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How Will the Doctor Help?

February 5, 2008 2:56 PM

How Will the Doctor Help?

After the doctor knows what kind of arthritis you have, he or she will talk with you about the best way to treat it. The doctor may give you a prescription for medicine that will help with the pain, stiffness, and infl ammation. Health insurance or public assistance may help you pay for the medicine, doctor visits, tests, and x rays.

To get your medicine, take your prescription to your local drugstore or send it to your mail-order provider.

What If I Still Hurt?

Sometimes you might still have pain after using your medicine. Here are some things to try:
  • Take a warm shower.
  • Do some gentle stretching exercises.
  • Use an ice pack on the sore area.
  • Rest the sore joint.
If you still hurt after using your medicine correctly and doing one or more of these things, call your doctor. Another kind of medicine might work better for you. Some people can also benefit from surgery, such as joint replacement.

Using an ice pack on a sore joint can help relieve pain.

 

You Can Feel Better!

Arthritis can damage your joints, internal organs, and skin. There are things you can do to keep the damage from getting worse. They might also make you feel better:
  • Try to keep your weight down. Too much weight can make your knees and hips hurt.
  • Exercise. Moving all of your joints will help you. The doctor or nurse can show you how to move more easily. Going for a walk every day will help, too.
  • Take your medicines when and how you are supposed to. They can help reduce pain and stiffness.
  • Try taking a warm shower in the morning.
  • See your doctor regularly.
  • Seek information that can help you.

Keeping active may help reduce the stiffness in your joints.