimes do things in smaller bites (which you’ve already told me you do…), or just give the joints a complete break if they are in flare…
It just depends upon which joint & how badly the particular motion is for it. The balance (as you said) is doing things we need & love to do without injuring ourselves in the long term.

By: Karla

Karla — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:43:00 +0000

This is the kind of reminder that makes me want to hide away from RA sites like yours, Kelly. After all, there is the old adage that “ignorance is bliss.”

I’ve been having a flare for the last 3-4 days in the joints in my fingers. I know that I caused it by doing too much crochet. And, after reading your post, it sounds like I’d be better off to just give up my crochet now before it does permanent damage.

Except, I love what I’m doing. When everything else hurts and I just want to cry from frustration, I can always pull out my hook and yarn and make something.

People with RA are always in a balancing act, I know. But today the balancing is just making me angry. It’s like a sick Catch-22 where the things that give me strength to get through the worst RA symptoms are also the most damaging in and of themselves. :curse: