Please provide some do's and don'ts for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Avoid: Avoid nitrates and nitrites in "cured" meats - these products cause inflammation & make pain worse.

Just: Just because arthritis "runs in your family" does not mean that you have to suffer from it.

Get: Get tested for igg food allergies- hidden food allergies can make your arthritis much worse.

Glucosamine: Glucosamine and condroiton have anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce arthritis symptoms.

Ice: Ice after overuse, then change to moist heat.

A new TipTap: Some people have been helped by going on a vegan diet, or at least eliminating gluten and all dairy.

Don't: Don't despair. Remission is possible for most sufferers!

Exercise: Exercise as best you can! it helps physically and mentally!

Stay: Stay positive. Most patients can be remitted. Your temporary pain will give you empathy for others!

Ask: Ask your doctor to consider doxycline (100mg bid) for your rheumatoid arthritis. It works!

When: When your disease is active, avoid concussive activity, ie. Running versus swimming.

DO: Do -consider moist heat to relax muscles & remove pain molecules.

DO: Do relax. It can help to reduce pain. (progressive muscle relaxation & deep breathing exercise).

DO: Do - consider acupuncture to promote relaxation which will in turn help with pain control.

DO: Do - exercise under doctor's guidance. Consider gentle swimming or water aerobics.

DON'T: Don't - smoke. Smoking is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis in some individuals.

DO: Do - consider use of adaptive devices for activities that your arthritis impacts (like a grabber).

DO: Do - consider occupational therapy to learn safe & efficient wasy to perform impacted activities.

Subcutaneous: Subcutaneous Methotrexate is better than pills. Absorption is 100% and it bypasses the liver and stomach!

Low: Low dose Prednisone (2.5-5.0mg) every morning can make a world of difference for RA patients' pain!

If: If on Prednisone or other steroid, or methotrexate, you should be on a bisphosphonate to help bone!

All: All nsaids, with the exception of celebrex, (celecoxib) block the heart benefits of aspirin!

Cannot: Cannot prevent since do not know cause. Get checked by your pcp regularly and stay healthy.

Omega-3: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to benefit a number of inflammatory diseases! found in fish/oil!

Do: Do know your crp! if persistently elevated, it is an indicator of joint damage and potential ashd.

RA: Ra patients generally have more fatigue than patients with other types of arthritis. Get enough rest!

We: We need to decrease inflammation because it accelerates atherosclerosis, not just damaging joints!

Take: Take your meds as directed. Listen to your doctor. Live your life.

Seek: Seek the care of a rheumatologist. Know your body. Live your life as best as you can!

Keep: Keep your weight under control. Inflamed joints do not tolerate unnecessary trauma!

Tai: Tai chi may be a gentle strengthening exercise that can protect you joints.

Exercise: Exercise within your limits. See your doctor regularly. Get a rheumatologist involved in your care.

Periods: Periods of rest and exercise. Keep ideal weight eat healthy food. Avoid people with infections, flu.

Follow: Follow advice of rheumatologist, even if they seem to change your meds so often. Trust them.

If: If not doing well on your biologic for ra, consider a new oral drug called xelljanz, taken 5mg/bid!

If: If you have an infection talk to your doctor about briefly holding meds until better.

Don't: Don't stop your medications without speaking to your doctor first.

Do: Do stay active & exercise. Do not stay in bed.

Keep: Keep moving. Water aerobic activities is safer than other activities until remission occurs!

Regular: Regular exercise is important to preserve strength, try low impact exercise like water aerobics.

Some: Some patients find deep breathing and muscle relaxation help to control unexpected pain flares.

Keep: Keep active, within the framework of your pain. You will need to start slow with atraumatic exercise!

Don't: Don't lose hope. Virtually 100% of RA patients can be remitted. May take time and med changes.

Medicine: Medicine and exercise can make it possible to live a full, satisfying life.

Don't: Don't lose hope. Virtually 100% of RA patients can be remitted. May take time changing meds....

RA: Ra is often responsive to dietary changes. Try elimination diet, but work w/ your doctor and meds.

Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in some people.

Joint: Joint damage can be reduced by early diagnosis and appropriate medication.

Don't: Don't despair. With all the new drugs, virtually all RA patients can be put into remission!

Modern: Modern drugs can dramatically change the course of this disease.

Large: Large registries do not support an increased risk of lymphoma from tnf blocking drugs like enbrel (etanercept).

There: There are many new highly effective treatments. Ask your rheumatologist about them!

Pts: Patients with RA should be on bisphosphonates (actonel) if they are on prednisone!

Many: Many RA drugs can cause osteoporosis, as well as lack of activity. There are drugs to prevent this!

If: If you have a chronic health condition, consider starting a support group if one is not available.

Plaquenil, (hydroxychloroquine): Plaquenil, (hydroxychloroquine) used in ra, also lowers blood sugars and may ward off or treat type 2 diabetes! a two-fer'!

If: If you have RA and are diabetic, Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) can help prevent or treat diabetes!

Older: Older RA patients on Doxycycline should switch to Minocycline in summer months to avoid sunburn!

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine): Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) at doses below 6 mg /kg of body weight is not associated with eye toxicity! don't worry!

If: If you have RA & heart disease & take aspirin, all nsaids except Celebrex (celecoxib) & salycilate block aspirin's effect!

A: A new drug, xeljanz, has the efficacy of Humira or enbrel, (etanercept) but is taken orally. Indicated for ra!

Taking: Taking Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) with a warm liquid can reduce esophageal discomfort and reflux symptoms.

Thumb: Thumb rings make removing pop top lids much easier when the joints in your hands are stiff & painful.

DON'T: Don't do physical therapy on your own. Only with trained professional because form is important!

Inactivity: Inactivity & many drugs to treat RA can cause bone loss! get your bone density checked reguarly!

Before: Before starting tnf-alpha inhibitors, ask your rheumatologist about Leflunomide (arava)!

Do: Do not drink more than 4 cups of coffee/day. Excess caffeine reduces if the efficacy of methotrexate.

RA: Ra pts. Who do not respond to tnf-a inhibitors, frequently respond to xeljanz, a new oral drug!

Low: Low dose prednisone, 2.5mg, can make a big difference in quality of life in patients with rheumatoid!

If: If you have RA & can't sleep well. Talk to your doctor & ask for a safe sleep aid. Tired, you hurt!

If: If you have failed a biologic in the tnf-alpha class, you should probably switch to another class!

Patients: Patients with RA are twice as likely to have depression than those without ra. Talk to your doc!

The: The old drug "salsalate" does not cause GI upset or bleeding, & now has been shown to help diabetes.

In: In a large study, diclofenac, celecoxib, and Ibuprofen had higher cardiac problems than naproxen!

RA: Ra patients with inflammation are more likely to get plaque in arteries. Dr. Can check risk factors!

In: In RA a combination of ketamine 5%, Ketoprofen 5%, Gabapentin 5%, Lidocaine 5% in gel works very well!

A: A rheumatologist is the doctor to see. While it may take a while to see them, do go to them.

Notice/be: Notice/be aware of your pain, but do not give it your energy. It goes with you but is not you!

Do: Do pay careful attention to oral hygiene if you are taking Methotrexate to avoid tooth loss.

Older: Older treatments with multiple drugs can give equal results to the new but expensive drugs!

Move: Move your headboard away from the wall, and you can grasp the top to help get out of bed when stiff.