The Pain of RA & How to Cope

I think it’s time for a practical post, don’t you? We’ve talked about a ton of abstract concepts lately and, while those are valuable for sure, they aren’t going to get out of bed and walk your dog for you, are they? "No, they’re not," is the correct answer.

My writing may be transcendent, but it’s not going to come to life and do your chores for you. I mean, at least no one has e-mailed me and told me that happened yet... The point is that this time we’re going to talk about something practical – pain and how to deal with it.

What more is there to know?

Now, I know there are some of you out there who are like, “Pfft! Pain and I are not high school sweethearts!” I know, I know.

Some of you have been dealing with pain for so long you think you can’t learn anything more about it, and that’s fine - but who knows? You may pick up on a new point of view or a different technique to help you manage it by sticking around until the end.

As for everyone else who is just starting on their rheumatoid arthritis and chronic illness pain journey? Well, I think we should start by defining just what chronic pain is.

Pain becomes part of the routine

In the past, I’ve described pain as a furious raccoon living with you who you don’t want to anger; a stranger who follows you but never introduces himself until you fall down and he laughs; and, a sword hanging over your head that definitely isn’t the Sword of Damocles and is an original metaphor that I totally made up.

Whatever example you want to use, the fact is that, after a while, pain becomes more of a frenemy than anything else.

On the one hand, you hate it and you wish it didn’t interfere with your life, ever. But on the other hand, someone always invites them to every party. Sounds horrible, right? All those angry raccoons, evil strangers, and, err, hanging swords.

Here’s the odd thing, though: after a while, pain starts to become so intertwined with your daily RA routine that, just like your favorite local frenemy, you’d notice if it was suddenly missing and you’d get that “something isn’t quite right” feeling. That’s chronic pain in a very colorful nutshell.

What can I do to stop it?

So, the question you really want to be answered is, “What can I do to stop it?” Well, I’m afraid I have some bad news.

You know I’d never lie to you, my faithful readers, so I will tell you that you probably will never get 100 percent relief from your rheumatoid arthritis and chronic illness pain. I know, it’s disheartening to hear.

But, don’t worry – after thirty years or so, I’ve figured out the best way to mitigate the chronic pain of RA and carry on with your day, and that is...distraction!

Distraction as a coping tool

Distraction can be anything – reading a good book, watching a particularly engaging movie, or even having a heated argument on Twitter with the Steak-umms account about the nature of science and facts. (Google "Steak-umm, Neil DeGrasse Tyson" - you won’t be disappointed.)

My distraction of choice

For me, the distraction of choice is video games. I can spend hours in a virtual world of robots and dragons and everything else seems to fall by the wayside, including pain. You may be wondering what the science is behind this phenomenon and I’ll tell you – I have no idea.

You could tell me there’s actually a tiny man that lives inside your brain who pushes a button for pain and, when you are distracted, he gets drunk on Brandy Alexanders and forgets to hit the switch...and I’d probably believe you.

My guess on why distraction works

My best guess is that because pain has so much to do with the brain and the neurons that when your mind is doing something else - like releasing dopamine because you beat a certain game boss or reached the satisfying conclusion of an episode - the pain neurons are, in essence, ignored by your conscious brain.

Of course, that’s just a guess by a guy who once stabbed himself with a knife while trying to open a jar of pickled artichoke hearts.

Enjoy what distracts you

Now, keep in mind (no pun intended) that you can’t half-ass a distraction.

If you aren’t really into that blog your friend sent you about the value of singing to your houseplants, then it’s not going to help with the pain. In fact, it might even cause your rheumatoid arthritis pain to increase, especially with something as ridiculous as plant singing.

It must be something you really enjoy and can lose yourself in. I know that can be hard for parents, especially with everyone at home during the pandemic, but here comes that age-old adage again: You can’t take care of your “self” without taking care of yourself. Get it?

Games to the rescue

So, that’s my best tip for helping with the chronic pain of RA and other long-term illnesses.

I always keep a Nintendo Switch or, as a last resort, my phone handy with a few games on it. If I need to wait out the effects of taking pain meds or make it through a particularly tough situation where I can’t leave, games to the rescue.

Find the thing that you can lose yourself in and use that to intoxicate your tiny-brain-pain-switch-man. Talk soon.