pain management

If you’ve noticed that your RA symptoms are impacted by the seasons (we hear you!), which season causes the most ruckus for you? How do you cope with the fluctuations? Respond with the emoji that best matches your lived experience below.

❄️ Winter
🌷 Spring
🌞 Summer
🍂 Fall

#RheumatoidArthritis #Pain #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth

There are many lab tests your doctor can perform to diagnose and track the progression of your rheumatoid arthritis, including blood tests and imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds. But sometimes it can be challenging (or feel impossible!) to understand your lab test results even when your doctor walks through them with you, leaving you feeling confused or frustrated.

What do you find most challenging? Share your experiences or tips with us in the comments below. ⬇️

#RheumatoidArthritis #ChronicPain #Pain #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth

What triggers flare-ups and symptoms is different for each person, but research has shown that there are a few triggers to watch out for, such as stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods.

Maybe your is triggered by stress at work or perhaps you’ve noticed your symptoms get worse when your sleep schedule changes. If you’ve identified some of your triggers, how have you managed them?

Share your experiences with us in the comments below. ⬇️

#RheumatoidArthritis #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth

Contrary to what the mainstream media and "anti-opioid" lobbyists would have you believe, legally prescribed opioid painkillers DO actually work for chronic pain. Opioids have been used for thousands of years to provide relief from pain, so why is there a mis-perception or inference in recent times they should only be used for acute pain?

In America the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines state there is "insufficient evidence to determine long-term benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain" [SEE LINK BELOW], and in Australia we are told there is a "lack of evidence for opioids in the management of chronic non-cancer pain" [i.e. based on the International Assoc. for the Study of Pain Policy Document February 2018].

Many anti-opioid activists claim there is “no evidence” or "insufficient evidence" opioids work long-term, yet there are NO high quality, placebo controlled studies routinely conducted for longer than 3 months. Therefore, to say there is no evidence is "a misleading statement, because non-opioid pain medications and alternative treatments are not studied for long periods either."

IF there are no reputable or "good studies" that go beyond 3 months [i.e. due to funding and other regulatory and scientific restrictions], surely the absence of evidence is NOT evidence of absence? There is a silent majority of responsible chronic pain patients, using their opioid pain killers safely and successfully for many years, yet their voice is not being heard.

#research #CDC #IASP #OpioidCrisis #PainManagement #Opioids #Painrelief #prescriptionopioids #Dontpunishpain #ChronicPain #PainManagement #OpioidEpidemic #OpioidCrisis #opioidtapering #forcetapering #Dependence #Addiction #opioidprescribingguidelines #OpioidHysteria #fearofopioids #opioidrestrictions #chronicpainpatients #deprescribingopioids #abandonment #untreatedpain #OpioidUseDisorder #SubstanceAbuse #PainKillers #StopTheStigma #Holisticcare #qualityoflife #noonesizefitsall

Study Finds Opioid Medication Effective for Chronic Pain — P...

Living with a health condition can be frustrating and unpredictable, even on the "good" days. When the "bad" days become more frequent or even unbearable and you struggle to get out of bed, are forced to cancel plans, or miss work — you might decide that you need a little extra support through treatment.

What made you seek treatment for your RA, either for the first time or after a length of time without any intervention? Share your defining moment in the comments below.

#RheumatoidArthritis #Pain #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth

Mighty fam, we’ve heard from so many of you about the relationship you have with your doctor and how important it is. For some of you, your rheumatologist is the only one who provides space for you to just "be." For others, finding time to communicate with your doctor is a frustrating experience.

Have you ever felt rushed by your doctor during an appointment? Share whether the above statement feels true or false to you in the comments below. (And if you feel up to it, tell us why!)

#RheumatoidArthritis #Pain #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth

We know that treating rheumatoid arthritis can be complex, and that it may take some time to find the right treatment plan for you.

Have you ever taken biologics as part of your treatment journey with RA (e.g., Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, etc.)? If so, we want to hear about your experience.

What do you wish someone had told you? Share in the comments below. ⬇️

#RheumatoidArthritis #Pain #PainManagement #ChronicIllness #CheckInWithMe #ChronicPain #Disability #Fibromyalgia #MentalHealth