The exact course of rheumatoid arthritis is different for nearly everyone with the disease, but there are ways to limit its damage and live better.

The days after a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be confusing.

You may need to cope with new medications, doctors, and lifestyle changes along with the pain that now has a name.

But the steps you take early on to manage your condition can help protect your overall health, limit complications, and prevent your symptoms from worsening.

Stick to your medication regimen. Chances are that you’ll need to take prescription medications to control the inflammation that comes with RA, and it may take trial and error to find the ones that give you the most relief.  

You might also have a hard time just getting used to the fact that you will need RA medication therapy for the rest of your life, says Beth Jonas, MD, a rheumatologist and clinical associate professor at the Thurston Arthritis Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Taking your medicine at the dose and frequency prescribed is the best way to successfully treat the disease. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, like methotrexate, and biologics such as adalimumab, help slow down RA-induced joint damage, but don’t always kick in right away.

“Methotrexate can take 8 weeks to get a response,” Dr. Jonas says. “Patients really have to stick with their therapies and give them time to work.”

Develop healthy habits. When you’re dealing with RA pain, exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do. But regular physical activity can help you increase your flexibility, keep your joints supple, and maintain muscle strength — all important to maintaining maximum function.

If you’re overweight, exercise can also help you shed extra pounds. “If you maintain a healthy body weight, you won’t stress your joints as much,” Jonas says. Try to exercise more when your RA symptoms are at a minimum, and dial it back when the pain flares up.

Eating a sensible RA diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is also a must, not only for weight loss but for overall health, too.

“We encourage patients to eat healthy and not overdo it on sweets or high-cholesterol foods,” says Jonathan Samuels, MD, a rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine at the Center for Musculoskeletal Care at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

Ask your doctors about other health screenings. Having rheumatoid arthritis puts you at risk for osteoporosis and other medical conditions.

You may want to ask your doctor about getting a bone-density test, which detects low bone mass and can predict your chance of developing bone fractures. Having RA also increases the risk for heart disease, so screening for early signs of coronary trouble is important.

“Anyone with RA should have their cholesterol checked,” Dr. Samuels says. “You should also check blood pressure, and tell your doctor about symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.”

Get enough sleep. Turns out, your mother was right about sleep. It's always a must for good health, and sleeping well when you have RA is especially important.

Getting eight to 10 hours of shut-eye a night, plus naps during the day, if needed, can prevent RA flare-ups and help you recover from them more quickly. Plus, aching joints may seem even more painful if you’re tired.

“If you’re not well-rested, you’re not going to be able to cope with pain, dysfunction, and all the other things that come with RA,” Jonas says.

Find a support community. When you’re first learning to manage your RA, you may feel overwhelmed, alone, or depressed. Finding a group of people who are also dealing with rheumatoid arthritis could lift your spirits, plus you can glean great coping strategies from those who have had the disease for a long time.

Ask the staff at your doctor’s office or local hospital about any groups near you or call your local Arthritis Foundation for more information.

“If you meet someone who’s had the disease for a while and has an active, productive life, it’s helpful to see that,” Jonas says. “They’re out there, and it’s a very common disease.”

Obtain assistive devices. If your RA is caught in the early stages, you probably won’t need any special medical equipment.

But if your RA wasn’t diagnosed until it reached a more advanced stage, you might benefit from a cane or devices to assist with everyday tasks, like opening jars.

“It might be good to get a physical or occupational therapy evaluation,” Jonas says. “Sometimes therapists will make assistive devices or prescribe specific ones.” Ask your doctor for a referral or recommendation for a therapist.

Being proactive about your health can help you slow down the effects of RA, rather than letting RA slow you down.