An estimated 1.5 million Americans have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Many patients with the autoimmune disease experience flare-ups and chronic pain. But talking in the doctor’s office and making lifestyle adjustments can help ease some of the pain and discomfort, says Nick Turkas, senior director of patient education at the Arthritis Foundation.
“I think it’s very common for people with arthritis not to complain,” Turkas said. He emphasizes the importance of discussing it with his doctor.
“If you’re not talking to your doctor about your knee pain or you’re not talking about your hip pain or your finger pain or whatever, you’re missing out on improving your health. And we know that people expect, and expect too”.
Turkas emphasized that untreated rheumatoid arthritis joint pain can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to the development of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. If left untreated or undertreated, RA may require surgery.
Physical therapy and movement programs can help improve pain levels. The Arthritis Foundation offers its “Vim” app to help users improve from being able to stand for 10 minutes to being able to stand for an hour or more. Starting small can have big results.
“If you want to exercise, start in a chair. There are things you can do that way. You can start with, you know, light yoga or light tai chi or things you can do that are modified to be accessible in the beginning and, As you go forward, you can open yourself up to a lot more opportunities,” Turkas said.
Chronic pain can also be the first domino in the cycle of stress and depression, according to Turkas.
Data from the Arthritis Foundation from a recent patient-reported survey noted that people with someone to connect with or talk to regularly were twice as likely to function physically at a higher level than those who said they felt isolated.
Online groups can help rheumatoid arthritis patients connect with one another, especially in groups for particular subsets, such as groups for young adults with RA or newly diagnosed patients, as well as groups for black or Asian patients.
Turkas says that no matter where an RA patient starts with lifestyle pain management, it’s important not to go too fast or start beyond one’s level of ability.
“Goals have to be achievable. If the goal seems too ‘almost in the sky’ or too difficult, that’s the worst thing that can happen to someone with a chronic illness,” Turkas said. “They feel like, well, I can’t do anything. I’m a failure. [small] steps to better manage your health.
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