Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) resources you may find useful
The following resources have been compiled to help you find support in managing your rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We hope you find them useful.
Treatment Information
Useful information about your RINVOQ® treatment
Starting your treatment journey with RINVOQ®: a booklet for patients
This booklet is a guide for patients who have been prescribed RINVOQ® for autoimmune conditions including RA.
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Consumer Medicine Information
The CMI contains information on the safe and effective use of RINVOQ®. It gives you important facts you need to know before, during and after taking RINVOQ®.
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Talk with your doctor
We’ve put together a discussion guide that you can take along to your rheumatologist visit in order to share your symptoms.
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10 Weeks to Create a Routine
The interactive 10 Weeks to Create a Routine booklet has been designed to help you create a routine with your RINVOQ® medication. Download an interactive pdf version of the booklet here.
Download nowWellness Factsheets
These factsheets offer useful tips on how to improve your overall wellbeing when living with a chronic inflammatory condition, such as RA.
Dealing with Stress
Increased stress levels may have a negative impact on your RA symptoms, or even trigger flare-ups. This factsheet offers tips on how to manage stress.
Download factsheet
Steps to Quit Smoking
Stopping smoking is one of the best choices you can make for your health. Start the journey today by taking the first step.
Take the first step
Mindfulness
Practising mindfulness is all about getting your senses involved, being focused, aware, and in the present. It could boost your psychological well-being.
Download factsheet
Setting Goals
Having clear goals to work towards over your treatment journey can help set you up for success.
Download factsheet
Fatigue and Sleep
With a chronic condition such as yours, fighting fatigue can be a challenge. Getting a good night’s sleep is very important.
Get a better sleep
Managing Pain
Pain can be a symptom of RA that is difficult to manage. This factsheet provides a list of different ways to manage pain that complements your RA medications.
Download factsheet
Exercise
Staying active with RA may be difficult, but regular stretching and low-intensity exercises can help with your symptoms. This factsheet offers ways to stay active with RA.
Download factsheet
A Healthy Diet
Although no diet has been proven to treat RA symptoms, complementing your RA treatment with a healthy diet may help you feel better overall. This factsheet offers some useful tips.
Download factsheet
Communicating and Getting Support
There’s a whole range of different support options available, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. This factsheet provides information about where you can get support for your RA.
Download factsheetPodcast Series
Me First. My Condition Second.
A podcast about living with chronic inflammatory conditions.
This podcast series focuses on people first, their disease second. We meet people living with chronic inflammatory conditions and learn from their experiences. We meet experts sharing valuable tips. We aim to give you the tools which may assist living with a chronic condition.
Fatigue
Fatigue has a big impact on the lives of many people with chronic inflammatory conditions. Listen to registered nurse, Fiona and psoriatic arthritis patient, Anne-Maree as they discuss the effects of fatigue and what steps she has taken.
Sleep
Pain has a habit of robbing you of sleep when you have a chronic inflammatory condition like arthritis. David and Anne-Maree, who both live with different conditions talk about how this affects them and what steps they’ve taken to help improve their sleep.
Pain and Mobility
Living with a chronic inflammatory condition involves learning to live an active life even when pain tries to stop you. Anne-Maree describes what makes her pain worse, and shares techniques she’s learned to help control it.
Stress
David and Anne-Maree find that having a chronic inflammatory condition is very stressful at times. They’ve both developed strategies to help them cope. Listen as they discuss their experiences with Fiona, a healthcare professional.
Online Resources for Rheumatoid Arthritis
The following external resources provide additional support and information for people living with rheumatoid arthritis in New Zealand.
Arthritis New Zealand
A national voluntary organisation which represents the interests of those with arthritis. It contains information on the condition and its treatment.
arthritis.org.nz
Health Navigator New Zealand
The Health Navigator website provides one place for New Zealanders to find reliable and trustworthy health information and self-care resources. It focuses on promoting clear, consistent messages that enable users to get the information they need at the time they need it.
healthnavigator.org.nz
New Zealand Rheumatology Association
The New Zealand Rheumatology Association (NZRA) is the organisation that represents the rheumatologists of New Zealand. You can use this resource to find a Rheumatologist near you.
rheumatology.org.nz