How specifically do you deal when the entire body pain is SEVERE?

Hi, .

That's a good question. I have some questions for you that you do not have to answer. Are you currently on any medications to treat your RA and do you feel like they are working? Are you on any medications to manage your pain, like prednisone? Is the pain a constant presence or do you have periods with little pain? Have you ever been referred to a pain specialist? I know it's pretty darned hard to get prescriptions for stronger pain medications now, but it may be worth pursuing, if you haven't done so already.

Frankly, I don't know how you deal with severe pain. I know people do it, but I am no expert on the topic. I wanted to share this piece that is on the topic of pain and it may seem not what you are looking for, but it's a good read (and check out the comments at the end of the piece) -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-tolerance. You really deserve to live with less pain, if at all possible. Please keep advocating for yourself until you can get doctors to listen. While natural options can help a lot (meditation, yoga, tai chi, dietary changes, etc); they will most likely work best in conjunction with more conventional treatments.

Best, Erin, Team Member.

This is a really good but tough question to answer because pain is defined so broadly as we all experience it differently, even if we're diagnosed with the same condition. I'm not sure what you have tried already but here is a list of things you can consider:

Medications: prescription painkillers, anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxants.

Hot/Cold Therapy: applying heat or cold packs to affected areas

Gentle Movement: light stretching or gentle exercises like yoga or tai chi

Relaxation Techniques: deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation

Hydration and Nutrition: staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet

Physical Therapy: working with a physical therapist can provide targeted exercises and techniques

Alternative Therapies: techniques like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic care

I hope this list gives you some things that you haven't yet thought about or done. Let us know if this is helpful. Wishing you the best and fast relief soon! Kindly, Latoya (Team Member)

Thank you so much, ERIN & LATOYA!!! I really appreciate your response & suggestions! I should have mentioned that I was diagnosed in 1992 with SLE, then a Crossover to RA. They both run in my family on my mother’s side. We believe my maternal grandmother died from either Lupus or RA while on vacation visiting Japan. There was nothing known about the autoimmune conditions back then, I believe. When my mom was diagnosed with RA, there was only the Gold treatment which did not work for her like so many others. Cortisone alleviated only some of her pain 😢. My sister has a mild case of Lupus…(Hope & pray about my Daughter & my Granddaughter🙏). I know a quite a lot about RA through research & having the best doctors in the previous area near my favorite hospital. With being 80 years old next year, it’s more difficult to travel to see them even though I still manage to drive.

I was extremely fortunate that I was able to be in several studies for biologics! Remacade worked for 2 1/2 years while I was teaching, volunteering, taking night classes, tended to my family & social life… But then, like all others, I developed antibodies & it no longer worked. I tried several others that did not work also, until in 2004, I began Rituxan which worked for over 16 years & really well most of the time with intermittent less severe flares. For the occasional pain, I took Vicodin & 3 Aleve liquid gels for the inflammation. After breaking my elbow in 2015, I occasionally needed 5-10mg Oxycodone for one day only for the accompanying pain which I did NOT abuse! It’s the ONLY thing that truly helps me from the excruciating pain & I’m down to my last few. I can’t find any pain doctor near where I live that will prescribe it to me now! The care that I received all these years previously was beyond-excellent & I’ll be forever grateful, but here the rheumatologists in this city lack the knowledge & caring… I’m on my last biologic, Orencia, they tell me now. And other painful comorbidity…
I was just wondering what others do for the severe pain of an RA flare…
BTW: Tramadol doesn’t work for me & causes terrible side effects.

Ohmygoodness, thank You, Daniel, I knew YOU would understand! Yes, last time I was in the hospital, I had to beg & beg for pain meds. Thank You so much, I will seek an anesthesiologist…