If you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, then you need to be prepared for a long battle with the disease. Here’s a list of 10 things you need to do and 7 things you can’t do that will help you. 10 things you need to do 1. Pay attention to the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis Discovering the early symptoms of arthritis and seeking prompt medical attention for a clear diagnosis is a prerequisite for timely treatment of arthritis. If the symptoms persist, go to the hospital as soon as possible. Many early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (such as pain) are not specific, so when these symptoms occasionally occur, most people do not choose to go to the hospital immediately, but usually observe them first, or simply deal with them themselves (such as selling some painkillers). However, if these symptoms persist, then it is recommended that you go to the hospital as soon as possible. Find a doctor you trust We often hear the question “Where can I find the best doctor for rheumatoid arthritis?” This is a question. Rheumatoid arthritis is not a rare disease and you don’t need to look for a “top doctor”, just go to a rheumatologist near you. Instead of going all the way to a “famous doctor”, you should find a doctor who can follow your condition over time and share the causes with you. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term chronic disease, you need a doctor who can fight with you for a long time. 4. Clear diagnosis There are many types of arthritis. Do not assume that all joint pain and swelling are said to be rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment options for different types of arthritis vary greatly. It is recommended that you go to a hospital with a rheumatology and immunology specialty to get a clear diagnosis. 5, detailed understanding of their own treatment plan rheumatoid arthritis will not immediately kill you, sometimes will naturally ease, so some patients treat treatment is “three days to fish, two days to sunbathe”. What’s worse is that they don’t want to understand their treatment plan, why they are taking the medication, how long they should take it, and how often they should be seen again ……. They don’t care about it at all. Although there is no cure, the treatments available today are very effective in controlling the condition of rheumatoid arthritis. However, if you do not understand and follow the regular treatment, you are likely to accelerate the progression of the disease and become disabled and unable to take care of yourself earlier than other patients. So, treat it as a very important thing to do. 6, pay attention to pain Pain is one of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, pain episodes are a signal to tell you that your disease control is not good. Take the pain seriously and don’t push through it. Go to the doctor to get professional advice, take medication as prescribed, and take rest to relieve pain. 7. Know what triggers pain or makes the disease in active stage Different people, the factors that trigger pain or prompt the disease in active stage are different. It could be mental stress, or insomnia, or irregular medication. In short, it is important to understand which factors may trigger your pain or even contribute to an active disease. Then dispense with the effects of these adverse factors as much as possible. 8. Protect your joints Joint destruction is the most important cause of disability in rheumatoid arthritis, and one of the important aims of drug therapy is to reduce joint destruction. You yourself should also pay attention to joint protection in your normal activities and sports. 9, adjust your lifestyle You may like to stay up late, smoke, or you like hiking. But if you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, change these lifestyles and habits as much as possible, otherwise they may worsen your condition. The disease suddenly inserted into your life, adjusting your lifestyle is a must. 10. Relax Do you occasionally feel like your life is all about the disease, hospitals, doctors, medicines, fevers, pain, swelling ……. This feeling can sap your will and send you into a sense of helplessness. “Both come and go”, relax, make a plan to fight for decades and face it with a relaxed and happy mind, even if it is better to be happy in the midst of suffering than to be sad and relative every day. 7 things you can’t do 1, don’t expect family and friends to fully appreciate your feelings Son not fish how to know the joy of fish? By the same token, it is difficult for them to fully understand your feelings, unless they also suffer from the same disease as you. Expectations are too high, the more disappointment, try to communicate with them, but also do not ask too much of them. 2, don’t go around the country to find “famous doctors” rheumatoid arthritis is not a rare disease, the treatment program is relatively mature, and most hospitals are currently following the same treatment principles in dealing with this disease. As long as there is a regular hospital near your home with a rheumatology specialist, then go there. The nationwide search for “famous doctors” and “the best doctors” may not have good results. 3, don’t isolate yourself There are millions of rheumatoid arthritis patients in China, don’t isolate yourself, find them, exchange ideas with them, isolate each other. Join the rheumatoid arthritis community. 4, don’t believe in prescriptions Rheumatoid arthritis is a worldwide problem, and there is no cure. You may often hear that there is an old Chinese doctor there with a magic prescription that can cure your disease. Don’t be in a hurry, charlatans are very good at taking advantage of this mentality of yours. It is only proper to go to a regular hospital and find a specialist. 5, don’t feel sorry for yourself Why me? Perhaps you will often ask this question after you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This self-pitying question is a completely “negative” energy, you get nothing from it. 6, do not neglect to deal with pain Some people may be worried about the side effects of painkillers and put up with the pain. In fact, most pain medication is relatively safe, under the guidance of a doctor’s medication are in a manageable range. Long-term pain can make you suffer from stress and even lead to depression. 7, do not take the initiative to adjust their own treatment plan Doctors will often adjust the treatment plan according to the changes in your condition. Perhaps over time, you will also have the feeling of “a good doctor for a long time”, will add, reduce or stop the medication without permission. Don’t do this. We write a lot about the disease for you to read, so that you can better understand the disease and cooperate with the doctor’s treatment, not so that you can be your own doctor.