I suggest using a Sonic Care tooth brush and flossing daily. Our teeth take a beating and we can suffer from gum disease and tooth decay if we aren't careful. Also, use a flouride rinse every night before bed.

hmm...well I think the most helpfull thing is "not making promises or plans to go or do things, just in case you have to let others down. also have a car with cruise control if possable in long drives. buying all the easier tools for cooking and cleaning to save on your energy. okay thats enough.

I agree with both of you!! Only I use Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste for dry mouth since I have Sjogrens and my dentist has me on a strong toothpaste for anamel called Prevident 500 I think.

And yes a good idea to make tentative plans up until time to go...and a house cleaning service would be nice but unfornutately not in our budget :) (just kidding never used one but I know some people that do).Wishful thinking on my part :)

I would say not to stay out in the sun too much and wear sunscreen. Also go to a grocery store that bags your groceries...I realized yesterday that that's probably what caused my wrists to hurt...picking up the bags of groceries and putting them in the cart...then in the car and then unloading them at home:)

-Always ask for the easy-to-open pill jars at the pharmacy.
-If you've got pill that come blister-packed, pop them all out and put them in an old pill jar when you're having a good day, so swollen hands won't have to try and get that awful foil open.
-big pens, or pens with grips are easier to hold than little tiny ones.
-swishing malox/mylanta like mouthwash helps numb canker sores. (I seem to get canker sores for weeks these days)

I learned from someone on here keep cleaning supplies in every room, this was a super idea. I have clorox wipes in kitchen and bathroom. These immune diseases have made me a germ freak. Of course you can't tell by looking in my home.lol Also, scissors are a wonderful kitchen item. Don't struggle with cereal bags just to prove you can.lol

An, one touch can opener, Can u lift the pot after it is full, or will half full work just as well?
Being able to apologize after i have been a real crank, because i am hurting . Easier said then done at least for me some days.

I know some like heat on their swollen RA flare but not me. I live gel ice packs. Having a bad ankle day so I have my gel packs on each ankle. I wrap them up in a thin dishtowel.

So many good ones!

Cook something healthy in the crockpot once a week. Freeze meal size amounts in plastic containers. Then, when you come home exhausted, or stayed home that way, you can have a quick meal from the microwave. Wholesome food is important and a good soup, stew or casserole beats the heck out of a TV dinner or sandwich.

When I feel well enough to grill outdoors I grill enough burgers, chicken, steaks (whatever that menu is) for a number of meals. It doesn't take much longer or more effort. I then portion into meal size packages and freeze. Gives the grilled taste later on not so good days.
When we have help we bake a turkey, big one, especially if family is over. Again I portion and freeze meal size amounts to have later including gravy. Some days when RA is visiting and not leaving just taking bread, turkey and gravy to the microwave makes a comfort meal. Not exactly food channel material but hot and satisfying is good on those days. Don't forget to have some vegetables also!

Bcatz - awsome advice! For those who remember my past posts, I'm going through a whole lot of dental work thanks to a combination of my braces as a teen, and the RA. Every tooth on top is being pulled, and let me tell you, it's no walk in the park. So please, please, please, take care of the teethies! I wish I had known just how much havoc the dry mouth could reap.

LOL.. so far, everything I would say is already been posted.

One thing that I've learned over the years however, is to disect your day. If you've made it only a few hours before the beast hits, look at what all is left to accomplish, and weed some things out. There's bound to be a few things that can wait, and as we all know, pushing ourselves never ends well.

-Tanya

RAguy, Cooking more and freezing portions is great advice. On those difficult days, it's reassuring knowing that all you have to do is pop your meal in the micro.

I am learning to say "no" to workplace requests for additional committees or additional responsibilities. It's not always easy - especially for an "overachiever," Type A personality.

I have a voice dictation program on my home computer - will need to practice more so it is more accurate. Good for those days when it is too difficult to type.

A very important thing - educate yourself on your condition(s). The doctors aren't always up on the latest things, or perhaps your comment/question makes the Dr. consider other possibilities. Educating yourself also makes you feel more in control, and not a helpless victim at the mercy of the Dr. I am working on being a bit more assertive at the Drs - that the current treatment is not working, or that even though it's only a little swollen, the pain is quite intense. If you talk educated, they may listen a bit more - especially as a female. I just hate it when Drs dismiss things as "women stuff."

A heating pad and an electric blanket especially if you have Raynauds and RA. Even with the AC on it comes in handy!

Here's my list:
Biotene GEL for dry mouth (along with careful brushing and flossing, and biotene mouthwash)
Sleeping on a heating blanket (not pad, the cord on those baother me), covering up with my favorite comfortor, and directing an oscillating fan at my torso, to keep too much heat from being retained in the blanket
Braces, braces, braces, on bad days
Good shoes
Talking to the people here, who understand
Anti-depressant and anxiety meds

i total agree with all the other suggetions, especially the one about educating yourself. No one is as concerned about your condition and symptoms as you are, so you have to be your own advocate

Oh, one other thing, win the lotto so I can hire a cleaning lady!!!!!

I had to go back and look, because I forgot, but those blister packs can be cut with scissors and then opened. This is easier for me.
!@#$%&*( whoever invented blister packs!

And one other suggestion, write notes to yourself, cause my memory is iffy at best :)