Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, reduced mobility and physical weakness. General tiredness, trouble sleeping and exhaustion are other common symptoms. All of these symptoms can greatly affect your everyday life and overall wellbeing.
Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn't always easy. One reason is because it's often difficult to predict the symptoms: They may get better or worse the next day – it's hard to know in advance. Having a "bad" day can be very difficult and make some people feel like they have fallen down into a deep dark hole. This can be made worse by worries about the future because it's so difficult to predict how the condition might develop in each person. But various treatments can stop the condition from getting worse or slow it down.
It's common to have stiff and painful joints in the morning, making it difficult to get up and start the day. Everyday chores like cooking, laundry, cleaning, garden work and recreational activities can become a challenge as the disease progresses.
But many people develop strategies to better manage daily activities over time. One example: When you do laundry, you don't necessarily need to hang up the entire load all at once. You could start with only some of the wet, heavy clothes and then finish the rest later on. There are a number of different devices and aids that can help make it easier.
Most people who have rheumatoid arthritis still want to mainly manage on their own in everyday life despite having the condition. Support from family and friends is then especially important. It's also important for them to have a good understanding of the condition and the associated limitations it can cause.
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I struggle with my pain and stiffness daily. The worst in the morning some days I can't get out of bed. And opening little things like Ziploc bags or chip bags are the worse for me. I wish there was easier utensils to use to eat with cause it's hard to use them too.
What are your biggest daily challenges while living with RA?https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-rheumatoid-arthritis/what-are-your-biggest-struggles-in-living-with-ra-42023-03-13 00:21:38
Scnags
09/21/2023 at 8:32 PM
Scnags
Last activity on 02/28/2023 at 11:56 PM
Joined in 2023
2 comments posted | 2 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group
Like today just doing anything. I was going to do laundry but I feel like I’m going to go down every time I go to get up. I moved 3 mos. ago and it just really took a lot out of me. I lived at the other place for 29 yrs and we had new management and the new owners were Slum Lords. In 3 yrs it went down hill really fast so I wanted to get out of there along with many others. It was a senior complex and I loved it there for 26 yrs, and I love where I moved. But the move sure drained me. I think I’m doing ok and then it hits me again. But I just turned 73 this last weekend and I have noticed my body change in a lot, which is so upsetting. I’m not sure if it’s me getting older or the RA changing my body or the combination
What are your biggest daily challenges while living with RA?https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-rheumatoid-arthritis/what-are-your-biggest-struggles-in-living-with-ra-42023-09-21 20:32:50
Lee__R
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Lee__R
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Last activity on 04/03/2020 at 5:04 PM
Joined in 2018
1,336 comments posted | 44 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group
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EVERYDAY LIFE WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, reduced mobility and physical weakness. General tiredness, trouble sleeping and exhaustion are other common symptoms. All of these symptoms can greatly affect your everyday life and overall wellbeing.
Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn't always easy. One reason is because it's often difficult to predict the symptoms: They may get better or worse the next day – it's hard to know in advance. Having a "bad" day can be very difficult and make some people feel like they have fallen down into a deep dark hole. This can be made worse by worries about the future because it's so difficult to predict how the condition might develop in each person. But various treatments can stop the condition from getting worse or slow it down.
It's common to have stiff and painful joints in the morning, making it difficult to get up and start the day. Everyday chores like cooking, laundry, cleaning, garden work and recreational activities can become a challenge as the disease progresses.
But many people develop strategies to better manage daily activities over time. One example: When you do laundry, you don't necessarily need to hang up the entire load all at once. You could start with only some of the wet, heavy clothes and then finish the rest later on. There are a number of different devices and aids that can help make it easier.
Most people who have rheumatoid arthritis still want to mainly manage on their own in everyday life despite having the condition. Support from family and friends is then especially important. It's also important for them to have a good understanding of the condition and the associated limitations it can cause.
[This content has been moderated by an administrator]