Top 10 Facts Everyone Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Top10 things people with Rheumatoid Arthritis want all non arthritis fighters ( or non autoimmune type arthritis...trust me there is a HUGE difference in the two) to understand



1 .Know there are many forms of arthritis!

Example: Osteo arthritis is from aging and in no way the same as Rheumatoid Arthritis (aka RA OR RD) RA is an autoimmune disease which means something triggers the persons own immune system to attack otherwise healthy joints,skin eyes and even internal organs!

2 .There is no cure

Don't believe the TV commercials that put RA down to be a minor disease that can be healed by there magical medicines they advertise on TV. These are paid actors just trying to sell a particular drug companies medicine.

3 .Vitamins and exercise are not gonna make me better

I have nothing against vitamins and exercise but neither will cure your RA. I don't care if your 2nd cousins aunts step sons half brother said he was cured by it...HE DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE RA TO START WITH or that persons RA is on the very mild side and they went into remission.

4 .RA pain and flares are unpredictable

I've found the more I push myself to do things such as get groceries or do some lite housework my pain actually spikes. You can be virtually pain free then a few hours later in misery. To say RA is unpredictable is a major
understatement

5 .Pain levels vary from person to person day by day

No two people with RA are alike. It can range from mild,moderate to severe. Mine so happens to be in the severe category.

6 .RA Medicines are harsh and dangerous but without them we can not function

If you listen to most medicine commercials for RA or PsA the side effects are quite serious. Your chance for serious infections is greatly increased and some have even died. You have to really listen to your body. If you feel you are getting something as simple as a cold or sinus infection it is important that you talk to your doctor and chances are you will have to lay off your medicines till you are better or it could turn into a life threatening illness otherwise.

7 .It is not all in my head

Many people think someone with RA is overreacting or don't believe that the person with RA is actually in pain. The reason is that RA is an "Invisible Illness" and people have trouble believing you if they can not "see" your pain. I can reassure you THE PAIN IS VERY REAL!

8 .Don't compare my debilitating pain to yours or act like you have a clue as to what it is like to live with it if you don't have the exact same form &severity of arthritis!!

Since RA ranges from mild to severe and no two cases are just a like
It is best to not compare your RA even with another fellow RA fighter

9 .RA is an autoimmune disease

RA happens when something triggers a persons immune system to go haywire and causes ones own immune system to work against them instead of for them. The immune system of an RA fighter attacks otherwise healthy joints,organs,eyes and skin which results in joint damage and destruction and internal organ damage



10 .Your understanding is appreciated...your medical advice is NOT

Please don't play doctor. We just want you to trust we are doing all we can to control our disease. It is a very personal choice if a person does or does not decide to use these harsh RA drugs. Some people luck up and find a medicine that works to control the pain and can tolerate the side effects of that medicine. I myself even after 20 yrs of RA am searching for that medicine that helps control the pain and inflammation and joint destruction .