Scatter Brains and Organizational Disarray...Not long ago, Rob and I were sitting on our front porch listening to the birds sing and watching squirrels scurry around the yard. It was restful and we were...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
What to Ask Your Doctor Before Starting a Biologic for RA...Learning I had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) came with an entire mixed bag of emotions. To be honest, I was really grateful to have an explanation about the severe joint pain...Reactions0reactionsComments41 comments
Is there research linking the Gulf War and rheumatoid arthritis?...I was in the first Gulf War. Retired in 2002. RA reared its ugly head in 2010. I'm fighting with the VA to get a service connection (for six years...Reactions0reactionsComments4 replies
Do my symptoms sound like RA?...I'm undiagnosed but my CRP is 2.3 and my ESR is 43. My symptoms are extreme knee pain, fatigue, brain fog. Does that sound like RA to you? I've been...Reactions0reactionsComments3 repliesSymptomsDiagnosis
Flare Prediction: Do You Know Ahead of Time?...Do you know a week, two weeks, or a few days ahead of a flare that you are going to have one? Do you get that dreaded feeling of, "Oh no...something...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Pacing Myself...November and December mark the general time of year when I start to overdo things. It’s the end of the year and there are just so many things to catch...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Does anyone take Gabapentin for pain relief?...I use Tramadol for flares and was wondering about taking Gabapentin before bed....Reactions0reactionsComments18 repliesTreatmentFlares & Flare Management
What Was I Thinking??..."What was I thinking?" How many times do we say this to ourselves? Never about the same things though. With rheumatoid arthritis and its companions, it is never the same...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Knee replacement and ra...Hi all I was diagnosed 3 months ago with ra and underwent knee replacement 3 weeks ago. Would like to hear how anyone else navigated rehab to avoid flare ups...Reactions0reactionsComments1 repliesExercise
My Family and Me...RA has marched through my family - stomping its hobnail boots on my dad, his mum (nanna), my sister, and me. I remember nanna wearing her splints and letting me...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
Navigating a New Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis...My pathway to RA diagnosis was unfortunately all too common in our community. I struggled with joint pain from the time I was young. I remember the pediatrician recommending Motrin...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Joint Swelling, Tightness or Stiffness...Joint pain, swelling, tightness, and stiffness are the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Joints in the hands, wrists, feet, and knees are usually affected first. Over time, RA...
Knee Inflammation, Swelling, and Stiffness...In most cases, knee pain, swelling, and inflammation develop in the later stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The knee is the largest and strongest joint in the body. When it...
Foot Pain, Swelling, and Inflammation...Foot pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation are extremely common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have found that nearly 90 percent of people with RA experience ankle or foot...
Shoulder Pain, Swelling, and Inflammation...In most cases, shoulder pain and inflammation tend to happen in the later stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in people who are older when they develop RA. It usually...
Elbow Pain, Swelling, and Inflammation...The elbow is a remarkable joint that allows us to position our forearm and hand in space and carry out many different functions, from throwing a ball to removing a...
Wrist Pain...The wrist is a complex joint that allows us to accomplish many of the hand and finger movements we rely on for a range of daily tasks, from unscrewing the...
Hand Pain, Swelling, and Inflammation...We depend on our hands for daily activities, ranging from typing on a computer keyboard and opening a door to threading a sewing needle and opening a can of soup...
