My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that often results in chronic, widespread pain. The joint efforts of various members of your healthcare team can improve chronic pain and physical functioning.
Tackle Inadequate Treatment
Although effective treatment may not alleviate all RA pain, it can reduce the amount of pain you experience each day, potentially delay or prevent disease progression, and minimize disability. If your current medication regimen does not improve your symptoms after three to six months of consistent use, you likely need an adjustment in your treatment or to try something different. One of the challenges with treatments for RA is some are expensive and may not be approved by insurance. If you have tried various combination of disease-modifying anti-rheumatics with little to no improvement and you cannot try a biologic due to the expense, look into other resources. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to have a reduced co-payment offered through pharmaceutical manufacturers. In the case of the uninsured, assistance programs might be available to reduce or eliminate the cost of the medication.
Consider Physical Therapy
If you have not participated in physical therapy, there may be some pain-reduction benefits to regular visits with a physical therapist. The idea of physical therapy can be intimidating, especially since many people with RA have difficulties with day-to-day tasks due to pain and functional limitations. Sometimes simple, consistent exercises prescribed by a physical therapist can reduce pain over the long-term. Being sedentary due to pain and limitations, combined with damage to the joints and soft tissues from the disease can lead to muscle wasting and laxity in the joints. Although the RA specifically targets the joints, when the supporting structures are damaged or lax, this can lead to excess motion of the joint and make pain worse. Strengthening the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joint might make it easier to manage pain, especially when combined with your treatment plan.
Speak With A Pain Management Specialist
Many doctors are apprehensive or even avoid prescribing pain medications due to rising concerns about addiction. Unfortunately, this can leave many people with chronic pain with little to no pain control. Asking for a referral to a pain management specialist might give you more options to manage pain. Every pain management setting is different in their rules regarding pain medication. If they will prescribe pain medication, they usually require an extensive contract that includes random drug screenings. Receiving pain medication from another medical setting may be considered violation of your contract, unless it is an emergency situation and they are contacted. As part of pain management, you might also be required to participate in other treatment approaches, such as therapy, non-narcotic medications for pain, and/or alternative treatments.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect combination of treatments that will improve RA-related pain. Trying a combination of approaches will give you the best chance at reducing pain and disability. For more information, contact establishments like Regional Pain Care.
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