Living with rheumatoid arthritis can
mean living with chronic pain, fatigue, and joint stiffness. Thousands of
people have benefited from developing and following plans to help them manage
their symptoms. You and your health professional can develop a medical
treatment plan that may include medication and other therapies. Early medical
treatment can help you avoid disabling joint changes and chronic pain.
Besides following your medical
treatment plan, there are several steps you can take to maintain your normal
life and activities. This is often called self-management. The first steps
include:
- Learning as much as you can about rheumatoid arthritis.
- Learning ways to reduce joint pain, fatigue, and stiffness.
- Taking an active role in managing your rheumatoid arthritis.