Most people with rheumatoid arthritis are faced with frequent or ongoing pain. While you may not be able to avoid pain, you can take control of the situation. Is the pain of rheumatoid arthritis starting to affect your life? There are specific positive steps you can take to live with it -- but keep it in its place:

Get Educated About Arthritis Pain

Understanding your pain will better help you deal with it. There are a number of types of pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Acute pain from inflammation. Anyone with rheumatoid arthritis knows the pain that comes with a flare.
Pain from joint damage. Joints may become damaged over time by rheumatoid arthritis and cause pain even though your arthritis itself is inactive.
Exacerbation of pain. After living a long time with pain and the other struggles of rheumatoid arthritis, you can get stressed and worn out. The real pain you feel is made worse by your emotional state.

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis will experience all of these types of pain. This can become a complicated and overwhelming situation and requires an overall approach.

There are educational programs available to help people who have to live with pain. The benefits they provide can make a big difference.

Learn how pain works, why it happens, and what it means.
Gain coping and life-management skills for when you are in pain.
Get trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy or biofeedback. These are methods of reducing the pain you feel by using your mind.

Contact the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) to find your local chapter and sign up.

Come Up With a Pain Management Plan

When pain strikes, consider it a signal to take positive action, not to give in and suffer. Even if you are not able to eliminate pain completely, you are doing what you can to help yourself. There are a number of tools at your disposal to manage pain. Experiment until you find what works for you.

Pain-relieving medicines. Consider taking your pain medicines on a schedule, rather than waiting until you are in more pain and have to play "catch-up." Severe rheumatoid arthritis pain usually requires maximum doses of NSAIDs, although side effects must be considered at higher doses.
Meditation and relaxation. Escape from stressful situations and relax your mind. Meditation can help relieve pain, and it is a skill that can be learned.
Distraction. Focusing on pain makes it worse, not better. Do something you enjoy instead - or any activity that keeps you busy and has you thinking about something else.
Heat, cold, and massage. These tried-and-true treatments are easy and can provide some quick relief for mild symptoms.

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WebMD Medical Reference

Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide

Overview & Facts

Symptoms & Types

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment & Care

Home Remedies

Finding Help

Do You Have Fibromyalgia Pain?

Cymbalta is approved for the management of fibromyalgia.

Important Safety Information

Cymbalta^® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

You should also know that:

Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
Cymbalta^® is not approved for use in patients under age 18.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:

You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
You are taking Mellaril^® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
about your alcohol use
if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life threatening condition
if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?

The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

Safety Information and Boxed Warning | Prescribing Information | Medication Guide