Living with anautoimmune diseasethat causes significant pain and fatigue, likerheumatoid arthritis, can be emotionally and physically exhausting.
Finding rheumatoid arthritis support can make it easier to get through specific challenges or really difficult days.
People with rheumatoid arthritis commonly havejoint painand stiffness, in addition to other symptoms like fevers and fatigue.
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In either case, finding rheumatoid arthritis support can help.
But how do you get the help that can make life just a little bit easier?
Heres what they shared.
Consider asking your loved ones for specific acts of service.
It can be really,reallyhard to ask for help with things, even when youreally need it.
Your friends and family may not fully understand what youre going through or how they can help.
Shelley Decker, 45, found this approach beneficial when asking her family and friends for support.
They were eager to assist Decker once they better understood her condition and what she wanted them to do.
In her experience loved ones say that helping her is one way they can express how much they care.
I find that its their way to say, I love you.
Find help with childcare if you’ve got the option to.
It can be super hard to balance your needs with your family’s when you have young children.
I was really fortunate to have the resources to do that, Holly says.
Connect with other people who have rheumatoid arthritis.
Understandably, you may find that your best sources of support are those who truly know whatyoure going through.
Holly says that joining online support groups has been invaluable.
Those can really be a lifeboat, Holly says.
Somebody definitely understands what youre going through [in these groups].
you’re free to search rheumatoid arthritis in Facebook groups to find a few that appeal to you.
you might also look for online support groups and resources through theArthritis FoundationorCreaky Joints, an arthritis advocacy group.
Consider talking to your employer or supervisor about making job modifications.
Sometimes you might need to make adjustments to your workspace for be more comfortable.
For example, Kissell is a teacher and her school dress code prohibits wearing sneakers.
Talking to your supervisor can feel really intimidating.
Consider seeing a therapist or counselor if it’s possible for you to.
Understandably, you may become depressed or anxious from living with chronic pain.
Or some people may be ashamed about having a medical condition.
Those feelings can all be incredibly overwhelming and hard to work through on your own.
She was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis when she was 15 months old.
Its important to not just target the pain but the emotions around it.
Seek support in hobbies and activities too.
Some people we talked to said participating in certain activities felt like a method of support.
Thats been super helpful because it reduces the amount of stress I feel, Crow tells SELF.
(Here are more waysto meditate.)
Holly says making art has really helped her manage her condition.
Your needs might change a lot over the course of your life, Crow says.
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