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What To Have On Hand In Case Of Flare Up
What To Have On Hand In Case Of Flare Up
Hello all
I am newly diagnosed with RA and have lots to learn. I thank all of you on this network for sharing your experiences. It's very kind. I like to travel and even though Covid has prevented that for some time, I am curious as to what one should have on hand in the event of a flare up while away from home. Are there pain medications that I should be asking for from my doctor? At this time, I don't feel that anything over the counter would be of much help
I appreciate any advice.
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A myRAteam Member said:
I know a lot of people are against taking prednisone (steroid), but it is an extremely effective pain reliever/anti-inflammatory for RA. I take 2.5 mg of prednisone daily, in addition to my methotrexate, and between the two, they keep me relatively pain free. I accept the side effects of the low dose I take (mostly thin and easily bruised skin), because it makes me feel so much better. If you don't want to be on a maintenance dose, it's also good to just have a taper-down dose pack with you for emergency flares if you are on a trip. I also supplement daily with ginger, turmeric, and fish oil - all anti-inflammatories. Basically, we all have to figure out over time what works best for us.
posted 6 days ago
A myRAteam Member said:
Diclofenac gel (sold as Voltaren over the counter) really does help. Heating pads are worth their weight in gold. And of course, don't forget your meds.
posted 6 days ago
A myRAteam Member said:
Hi MelOrama, Thank you for your response. Yes, the more I read and look at peoples stories there obviously is not a " one size fits all" approach to RA. The experiences of real people mean much more than most of the sites that end up being a sales pitch for something.
I am sorry about your experience and frustrations with one of your doctors. That most certainly does not help matters. All we can do is have faith in the universe and take life a day at a time. Easier said than done but stressing ourselves only hurts us.
Thank you again and I hope you enjoy your day.
posted 8 days ago
A myRAteam Member said:
Number 1 - You need a rheumatologist.
Number 2 - You need drugs to stop the progress of RA - not pain relievers. Number 3 - Treat yourself to a hot wax system. You dip your hand in the hot wax, wrap it in a plastic bag, then a towel. The heat penetrates into the hand - making it feel marvelous. Sometimes hot water works too.
Number 4 - I went to a hand PT person and she had me alternate dipping my hands in hot then cold water. That made no sense when she asked me to do it but it got the blood flowing and there was pain relief. As you learn to live with your RA, you will find other things that help with pain.
Hope this helps!
posted 9 days ago
A myRAteam Member said:
I'm glad you are here! There are a lot of great people to share with. It's a wonderful, supportive group 🙂.
posted 8 days ago
