All posts filed under: RA Solutions

These are the things I do to hep me cope with my RA.

Memory Palace for those precious memories

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I’m sure that you have heard how helpful a memory palace can be.   Generally, a memory palace is a system for remembering information.  It is a very special system and can be used in a variety of ways. It is an excellent way to store all your favorite memories so you know where they are located.  It is a place to visit when you want to feel good.  The memory of a feeling, the  feel of a breeze on your cheek. The smell of the fresh morning air. Hugging your chubby baby. Hearing your favorite guy laugh. The good feelings of friends and family happy together. Happy carefree times with children. Valuable memories. It can be memories of favorite books, movies maybe. A memory palace can be anything. Mine is a comfortable old white house with a wrap around porch. An old fashioned wooden screen door. Hardwood floors. Library where many of my memories are stored. A kitchen. Back porch and trees.   I can add rooms but I do think mood more than specifics. I can …

RA Solutions Gardening

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I have the misfortune of having a painfully, progressing rheumatoid arthritis. My RA started when I was older. An older onset RA tends to be more severe like it is trying to make up past time. After eight years, most of my joints are affected. I have neuropathy in my feet and joint damage in my hands and feet. I walk with a cane when I’m out and frequently use a walker to get around at home. I am disabled. It has taken me a long time to admit it. But the upside is that I can make changes to my life so that I can manage in spite of disability. The long cozy nights by the fire have given way to the longer days of spring. It is time to be out in the garden. My roses were amazing all through May. My clematis is covered in large dark blue flowers. Hosta fill one corner of my patio. All my herbs have renewed themselves. I enjoy the fruits of past garden labors and am …

Using Heat and Cold for RA

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Heat and cold application can be a helpful tool in managing the symptoms of RA.  Have you mulled the idea of using ice or warm compresses to make your joints feel better, but was unsure what you should use so didn’t do anything? Should I use heat? Should I use ice? The answers are simple and unless taken to extreme, heat/cold applications are non-invasive, safe, and helpful for many arthritis sufferers. In sports medicine Ice is used for an immediate injury such as an ankle sprain. We have all experienced the call for ice after someone falls or is hit in a sports event. When applied to the skin, ice causes the local blood vessels to constrict. This slows down the circulation and will reduce new inflammation and swelling to the affected area.  Ice will also numb the area quieting pain receptors and reducing pain. Ice from the ice chest or a very cold soda can are usually available at a soccer game or similar sports game. It makes ice an easily obtainable, useful remedy. …

RA and the Bread Machine

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In December I had the urge to make bread. It was the same urge that I had several years ago to start knitting. I knitted everyone a beanie, or a wrap or a special heart to say I cared.  I am still knitting. I am working on a blanket project that is over half done, a wrap for my Watertown, NY sister-in-law and a fluffy, bright red beanie for a friend. Now I am adding breadmaking to my list of activities. I researched bread machines on the internet. Found the one I liked, a two-pound Oster and added it to my wish list. Eventually, Amazon made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse. In December during my hip replacement recovery, I became the happy owner of an Oster bread machine. The bread is made in loaf form, has nine plus settings and produces perfect bread mostly by itself in a little over three hours. Along with the machine, I ordered The Bread Machine Cookbook by Donna Rathmell German. It was her first book and I …