Diagnosed with RA - What can I do?

• Learn more about your diagnosis – do you have OA or RA? Treatments for each type of arthritis is different
• Learn what resources are available to help you manage RA
• Remember there is no cure for arthritis at this time, you have to learn to live with this chronic disease
• “Take an active role”, as a partner, with your physician and health care team, in treating your RA
• Work towards meeting self-management and lifestyle goals. If you can, participate in a self-management program as you will learn strategies to help you live with this chronic condition
• Take your medications as prescribed even when you are feeling better. Different types of arthritis require different types of treatment. People with RA needs to begin on medications urgently to avoid or prevent irreversible joint damage
• Talk to your family doctor if you have concerns about: nutrition, exercise, support groups, stress and depression, sexual/ reproductive health, financial and employment issues (pension and housing) and child care support
• Be aware that for improving management of arthritis, a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies is recommended. Non-pharmacological therapies include: exercise programs, weight loss, education, social support, and aids to daily living (such as braces, splints, wedged insoles, and a cane used in the hand opposite to the affected hip/ knee). Pharmacological therapies include: analgesic and NASAID treatment for arthritis and DMARDS for RA
• Be aware of RA related co-morbidities include: cardiovascular disease, infection, osteoporosis, lymphoproliferatvie malignancy, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure and depression. You should report any emerging problems or concerns to your health care provider9s). Better identification, understanding and management of RA co-morbidities have great potential to improve quality of life and health outcomes
• When family planning, if either partner is taking RA medications, you should seek in-depth counseling from a family physician, rheumatologist or skilled nurse practitioner to assess the impact of RA, medications, management and the supports required to navigate a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. For example, medications such as Methotrexate should be stopped at least three months or more for male patients and for at least one ovulatory cycle for female patients. Women should be aware that RA will not reduce their ability to conceive
• Caring for newborns and small children may face greater challenges associated with parenting including: general function, pain, fatigue, stress and psychological distress. You should seek advice, support and strategies for coping, including utilizing networks with other parents, and access to an occupational therapist for information on energy-saving techniques and joint-protection advice on managing activities of daily living

What treatments are available?

• There is no cure for arthritis at this time. In general, therapy can help to:
  • Relieve symptoms (for example, pain, stiffness and fatigue)
  • Maintain or improve mobility
  • Minimize functional disability and improve physical functioning
• Your doctor can help you to make informed decisions about the types of therapies that might be best for you by weighing the possible risks versus benefits, costs and personal preferences
• When seeking information on alternative therapies, you should ensure that the information you receive are reliable, based on evidence and clear to you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure of the benefits of the alternative therapies that you are contemplating
• There are no tests that are completely reliable to diagnose RA. Tests are primarily used to monitor the disease, exclude other types of arthritis or confirm/support diagnosis during the initial appointment with a specialist and may help in predicting severity. It often takes months to confirm a diagnosis of RA
• Modern medications can control most of the joint inflammation. There is no cure at this time but the impact of RA can be minimized. It is now well recognized that there is a “window of opportunity” early in RA disease process to initiate treatment which will fundamentally change the course of this disease. DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are recommended in every one with active inflammation. DMARD therapy has been proven effective in RA at reducing long-term joint damage and improving physical function. DMARDS are recommended immediately upon diagnosis and consistently throughout the disease course of RA. You should discuss the potential benefits and risks of DMARDs with your doctor and be monitored regularly
• NSAIDS (Non-Steriodal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) provide symptom relief, may improve quality of life and allow increased activity but they do not alter the course of RA
  • If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you should know that NSAIDs help to relieve pain, may improve quality of life and allow increased activity, but these medications do not prevent joint damage
• Your doctor may refer you an arthritis specialist or rheumatologist/ a physiotherapist/ occupational therapist/ dietician/ social worker
• You should be followed-up by your family doctor every 3 – 6 months and by a specialist every 6 – 12 months or sooner depending on the prescribed medication or when there is any change in your health status
• Regular exercise is important. With painful joints, you may need physiotherapy to learn how to exercise inflamed joints safely and stay fit
• An occupational therapist can advise you how to reduce stress to your joints while continuing your daily activities and help you with splints if necessary. You need a referral from your doctor to see an occupational therapist
• Maintaining a healthy diet, controlling weight, reducing stress, stopping smoking, getting proper rest and implementing lifestyle changes that will provide for your optimal health and well being

To download the brochure "Living Well With Rheumatoid Arthritis", click here [1].

Want to know more General Tips for Managing Arthritis, click here [1].

If you need more information on how to Manage a Flare-Up – click here [1]

Learn more General Tips for Managing Arthritis [1]

To know more about RA, here are some Frequently Asked Questions - RA [1]
To know some of the Myths and Facts about RA [1]

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