Re: Stiffness in the morning

[Guest guest]

This is just me personally----a warm bath helps me more than anything.

Sometimes I need help geetting in and sometimes getting out as well....but the

warm water works wonders. I also use Aspercream sometimes.

I have found that coffee - even decaf (maybe especially decaf) and absolutely

those cappucino drinks make me feel LOTS worse. I use half and half and sugar

in my coffee- so maybe it is the coffee, or maybe the additives, I am not sure.

I love to stretch, my husband has always teased me and called me a cat- but when

I am stiff or sore- stretching really hurts badly- actually I think the

inability to stretch is one of my biggest complaints when I am stiff and sore.

I mean, that I cannot stretch quite the way I normally would---

- In , " WhosDreamn " <krimoore@c...> wrote:

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

This is just me personally----a warm bath helps me more than anything.

Sometimes I need help geetting in and sometimes getting out as well....but the

warm water works wonders. I also use Aspercream sometimes.

I have found that coffee - even decaf (maybe especially decaf) and absolutely

those cappucino drinks make me feel LOTS worse. I use half and half and sugar

in my coffee- so maybe it is the coffee, or maybe the additives, I am not sure.

I love to stretch, my husband has always teased me and called me a cat- but when

I am stiff or sore- stretching really hurts badly- actually I think the

inability to stretch is one of my biggest complaints when I am stiff and sore.

I mean, that I cannot stretch quite the way I normally would---

- In , " WhosDreamn " <krimoore@c...> wrote:

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

RA isn't something only older people get. Anyone can get it at

almost any age. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 32. The

arthritis foundation has some onformation on RA and you can get free

broshures on the subject matter as well. Stiffness is a major issue

for me too. RA is very different from regular arthritis

(osteoarthritis). RA is immunological where as OA is wear and

tear. Warm baths really does help. Or hot showers. My water bill

has gone up a bit because I take long hot showers. Once I start to

loosen up I stretch a lot in the water. Another thing that helps

are hot tubs. Some companies will actually help you get one and

write it off on taxes as medical neccesity. This is a great group

to get info from as well as a great place to vent. I am fairly new

to the group as well and have found them invaluable. Good Luck and

I'll keep you guys in my prayers........Marina in Canal WInchester,

Ohio

> This is just me personally----a warm bath helps me more than

anything. Sometimes I need help geetting in and sometimes getting

out as well....but the warm water works wonders. I also use

Aspercream sometimes.

>

> I have found that coffee - even decaf (maybe especially decaf) and

absolutely those cappucino drinks make me feel LOTS worse. I use

half and half and sugar in my coffee- so maybe it is the coffee, or

maybe the additives, I am not sure.

>

> I love to stretch, my husband has always teased me and called me a

cat- but when I am stiff or sore- stretching really hurts badly-

actually I think the inability to stretch is one of my biggest

complaints when I am stiff and sore. I mean, that I cannot stretch

quite the way I normally would---

>

> - In , " WhosDreamn " <krimoore@c...>

wrote:

> > Hi All,

> > I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> > understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> > increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> > with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex

and

> > is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling

by

> > about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> > suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years

old

> > he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he

are

> > still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd

like to

> > be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> > everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> > another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

> >

> > Thanks all

> > e

[Guest guest]

RA isn't something only older people get. Anyone can get it at

almost any age. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 32. The

arthritis foundation has some onformation on RA and you can get free

broshures on the subject matter as well. Stiffness is a major issue

for me too. RA is very different from regular arthritis

(osteoarthritis). RA is immunological where as OA is wear and

tear. Warm baths really does help. Or hot showers. My water bill

has gone up a bit because I take long hot showers. Once I start to

loosen up I stretch a lot in the water. Another thing that helps

are hot tubs. Some companies will actually help you get one and

write it off on taxes as medical neccesity. This is a great group

to get info from as well as a great place to vent. I am fairly new

to the group as well and have found them invaluable. Good Luck and

I'll keep you guys in my prayers........Marina in Canal WInchester,

Ohio

> > Hi All,

> > I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> > understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> > increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> > with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex

and

> > is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling

by

> > about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> > suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years

old

> > he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he

are

> > still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd

like to

> > be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> > everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> > another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

> >

> > Thanks all

> > e

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group e. It is definitely a process to accept

that you have a chronic illness. Understanding exactly what RA is

will help with that, and over time he will accept it. When you say

cortisone pills, do you mean prednisone? I am on that, and so are a

lot of RA patients. But it is not a good long-term treatment due to

some of the side effects. Short term it is very effective for

getting the RA under control. Going forward his rheumatologist

(rheumy) will likely put in him on a DMARD (disease modifying anti-

rheumatic drug). It will be helpful for him to learn as much about

RA drugs as he can, so when he see's the rheumy he can participate in

the decision and discussion of alternative courses of treatment -

this will make him feel more in control of the disease instead of the

other way around.

The first DMARD a lot of RA patients start is methotrexate (mtx).

For some people, they can stay on mtx the rest of their lives and

have it control their RA just fine. For many, the disease progresses

(it is what happens with RA) and adding another drug is necessary.

There are several biological drugs (Enbrel, Remicade and Humira) that

can treat RA very effectively and slow or prevent the diseases

progression. There are a lot of other options for RA you will read

about here, I'm just not familiar with them all.

I have found the best thing for my morning stiffness is to get the RA

under control with medication. If you do that, the stiffness might

go away. I have not had stiffness for several months (I do have lots

of fatigue though, and mtx can make that worse). I take prednisone

(weaning off), mtx (17.5mgs weekly), folic acid (to limit side

effects of mtx), and Humira (injection every other week). The

stiffness went mostly away after starting mtx, but 6 months later

came roaring back. After starting Humira I mostly just had problems

with my feet, but exercising has helped that now. Exercise is an

important part of feeling better when you have RA. It's hard to

force yourself to do it though. Also, sometimes a person can't do

the same types of exercises as they might have in the past (like

running or walking) because of the high impact (it really hurts).

For me, weight lifting, swimming and the eliptical machine have been

the best.

If the treatment the rheumy has him on is not enough to make him feel

functional, he needs to call the rheumy and let him know. When is

his next appt? When to " wait and see what happens " and when to

change the course of the medication is very subjective and requires

open communication between patient and doctor. Letting the doctor

know what is going on will allow him to decide if your husband should

come in sooner or wait until the next scheduled visit.

Welcome and I hope you learn a lot here, this is a wonderful group

and an amazing source of information about RA and treatment of RA.

Jennie

By the way, I am 33 years old, mother of a beautiful 4 year old girl

and have had RA for a little over a year.

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like

to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group e. It is definitely a process to accept

that you have a chronic illness. Understanding exactly what RA is

will help with that, and over time he will accept it. When you say

cortisone pills, do you mean prednisone? I am on that, and so are a

lot of RA patients. But it is not a good long-term treatment due to

some of the side effects. Short term it is very effective for

getting the RA under control. Going forward his rheumatologist

(rheumy) will likely put in him on a DMARD (disease modifying anti-

rheumatic drug). It will be helpful for him to learn as much about

RA drugs as he can, so when he see's the rheumy he can participate in

the decision and discussion of alternative courses of treatment -

this will make him feel more in control of the disease instead of the

other way around.

The first DMARD a lot of RA patients start is methotrexate (mtx).

For some people, they can stay on mtx the rest of their lives and

have it control their RA just fine. For many, the disease progresses

(it is what happens with RA) and adding another drug is necessary.

There are several biological drugs (Enbrel, Remicade and Humira) that

can treat RA very effectively and slow or prevent the diseases

progression. There are a lot of other options for RA you will read

about here, I'm just not familiar with them all.

I have found the best thing for my morning stiffness is to get the RA

under control with medication. If you do that, the stiffness might

go away. I have not had stiffness for several months (I do have lots

of fatigue though, and mtx can make that worse). I take prednisone

(weaning off), mtx (17.5mgs weekly), folic acid (to limit side

effects of mtx), and Humira (injection every other week). The

stiffness went mostly away after starting mtx, but 6 months later

came roaring back. After starting Humira I mostly just had problems

with my feet, but exercising has helped that now. Exercise is an

important part of feeling better when you have RA. It's hard to

force yourself to do it though. Also, sometimes a person can't do

the same types of exercises as they might have in the past (like

running or walking) because of the high impact (it really hurts).

For me, weight lifting, swimming and the eliptical machine have been

the best.

If the treatment the rheumy has him on is not enough to make him feel

functional, he needs to call the rheumy and let him know. When is

his next appt? When to " wait and see what happens " and when to

change the course of the medication is very subjective and requires

open communication between patient and doctor. Letting the doctor

know what is going on will allow him to decide if your husband should

come in sooner or wait until the next scheduled visit.

Welcome and I hope you learn a lot here, this is a wonderful group

and an amazing source of information about RA and treatment of RA.

Jennie

By the way, I am 33 years old, mother of a beautiful 4 year old girl

and have had RA for a little over a year.

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like

to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add that I only exercise when I'm feeling good,

which would be in the afternoons but since I am at work then, I

exercise in the evenings. I never have enough energy to do it in the

mornings. I know stretching and yoga exercises are good when you are

stiff. My mom, who also has RA, does morning exercises and they help

her a lot. I have to drag myself out of bed every morning (due to

lack of energy) and it's a miracle I make it into work at all, so

personally I have never exercised in the mornings.

Jennie

Exercise is an

> important part of feeling better when you have RA. It's hard to

> force yourself to do it though. Also, sometimes a person can't do

> the same types of exercises as they might have in the past (like

> running or walking) because of the high impact (it really hurts).

> For me, weight lifting, swimming and the eliptical machine have

been

> the best.

>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add that I only exercise when I'm feeling good,

which would be in the afternoons but since I am at work then, I

exercise in the evenings. I never have enough energy to do it in the

mornings. I know stretching and yoga exercises are good when you are

stiff. My mom, who also has RA, does morning exercises and they help

her a lot. I have to drag myself out of bed every morning (due to

lack of energy) and it's a miracle I make it into work at all, so

personally I have never exercised in the mornings.

Jennie

Exercise is an

> important part of feeling better when you have RA. It's hard to

> force yourself to do it though. Also, sometimes a person can't do

> the same types of exercises as they might have in the past (like

> running or walking) because of the high impact (it really hurts).

> For me, weight lifting, swimming and the eliptical machine have

been

> the best.

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group this is a great place to come and learn I was

diagnosed with RA a few months ago for my stiffness i take hot

showers and just move and try to stretch some while in there. By

the way I am 30 years old and I also at one time thought this was

just an old person problem but it definetly isn't I will be

thinking of you guys please read as many posts as you can you will

learn quite a bit

Angie

-- In , " WhosDreamn " <krimoore@c...> wrote:

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex

and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years

old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like

to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group this is a great place to come and learn I was

diagnosed with RA a few months ago for my stiffness i take hot

showers and just move and try to stretch some while in there. By

the way I am 30 years old and I also at one time thought this was

just an old person problem but it definetly isn't I will be

thinking of you guys please read as many posts as you can you will

learn quite a bit

Angie

-- In , " WhosDreamn " <krimoore@c...> wrote:

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex

and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years

old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like

to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, e! Sorry about your husband's diagnosis and

that he's not doing well.

His best bet for improving how he is feeling is to be on the right

treatment regimen. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are

the most important part of successfully treating RA.

For much useful information on RA and its treatments, please see a's

site:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

This article, from the Hospital for Special Surgery entitled, " How

Medication Decisions are Made in RA Treatment, " is a very good summary:

http://rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduprograms/livingra/medicationra.asp

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Stiffness in the morning

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, e! Sorry about your husband's diagnosis and

that he's not doing well.

His best bet for improving how he is feeling is to be on the right

treatment regimen. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are

the most important part of successfully treating RA.

For much useful information on RA and its treatments, please see a's

site:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

This article, from the Hospital for Special Surgery entitled, " How

Medication Decisions are Made in RA Treatment, " is a very good summary:

http://rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduprograms/livingra/medicationra.asp

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Stiffness in the morning

> Hi All,

> I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had gradually

> increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was diagnosed

> with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex and

> is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling by

> about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years old

> he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd like to

> be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

>

> Thanks all

> e

[Guest guest]

Hi e and welcome to our group. I am sorry to hear about your

husband's diagnosis. It is hard to accept that you have this

disease, but one thing you need to remind him is that there are very

young people with the disease, it doesn't respect age bounderies or

race. Maybe you could invite him to read some of the posts, that way

he can see that we are all on different meds and we all handle this

in many different ways.

I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. ~ROSA~

> Welcome to the group, e! Sorry about your husband's

diagnosis and

> that he's not doing well.

>

> His best bet for improving how he is feeling is to be on the right

> treatment regimen. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

are

> the most important part of successfully treating RA.

>

>

> For much useful information on RA and its treatments, please see

a's

> site:

>

> http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

>

>

> This article, from the Hospital for Special Surgery entitled, " How

> Medication Decisions are Made in RA Treatment, " is a very good

summary:

>

>

http://rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduprograms/livingra/medicationra.asp

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

> [ ] Stiffness in the morning

>

>

> > Hi All,

> > I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> > understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> > increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> > with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex

and

> > is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling

by

> > about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> > suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years

old

> > he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> > still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd

like to

> > be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> > everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> > another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

> >

> > Thanks all

> > e

[Guest guest]

Hi e and welcome to our group. I am sorry to hear about your

husband's diagnosis. It is hard to accept that you have this

disease, but one thing you need to remind him is that there are very

young people with the disease, it doesn't respect age bounderies or

race. Maybe you could invite him to read some of the posts, that way

he can see that we are all on different meds and we all handle this

in many different ways.

I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. ~ROSA~

> Welcome to the group, e! Sorry about your husband's

diagnosis and

> that he's not doing well.

>

> His best bet for improving how he is feeling is to be on the right

> treatment regimen. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

are

> the most important part of successfully treating RA.

>

>

> For much useful information on RA and its treatments, please see

a's

> site:

>

> http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

>

>

> This article, from the Hospital for Special Surgery entitled, " How

> Medication Decisions are Made in RA Treatment, " is a very good

summary:

>

>

http://rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduprograms/livingra/medicationra.asp

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

> [ ] Stiffness in the morning

>

>

> > Hi All,

> > I'm a newbie to the group and trying to get as much info and

> > understanding as I can on this disease. My husband has had

gradually

> > increasing pain and stiffness for the last three months was

diagnosed

> > with RA last week by his rhuematoligist. He has tried Celebrex

and

> > is now on cortisone pills. They have helped the pain /swelling

by

> > about 60% he says but hasn't done much for the stiffness. Any

> > suggestions? He's still working thru the idea that at 39 years

old

> > he's got something he thought only older people have so we/he are

> > still in the process of understanding and accepting, but I'd

like to

> > be ready to help when he is ready to accept help. What helps

> > everyone else with the stiffness? yoga? stretching? hot baths?

> > another med? cutting out certain foods? anything? = )

> >

> > Thanks all

> > e