At this stage, exercises won't help. I've found the best way to cope with the RA is to rest during a flare and exercise and strengthen the affected part when the flare is over - not that it helps a great deal, but my joints tend to be a bit "floppy" after a flare from the inflammation and are quite prone to injury if I'm not careful.

What I need is the things to avoid, and the ways to move so as not to aggravate it more. Unless something I do is really WRONG, it generally won't hurt too much at the time, but I'll be in agony later, so I don't always have the pain immediately to remind me not to do it.

Although, last night I stupidly sat cross-legged on the floor to help Sam eat his dinner (at his little table instead of the main dining table because DH wasn't home and we weren't all eating yet). OMG!!! The PAIN! So I have definitely learned that there's no sitting on the floor for me for a while, and I've remembered enough to get in and out of the car with my knees together - but that's about it, but I'm sure there's more.

BW