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. Pain management - whatever your belief on pain relief and medication, it is essential that you understand the reasons for pain relief. You may be able to cope with the pain, but if you are using all your energies to handle your pain your quality of life will be suffering. Living with pain can cause a sufferer to become emotional and even irrational; this will put extreme pressure on both yourself and those around you. Pain can affect your life in many different ways, consider these when you choose your pain management.
3. Dealing with physical change. It is inevitable that your body will go through changes with rheumatoid arthritis, but no one can predict how and when these will happen. Each physical change will need to be reviewed and the consequences understood. Living with rheumatoid arthritis is not about waiting for the next stage - this is the wrong mindset and an important pitfall to avoid.
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.
Taking advice from other people is important, but it is most important to be sure of your actions and believe in what you are doing. If you are unsure of something then it is not likely to be successful.
Remember, a negative environment breeds negativity, so surround yourself with positive people.
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. Pain management - whatever your belief on pain relief and medication, it is essential that you understand the reasons for pain relief. You may be able to cope with the pain, but if you are using all your energies to handle your pain your quality of life will be suffering. Living with pain can cause a sufferer to become emotional and even irrational; this will put extreme pressure on both yourself and those around you. Pain can affect your life in many different ways, consider these when you choose your pain management.
3. Dealing with physical change. It is inevitable that your body will go through changes with rheumatoid arthritis, but no one can predict how and when these will happen. Each physical change will need to be reviewed and the consequences understood. Living with rheumatoid arthritis is not about waiting for the next stage - this is the wrong mindset and an important pitfall to avoid.
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.
Taking advice from other people is important, but it is most important to be sure of your actions and believe in what you are doing. If you are unsure of something then it is not likely to be successful.
Remember, a negative environment breeds negativity, so surround yourself with positive people.
About the Author:
Learn more Information On Arthritis. If you want to learn more about living with arthritis visit http://www.arthritis-wellbeing.com
