A common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is waking up with stiff or painful joints. Many people with RA struggle to get moving in the morning, which can affect their daily life and well-being. Here are some tips to help relieve morning pain!
Most RA patients and rheumatologists agree that morning pain significantly impacts a person’s quality of life. About 18% of patients say their RA pain makes it hard for them to work. Even though handling morning pain can be tough, there are ways to ease it and improve your daily function.
RA is a long-term autoimmune disorder that mainly affects the joints. It usually develops within weeks, though sometimes it can appear in just a few days. RA causes joints to become inflamed, swollen, painful, stiff, and lose function, typically affecting the same joints on both sides of the body, particularly the limbs.
While RA is often lumped together with other types of arthritis, it’s different from conditions like osteoarthritis, despite having similar symptoms. The exact cause of RA is unknown, so treatments focus on symptom relief. These may include medications such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although these drugs can reduce pain and inflammation, their effectiveness can decrease over time, and they may cause serious side effects. That’s why doctors often suggest lifestyle and dietary changes along with medication.
Exercise is one helpful remedy, as it can improve joint function. For morning stiffness, non-drug therapies are often recommended. These include simple stretches, exercises, applying heat to the joints, taking hot baths or showers, or delaying activities until later in the day. However, these techniques may not always sufficiently relieve symptoms.
Research suggests that the body’s internal clock may play a role in morning stiffness. A study found that low cortisol levels at night and high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6, in the morning contribute to stiffness. The drug Lodotra, though not FDA-approved, has shown promise in reducing morning stiffness by lowering IL-6 levels. Ideally taken at 10 PM, Lodotra starts working about four hours later, offering a more convenient option than nighttime glucocorticoids, which can disturb sleep.
Adjusting your sleep environment can also help. Sleep in a warm but not overly hot room to avoid sleep disruption. Use heating pads on affected joints and find a sleeping position that doesn’t put pressure on your joints.
Managing stress is another important aspect. If you’re dealing with stress, talking to a therapist and finding ways to manage it can be beneficial.
Dealing with RA pain isn’t easy, especially since it tends to be more intense in the morning and eases as the day goes on. Most people need to be active in the morning for work or other responsibilities. When RA pain hampers your ability to function, it can cause problems in both work and daily life. While doctors recommend stretches and warm baths in the morning to relieve pain, these methods aren’t always enough. Lifestyle and dietary changes, along with stress management, can also help alleviate symptoms.
