Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I am newly diagnosed, just over two weeks ago. Rheumy says we caught it early. I had been having bouts of palindromic rheumatism for about a year and noticed a change pretty quickly which led to the RA diagnosis.
Rheumy gave me MTX and hydroxychloroquine (along with folic acid ) dmards. He also gave me a Medrol pack of prednisone which helped a lot with swelling and pain. As the prednisone wore off, pain and swelling are coming back, but at this point, thankfully, not as severe as before !
Dr said to take some ibuprofen if needed, but I am trying to tough it out during the day( especially when I have to put the other meds on my stomach) so I am trying to find other ways to help relieve swelling and pain( I do usually break down and take some ibuprofen late afternoon and evening).
I have been wearing 'arthritis gloves' and that seems to help control the swelling a bit along with making things a bit more comfortable when I have to be using them.
They also make 'arthritis socks' . I was wondering of anyone has had experience with them? I am happy to purchase if it will help make my feet a little more comfortable, at least in the short term when I have to be on them.
Thanks!
Rheumy gave me MTX and hydroxychloroquine (along with folic acid ) dmards. He also gave me a Medrol pack of prednisone which helped a lot with swelling and pain. As the prednisone wore off, pain and swelling are coming back, but at this point, thankfully, not as severe as before !
Dr said to take some ibuprofen if needed, but I am trying to tough it out during the day( especially when I have to put the other meds on my stomach) so I am trying to find other ways to help relieve swelling and pain( I do usually break down and take some ibuprofen late afternoon and evening).
I have been wearing 'arthritis gloves' and that seems to help control the swelling a bit along with making things a bit more comfortable when I have to be using them.
They also make 'arthritis socks' . I was wondering of anyone has had experience with them? I am happy to purchase if it will help make my feet a little more comfortable, at least in the short term when I have to be on them.
Thanks!
I have not tried the socks. In fact, didn't know anything about them. Where did you hear about them?
I have found that heat or ice help when I have flares. Sometimes one, and other times, the other. I have one of those microwavable heating pads, and then an ice pack in the freezer. The doctor said to use whichever feels the best, so I do.
I take a combination of MTX and Humira, which right now seems to be holding most of the pain at bay. I haven't had a full fledged flare for several months. (Picture me knocking on wood.) Hopefully, you will find the combo that works for you.
My hobby keeps me in cold places and sometimes standing a lot, so thought the socks inside my Ugg boots might help!
Thanks for your response and info!
I have 2pr of the Imak gloves. The "active" ones are great for work & driving. I have tendinitis in my thumbs and they keep them from getting sore gripping the steering wheel. I wear the smoothe ones for everything else.
Hope you find what you need. And welcome to the board!
Emerald
They should come from Amazon this week, so will try them out at the ice rink next weekend and see how they do.
The gloves help so much with the swelling. Just got home from Father's Day brunch. I didn't wear the gloves ( hard to serve yourself without getting them dirty) and my hands were really starting to swell by the time I got home! Hoping the socks provide a little relief as well as warmth!