What are some of your favorite self-care indulgences to manage RA?
It would be lovely as a community if we can share some examples of how we embrace self-care to combat RA!
Hi,
well I use different braces and tensors open finger gloves, open toe foot/ankle tensors. Also have knee tensors sleeves. So far haven't purchased the elbow tensor sleeves. I have 2 types of hand/wrist braces
The longer pink one that is a right hand and I have one for my left hand. I have a black smaller one for a good tight fit around the wrist. The the grey open finger hand tensor, pink open toe foot/ankle tensor sock and the knee tensors. Have an awesome long heating oad and there us alwzys ice pacjs in the freezer as needed.
Thank you
Blessings
Casmere
Hi Pamela, so apparently I can give you the name of the manufacturer for my tensor gloves, and all the items pictured are from this same manufacturer on Amazon. "Dr.Arthritis" and they are excellent to deal with if, for some reason, things aren't right. You do have to look through the information to find how to measure your hand, wrist, foot, or whatever you are looking to purchase. Not all of the items have the same compression as the gloves.I hope this helps.
Blessing and Prayers
Casmere
Thank you. I was wondering if it was purchasing tensor gloves would be helpful!
I check in every 3 months minimum with my mental health provider as depression & anxiety are big issues for me (and suicidal thoughts….just tired of the pain). Regularly taking my meds. Making myself stretch/move/walk even on painful days to keep intensity of pain at a tolerable level for me. Napping as needed. Maintains a diet of fresh foods and less to no processed food as the fresh foods keep my inflammation/aches at tolerable level.
thanks for reaching out. I too battle with depression and anxiety. I have a mental health doctor and see a mental health counselor weekly. so very beneficial. I too find eating zero to very little processed food is better for me. Less inflammation for sure. Appreciate you sharing. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member" 
Thank you so much for sharing, really appreciate the feedback to my question. These are all so important especially checking in with your mental healthcare provider. The emotional and mental health impact rheumatoid arthritis can have on people diagnosed with it goes overlooked many times. But I'm glad more awareness is picking up and people are getting the help they need. <3 -Effie, team member
I forgot some items. I use a long handled reacher, I have a sockaid, long handles bathroon appliances, a bath chair/transfer bench, canes (2 of them, one in house when needed and my blinge one I take with me when I go out.) and have 2 rollator/walkers where my old (6 1/2 yrs old) one in my trunk for using when out and about and my new one in house, it doesn't get used now since my hip has healed up quite good. I also have a chair lift on a 14 curved set of stars, which was covered for me 5 1/2 years ago through March of Dimes. I am lucky to have these things, but I have paid out of pocket for most of them other then the lift and partial coverage on the rollator/walker.
Thank you ( I tried to proofread through so hope is good)
Blessings
Casmere
Yeah, Medicare isn’t super forthcoming, but if you are willing to fight them they will eventually pay. It may take a year of fighting but if you can somehow finagle an overnight hospital stay they are much, much, less ornery about what you need to take home with you. If you need any help, please let us know! Keep on keepin’ on, DPM
Thank you
for this information. I live in Ontario, Canada so no Medicare here. We have OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) so part of my Rollator/walker was partly covered, I paid the rest and part of that was covered by my private Insurance. I had my saftey rails in the bathroom completely covered, and my stair lift. All the rest I purchased myself and never went through my private insurance as would "need RX'S" for all the various aids, which I could of got but is a hassle trying to get in to see Dr and have to wait when I needed things then. All's good, I got the big things covered.
Blessings and Prayers
CasmereGlad to hear, and yes, it is different in Canada but from what I understand there is still some sort of appeals process? I’m not sure exactly how it works but I am glad to hear at least the big things got covered. People don’t realize how much those mobility aids give us independence and help us not have to call for help every single time we want to do something! Keep on keepin’ on, DPM
