If you have just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis then you are probably feeling fairly overwhelmed and confused.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a well documented illness and it is easy to sink in the vast amount of information out there. Here are three simple tips which I hope will help you to find your starting point.
1. No two patients are ever the same. It is important to remember that you are an individual – you were before you had rheumatoid arthritis and you still are. Your reaction to treatments will be different from other peoples and as hard as it is you must try not to compare your self and your progress with others.
2. The Importance of understanding pain management. There are a lot of side affects to living with pain. There are physical side affects such as stiffness and cramps as you try to compensate for the pain. However, there are also emotional side affects, you may become more easily upset, or more aggressive or even simply appear irrational at times. Although these are not life threatening side affects, they ill certainly affect your quality of life. Pain management is about finding the correct balance for you.
3. Physical changes – there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but that does not mean that you will see your body change as per a text book description. There are medications and lifestyle changes which will affect how your body handles the arthritis. It is important to understand the overall picture of your health, but it is most important to deal with each aspect separately and not to get overwhelmed.
Quality of life should be your most important consideration. Living with an illness does not mean that you give up living – but you will probably have to make quite a few changes to keep yourself on track.
You are not an island and you cannot stand alone. Take on board what other people say, but don’t think that you have to follow their advice. You should always feel comfortable with decisions about your treatments. Doubt and scepticism do not often lead to success.
Remember,a good way to stay positive is to surround yourself with positive people
