Rheumatoid Arthritis
My Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is no fun. I have been suffering from RA many years. Before I understood what was wrong with me I made frequent trips to the ER wondering what in the world was wrong with me. I would vacuum my house and I would feel like my shoulder was broken… I would walk to far and my hip wouldn't work right. Blood tests finally confirmed I had RA I was put on pill after pill for years still dealing with pain. Finally in 2010 I met a doctor that put me on Enbrel. I injected this medication every week. It took the edge off and life was a little more tolerable. I then became pregnant and decided to stop my meds for a healthy pregnancy. However, I was pregnant with twins and they didn't survive in my womb they developed Unequal Placenta Sharing 💔💔. I was 28 weeks. After this (almost 7 months of horrible pain), I went back on Enbrel it was working well. I still lived with pain of RA but it was once again manageable. About a year and a half went by and I became pregnant again. My doctor advised me to stay on enbrel so I did. My pregnancy was smoothe and much better than the last. I gave birth to a very healthy 8lb 12oz boy via c-section. A few months after my son was born my meds started to work less and less so my doctor took me off Enbrel and put me on Methotrexate. I have been on Methotrexate now going on 2 years almost. I'm not totally satisfied with this medication. I'm always tired and I still have painful days. Might be switching again. I'll keep you all posted with future updates on my arthritis.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (commonly called RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. RA affects more than 1.3 million Americans. 75 percent of people that are affected is RA are women. This disease affects so many woman that 1/3 percent of women may get RA in their lifetime. The disease most often affects people between the fourth and sixth decades of life. However, RA can start at any age. RA is triggered by a faulty immune system.[1a] RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks joint tissue, causing inflammation of the joint lining. This symptoms will cause loss of normal movement.[2a]
I wrote this article to help you understand what is rheumatoid arthritis and learn more about the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Also you will learn about my daily life with rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Athritis
Rheumatoid athritis is a chronic disease. Chronic disease is a disease lasting 3 months or more this is the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. RA can also be called a persistent disease. The symptoms of a persistent disease like RA can come and go or symptoms can increase or decrease unpredictably. One example of that can be inflammation, periods of increase disease activity or periods of decrease or remission inflammation.[2b]
The following can be symptoms of rheumatoid athritis pain, swelling, warm joints, stiffness, inflummation, fatigue, occasional fever, a general feeling of discomfort, limited motion and function of many joints. Inflummation can also affect organs as eyes and lungs. Stiffness and pain can last a long time and is usually in the mornings. RA is the only arthritis that causes stiffness in long periods of time. This symptoms can be felt in hands, wrist, finger joints, neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and/or feet. This symptoms can be felt on one side of the body or symmetrical meaning that can be on both sides of the body. For example only one wrist or both wrists.[2c]
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The cause of Rheumatoid athritis is most likely genetic that cause the faulty immune system. This means that certain cells of the immune system do not work properly and start attacking healthy tissues. Currently it is not known why RA happens. Further research is currently being done. The inflammation that is caused by RA is in the synovium. The synovium is the tissue that lines the joint. Immune cells release inflammation causing chemicals. These chemicals can damage cartilage. Cartilage is the tissue that cushions between joints) and bone. Other things likely play a role in RA as well.[1b]
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
It's hard to diagnosis Rheumatoid Arthritis because the symptoms are common with other disease at the begin stages of RA. If you feel any symptoms that were mentioned above consult with your primary care physician and if your doctor thinks you have RA, you should see a rheumatologist. Your rheymatologist will take some exams such as warmth, swelling and pain in the joints. X-rays and blood tests also can help confirm RA.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Treated
With medication in some patients the disease goes into remission or gives relief to patients. There is no current cure for RA. Doctors gives medication to the patient to reduce the patients symptoms. Medication can help prevent further permanent joint damage. Different treatment are used on patients because there is not one single treatment that works for all patients.
Good control of RA requires early diagnosis and, at times, aggressive treatment. Thus, patients with a diagnosis of RA should begin their treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs — referred to as DMARDs. These drugs not only relieve symptoms but also slow progression of the disease. Often, doctors prescribe DMARDs along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs and/or low-dose corticosteroids, to lower swelling, pain and fever. DMARDs have greatly improved the symptoms, function and quality of life for nearly all patients with RA. Ask your rheumatologist about the need for DMARD therapy and the risks and benefits of these drugs.[1c]
Common DMARDs include methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo), leflunomide (Arava), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).[1d]
Patients with more serious disease may need medications called biologic response modifiers or “biologic agents.” They can target the parts of the immune system and the signals that lead to inflammation and joint and tissue damage. FDA-approved drugs of this type include abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), anakinra (Kineret), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi) infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan, MabThera) and tocilizumab (Actemra). Most often, patients take these drugs with methotrexate, as the mix of medicines is more helpful.[1e]
You will have multiply visits with your rheumatologist to perform exams. The exams will determine if the medication is working or the medication is causing side affects. Your rheumatologist will determine if you should continue the same treatment or a new treatment will be issued to you.
Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Having rheumatoid arthritis can affect other parts of you body for example be more prone to heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor about how rheumatoid arthritis can affect your body.
Doing light physically active sometimes like walking or aerobic exercises is good. You will sometimes encounter some flares. When you feel tired or feel your joints are inflamed perform gentle range of motion exercises, such as stretching. This will keep the joint flexible.[1f]
When you first find that you have rheumatoid arthritis may feel worry and sometimes feelings of isolation or depression. Talk to your health care provider but also there are support groups that can help you with information or just talking. For treatment and professional help please contact your doctor.
