RA is unpredictable and often appears to follow a random and uncertain course. The frustration of this uncertainty can in itself be a significant impediment to effective coping. Why? Because you cannot predict when you will have a bad day. Nor can you predict when you will have a good day. This makes planning ahead difficult, and it means there will be times when plans made will become plans changed.
People with RA often feel as if they are on an emotional roller coaster: Just when things appear to be under control, a flare-up of arthritis occurs and changes everything. A life that is full of “ups and downs” is difficult to deal with, but flexibility -learning to make adjustments to changes – can help you avoid becoming discouraged. You will need to remain flexible, and you will need to adjust your expectations and plans regularly.
The key to flexibility is expecting and accepting unpredictability. If you accept the unpredictable nature of RA, you won’t feel quite so disappointed when your arthritis acts up. Ask yourself, “Am I better prepared to deal with this flare-up than I was a month ago?” Most likely you are. You will learn how to deal with each flare-up without allowing it to knock you down. Many people adjust to the unpredictability by backing up their scheduled plans with contingency arrangements. Many people use coping strategies to solve new problems as they occur. These people don’t passively let life happen to them; they take steps to prepare themselves for what life brings their way. Learning and perfecting strategies for coping with change is the successful antidote for the unpredictability of RA.
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