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AIBU?

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Original poster

Rheumatoid Arthritis

31 replies

Angels1111 · 28/01/2026 10:09

I'm in the early stages of diagnosis for this. It's come on quite suddenly with pain and stiffness in my joints every few days. Although have suspected something is wrong for a while. GP wants to do another blood test in 6 weeks to see if was an infection instead of RA. So I'm unlikely to get any medical support for a while.

Does anyone have a diagnosis and can help talk me through what's next?

What exercises help? What makes it worse? What foods help? What makes it worse? Any other lifestyle changes? I'm not sure why I wake up fine some mornings and not others.

OP posts:
Original poster
Angels1111 · 28/01/2026 20:53

huffdragon · 28/01/2026 12:56

Diagnosis can take a while for reasons your GP has given you but I would ask to be referred to an early arthritis clinic if things don’t improve. There are many types of arthritis but there is a test for the rheumatoid factor specifically if you have RA. That would be my next request if you haven’t had it done.

What can help - I have never found any specific diets any help and I tried them all. Healthy diet is your best bet, high fibre, lots of healthy veg and so on. Don’t exercise when you are in a flare but walking and keeping active is good. Anti inflammatories will help keep any inflammation down. Hot showers or baths can help with pain and stiffness. Wrist supports or compression gloves can help with hands, especially in cold weather. Rest, sleep and so on. Early diagnosis is your best bet to start on some disease modifying drugs and they will be prescribed by the hospital so getting into the system is important. Good luck. It’s a worrying time but the drugs these days are excellent.

Thanks, this is really helpful. I am walking and stretching when in a flare, and find I need to rest a lot more than usual, and have more energy in the evening.
I'm so glad the drugs are good now. It's just so random as it's come on so suddenly for me!

OP posts:
Original poster
Angels1111 · 28/01/2026 20:51

BookArt55 · 28/01/2026 11:36

Cold weather can increase symptoms, so gloves etc depending where your pain is.
Strengthening exercises- again, depends where yours is. Googling it to find support.
Don't stop moving- keep exercising, stretches.

Thanks that's really helpful. Today was suddenly icy again so maybe that's what triggered another flare

OP posts:
Original poster
Angels1111 · 28/01/2026 20:51

MeridaBrave · 28/01/2026 10:10

My mum has this and followed a very very limited diet, which has made a significant difference. Look up “cliff’s cure” or paleo autoimmune protocol .

Oo thank you! Nightshades going out immediately and looking into other tips

OP posts:
huffdragon · 28/01/2026 12:56

Diagnosis can take a while for reasons your GP has given you but I would ask to be referred to an early arthritis clinic if things don’t improve. There are many types of arthritis but there is a test for the rheumatoid factor specifically if you have RA. That would be my next request if you haven’t had it done.

What can help - I have never found any specific diets any help and I tried them all. Healthy diet is your best bet, high fibre, lots of healthy veg and so on. Don’t exercise when you are in a flare but walking and keeping active is good. Anti inflammatories will help keep any inflammation down. Hot showers or baths can help with pain and stiffness. Wrist supports or compression gloves can help with hands, especially in cold weather. Rest, sleep and so on. Early diagnosis is your best bet to start on some disease modifying drugs and they will be prescribed by the hospital so getting into the system is important. Good luck. It’s a worrying time but the drugs these days are excellent.

BookArt55 · 28/01/2026 11:36

Cold weather can increase symptoms, so gloves etc depending where your pain is.
Strengthening exercises- again, depends where yours is. Googling it to find support.
Don't stop moving- keep exercising, stretches.

MeridaBrave · 28/01/2026 10:10

My mum has this and followed a very very limited diet, which has made a significant difference. Look up “cliff’s cure” or paleo autoimmune protocol .