Rheumatoid arthritis is going to be big part of your life, perhaps for years—perhaps for the rest of your life. If you become involved in the day-to-day management of your health, you stand a better chance of maintaining the activities that fill your life. If you take on this job the same way you would take on a new career position, knowing it will require daily learning and practicing and that there will be setbacks as well as successes, you are on your way to managing your rheumatoid arthritis.

• Knowing what you will physically be able to do tomorrow, next year, and beyond, starts with learning what rheumatoid arthritis is and what is happening inside your body.
• The next step is learning what you can do and what your limits are.
• The third step is forming and following a self-management plan for your life.

Early medication-based treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may limit joint damage and help you to avoid permanent disability. However, even with that successful outcome, the disease may be active for years. During that time, and in the periods of time when the disease is not active (in remission), you will want to continue with the activities that make life complete. An effective treatment plan should include both exercise and creative ways to get projects done as an important part of your daily routine.

Understand your arthritis:

• Learn about your body and what is happening to it with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Learn about your health professionals, the recommended medications, and what they can do for you.
• Find out what can improve your health, such as losing weight or starting a flexibility exercise program.

Learn how to cope with chronic pain, fatigue, and stiffness:

• Experiment and learn what can help you feel better and what makes things worse. Some people can write without pain while others can't, and the same goes for walking, aerobics, etc.
• Learn basic skills, such as ways to use your body that protect stiff areas, that will help you continue activities.
• Explore the use of splints, canes, and other assistive devices that can help you avoid discomfort while staying active.

Take an active role in managing your arthritis:

• Gather information about rheumatoid arthritis and the steps you can take to stay active.
• Work with your team of health professionals, friends, and family to set up a self-management plan.
• Set goals to practice your coping and strengthening skills and incorporate these goals into your life.
• Follow through with your self-management plan on a day-to-day basis.

To learn more about how to set up a self-management plan for rheumatoid arthritis, contact your health professional.

For more information on arthritis self-management plans, the following resources are available:

Organizations