Some of the therapies used during OT sessions include: range-of-motion exercises, deep heat therapy with paraffin wax and heating pads, mild strength training with Theraputty, and the creation of several unique finger splints used to encourage correction of the finger deformities I had developed. 

We decided which wrist splints (that I already owned) were preferred for maximum fit and protection.  And, I learned the value of sleeping in compression gloves which help to limit swelling from mild edema and provide an increased level of comfort in the mornings.  The occupational therapist also showed me better ways to cope with day-to-day tasks at work and at home, despite limitations caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

The journey to this point in time had been long and involved a few detours along the way.  Fortunate for me, what was believed to be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was not, so I never did need surgery.  After the active inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis was under control and after the effects of the steroid injections into my wrists had worn off, I did not experience a return of the carpal tunnel pain in my wrists and hands.  I even found that, after about six months, I no longer needed to sleep in wrist splints.

Since then, I’ve been learning how to manage the varying symptoms of having multiple chronic illnesses which include rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.  Sometimes it’s a question of “What is it which is causing my troubles today?”  Other times, it’s a blessing to realize that I’m not experiencing any great pain or disability.

Such is life, unpredictable, variable, and full of unknowns.  But one known factor which I can share with you is that I will be writing here at MyRACentral.com on the topic of rheumatoid arthritis and dealing with it while living with other chronic illness.

Lisa Emrich is author of the blog Brass and Ivory: Life with MS and RA and founder of the Carnival of MS Bloggers.