RA
I did as much research as I could and I took ownership of this illness, because if you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live - Karen Duffy
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image by: Arthritis Support
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What’s the Big Deal about Rheumatoid Disease?
Just how big of a deal is this disease? I suppose the fact that I’ve written several hundred pages about it is a clue to my opinion. Yet, most of those articles were written with intentional restraint, avoiding hyperbole, at times even understating my own symptoms in an attempt to be more judicious.
Many view Rheumatoid disease as something less than what it is and that leads to outrageous minimizing of facts related to it. Unfortunately, that is even done by many who have been charged with researching or reporting concerning the disease.
Over the last three years, I’ve communicated with those who do not have RA using as little emotion as possible because as an RA patient,…
Resources
My RA Toolbox
If you’re reading this, you probably cope with the frequent joint pain caused by rheumatoid disease (arthritis), too. And if you’re like me, you go through all kinds of gyrations before finally succumbing to swallowing an opioid.
On The Freedom That RA Has Brought Into My Life
I’ve gotten used to people attacking me for the way I treat/manage my RA. But that’s okay. Because in the end, the only person who knows what’s right for me, is…me.
All Flared Up and Nowhere To Go
In 2002 Kathleen Turner partnered with Wyeth, the maker of RA drug Enbrel, to let others know that RA does not have to mean a lifetime of limitations, pain, and unanswered questions.
Competition Heats Up in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Autoimmune Conditions
With the wide variety of treatment options currently available and more in the pipeline, payers are faced with the challenge of identifying the most clinically and economically effective allocation of treatments for RA.
Fight against rheumatoid arthritis may unlock secrets to heart disease and depression
There is no cure. Rheumatoid arthritis progresses inexorably over time, causing sufferers to lose function, independence and ultimately years of life expectancy. The disease is associated with loss of work productivity, employability and increased health care costs, so there is also an increased financial burden on family and community. The disease’s first existence is found in bone remains located in Alabama dating back thousands of years. It emerges in Europe depicted in visual arts around the 15th century.
Immunology of the Rheumatoid Joint
This animation guides us through the immune pathways involved in the disease, from the first signs of self-reactive immune cells to joint damage and other symptoms.
Joint Pain, From the Gut
Scientists don't know what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but many suspect that the microbiome—the bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tracts—may be to blame.
Medical Marijuana For Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Cannabis may be useful for people with RA and other chronic pain conditions because it can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote sleep. But unlike other pain-causing conditions, such as osteoarthritis, RA is associated with a higher risk of lung problems and heart attacks.
RA can’t be that bad?
Have you ever heard anyone say that RA can’t be that bad? Or more likely, is there ever a day when someone does not hear that RA can’t be that bad? Almost every day someone let’s me know they can tell I’m exaggerating how disabled I am, how bad it hurts, or how hard I am trying. But how do they know?
RA Life Expectancy: Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Life Span?
The predicted life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is problematic to accurately calculate due to the vast amount of unpredictable variables involved. As a chronic disease, RA tends to be progressive. In other words, it is a long-term disease in which symptoms tend to accumulate over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Diseases
In theory, it may seem like management of autoimmune diseases is pretty straightforward. Essentially, the goal is to first diagnose the type of disease in order to evaluate prognosis, then aim to suppress the inflammatory process with methods and medications most appropriate for the disease while keeping the side-effect profile as benign as possible. For patients going through this process, though, it is anything but “straightforward.”
Switching RA Medicines – Don’t Wait Too Long or Try Too Many
Switching medicines when one doesn’t work is an important therapeutic strategy that rheumatologist and patients can use in an attempt to keep the disease at bay.
Through The Looking Glass
I used to think that accepting the reality of my rheumatoid arthritis meant that I would be giving in to this disease. As long as I grabbed on to the life that I wanted (thus avoiding what was obviously becoming the life that I had), I figured that I would be okay. For a while this actually seemed to work, and I thought I was happy. But as my RA continued to progress, I became more miserable, and less able to cope with what was happening to both my body and my mind.
What I'd Like the World to Know About Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is what I want those who love me to know, and what I wish the rest of the world understood about living with chronic disease. Please don’t tell me to keep a positive attitude.
What’s the Big Deal about Rheumatoid Disease?
Just how big of a deal is this disease? I suppose the fact that I’ve written several hundred pages about it is a clue to my opinion.
8 things people with rheumatoid arthritis want you to know
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive and disabling autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects 35-70 million people worldwide. There’s more to RA than just developing stiff joints as you get older...
My RA Diary
A holistic journey towards healing rheumatoid arthritis.
My Rheumatoid Arthritis Journey
Raising awareness and understanding of RA.
RA Chicks
Are you a RA chick? Come together. Make friends. Meet other amazing chicks with RA!
RA Guy
Surround yourself with people who make you hungry for life, touch your heart, and nourish your soul. Unknown
RA Guy Foundation
The RA Guy Foundation surrounds the person affected by rheumatoid arthritis with vibrant, life-changing connection. It shares powerful, much-needed programs and resources across the rheumatoid arthritis community so the person affected learns to truly LIVE with the illness. This includes the family, the friends, the treatment team intimately connected to the person at the heart of this new path to wellness.
RAWarrior
RA Warrior is an independent website and community dedicated to bringing the best information & support to fight RA. RA Warrior was created in 2009 by Kelly O’Neill Young. Kelly believes that you are the superhero and celebrity needed to fight your own disease.
Rheum For More
Right answers for rheumatoid arthritis.
RheumaBlog
Same dragon, different day. I’m a writer and editor, a journalist, a mom and a wife, a cat-friend and a dog-friend. I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis for almost 28 years, but until I started this blog in 2009, I’d never written about it. I figured it was about time.
Rheumaology.org
People have long feared rheumatoid arthritis (commonly called RA) as one of the most disabling types of arthritis. The good news is that the outlook has greatly improved for many people with newly diagnosed (detected) RA. Of course, RA remains a serious disease, and one that can vary widely in symptoms (what you feel) and outcomes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation
Our mission is guided by a relentless focus to help fight RA. We will strive to bring inspiration and motivation to everyone who suffers with this disease. We promote a healthy lifestyle to patients with RA through education, information, coaching and support working within our local communities. We are committed to maintaining respect and integrity in all aspects of our mission.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication List
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the second most common type of arthritis...The main goal of RA drugs is to block inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network (RASN) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information and resources for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Our goal is simple. We want RA patients to know their options and fully understand their diagnosis. You can take steps, right now, to improve symptoms and your quality of life.
RheumatoidArthritis.net
At RheumatoidArthritis.net we empower patients and caregivers to take control of RA by providing a platform to learn, educate, and connect with peers and healthcare professionals.
RheumoInfo
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. When the cartilage in a joint begins to break down, it results in swelling and pain in the joint. As cartilage continues to wear away, bones begin to rub against each other. This bone-on-bone contact causes stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joint.
A Figment Of Fitness
My adventure through getting more fit and coping with forever conditions.
All Flared Up: An Arthritis Blog
Living rather than wallowing.
An Attitude of Gratitude
One woman's journey to learn to live life from a place of gratitude while fighting Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Arthritic Chick
I have reached a certain peace with my life as it is. I have accepted that I will probably always have pain somewhere in my body. At the same time I realise there are many who are FAR worse off than me, and there are worse things than Rheumatoid Arthritis...So this is my blog. I hope I’ll connect with lots of other people out there like myself. I’ll be writing about Rheumatoid Arthritis and my life, my pain, my battle with doctors…and the beautiful people I’ve met along the way.
Arthritis Action
Rheumatoid arthritis is completely different to osteoarthritis which affects most of us as we get older. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people of any age including very young children and it is a condition where the immune system which usually protects us from infections, starts to attack the joints causing pain, stiffness and swelling.
Arthritis Ashley
Living a positive life while chronically ill.
Arthritis.org
An acronym for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, DMARDs are drugs that work to modify the course of the disease. Traditional DMARDs include methotrexate, hydroxycholorquine, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.
Carla's Corner
Day by day with RA.
From This Point Forward
I starting writing this blog in September 2008 and I decided in my very first post that I would have to start by taking my new life one day at a time. Since then, this blog has been a very honest record of how I have adjusted to life with RA by always trying to look forward.
Humira
HUMIRA is a prescription medicine used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults, may prevent further damage to your bones and joints, and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
Inflamed: Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis
In 2007, Angela Lundberg started the blog Inflamed: Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis as a kind of personal diary—a venue through which to express all the conflicting emotions that living with RA had incited in her. Soon enough, Lundberg had a loyal following. Readers have likely flocked to her posts because they appreciate the honest and open way she writes about her fears, hopes, highs, and lows with RA - Healthline
itis
Thanks for stopping by. Originally, I wanted to provide a place where patients could learn about RA and related issues. This site will be a cross between informational website & personal blog.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
The publication describes how rheumatoid arthritis develops, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated, including what people can do to help manage their disease. It also highlights current research efforts supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases...
National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
We aim to provide information and support for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), their families, friends and carers, as well as health professionals with an interest in RA
Orencia
From understanding moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to exploring comprehensive patient support, including copay assistance, get the facts you need to know, all in one place.
Remicade Dream
A musician's life with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
The Life and Adventures of Cateepoo
Through my journey, I have discovered a strength I never knew existed. My goal on my blog is to promote the most important lesson I've learned through living with rheumatoid arthritis - no matter what life brings you, there is always reason to be happy.
CDC
RA can be effectively treated and managed with medication(s) and self-management strategies. Treatment for RA usually includes the use of medications which slow disease and prevent joint deformity, called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs); biological response modifiers (biologicals) are medications that are an effective second-line treatment. In addition to medications, people can manage their RA with self-management strategies proven to reduce pain and disability, allowing them to pursue the activities important to them
Patient
Biological medicines work in RA by blocking chemicals that are involved in inflammation. For example, some of these biological medicines block a chemical called TNF-alpha which plays an important role in causing inflammation in joints in RA. One problem with biological medicines is that they need to be given by injection.
Radiopaedia
RA has an overall prevalence of 0.5-1%. There is a female predominance, with the disease being 2-3 times more common in women.
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