4 Ways to Manage the Unpredictability of RA
When I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I was so grateful to have an actual diagnosis and answer to my most painful symptoms that I didn’t stop to think about how this chronic disease would impact my day-to-day life. I’m sure most people, like myself, are so relieved to have something to treat that it takes a while for the reality of life with RA to sink in.
The uncertainty of life with RA
But here is the kicker: no matter how you choose to treat your RA — whether it is with pharmaceuticals, supplements, functional medicine, or some combination — there is always an element of unpredictability when you live with a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis.
4 ways to manage RA unpredictability
There are a million “moving parts” that impact how we feel and how we function on a daily basis. In addition, with many of those elements, we have no control over how our bodies will respond to things like treatments, weather, exercise, or dietary changes. The combination of all of these elements make it nearly impossible to predict the outcome of any RA-related scenario.
1. Document, document, and document some more
No matter if you are a fan of digitized files and apps, or stick with the classic pen and paper, documenting everything associated with your RA management can help you identify trends in symptoms and treatments. Then, the patterns that emerge can not only impact your treatment choices in the future, but also help you make informed decisions on a daily basis about what you can or cannot do, thus helping to manage some of the unpredictability of RA.
I like to keep a small notebook and pen handy. (What can I say? It is the teacher in me. Always be prepared! Oh, wait, maybe that’s the Boy Scouts...) But there are also some really great apps available for tracking all the elements of your disease management plan. If digital is your style, there are also some great customizable digital planners and journals.
One of the major benefits of going digital is the ability to email your doctor any documentation that you have. In turn, I believe it does a much better job of reflecting if your medication choices are working than the ridiculous 1-10 pain scale you have to fill out before every appointment.
2. Have backup plans for your backup plans
We all know that planning for rest days is one natural answer to managing the unpredictability of life with RA. However, even with the most careful planning, our bodies still can rebel against us. This is why I’m a big fan of plans B, C, and D. Why make one plan when it is much more likely that you will need 2, 3, or even 4?
3. Look closely at cause and effect
This little tip ties into documentation. If you are able to narrow down some of the causes and effects of the choices you’ve made then it makes it easier to pinpoint possible future outcomes.
4. Give in to the unpredictability
Sometimes when it comes down to it, the reality of RA is that there will always be an element of unpredictability about it and your life with it. There is no way around it. And no amount of planning or learning is going to change that. So it is also helpful when to know you’ve reached the point where in every situation, it is in everyone's best interest to mentally and emotionally give in.
Notice I didn’t necessarily say "give up," but rather, "give in," as in surrender. Stop fighting the battle. Maybe that means you surrender one battle so that you can be in a better place a little further down the line.
I really believe that our stress levels and mental and emotional health play a significant role in our RA management. Sometimes temporary surrender and giving yourself a break can go a long way in helping us keep our stress levels and mental health under control. Taking too much time to dwell on the details can lead to analysis paralysis, making it even more difficult to manage all the elements of our disease.
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