If you’ve ever asked yourself what RA joint pain feels like, you’re not alone—and as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain isn’t just your typical ache or stiffness after a long day. It’s deep, persistent, and can feel downright cruel. One of my…
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, can RA cause depression?, you’re not alone — and as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve heard this question more times than I can count. Rheumatoid Arthritis isn’t just about joint pain and stiffness. It’s not just physical — it’s emotional, it’s mental, and it can quietly take a toll…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a journey that affects every part of your life—from how you move to how you eat. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how inflammation can hijack even the simplest daily tasks. But here’s the thing: small changes in our lifestyle, especially what we put on our plate…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition I’ve seen up close in my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, and one topic that often comes up in discussions with patients is the role of nutrition and supplements in managing symptoms. One supplement that’s sparked a lot of interest lately is magnesium. You might wonder, how does…
Let’s talk about something I see a lot in my clinic — rheumatoid arthritis and iron deficiency. If you’re living with RA, and you’re feeling unusually tired (like more than your usual flare-up fatigue), you might be surprised to learn your iron levels could be to blame. It’s a topic I often dive into with…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re probably all too familiar with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. But what many people—and even some healthcare professionals—don’t realize is that RA and brain inflammation can go hand in hand. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this disease extends far beyond the joints. In…
If there’s one question I hear over and over from my patients, it’s this: “Is there a connection between my rheumatoid arthritis and sugar?” And let me tell you, after years working as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, diving into research, and listening closely to patients’ lived experiences, the answer is far from simple — but…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you probably already know that what you eat can either help ease your symptoms or make them flare up. Over the years, working closely with patients as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how some foods can be real troublemakers for those battling this chronic autoimmune condition….
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and skin dryness can feel like a double whammy. I see this often in my clinic. Patients come in focused on their joint pain, but as we dig deeper, they’ll often say, “Oh, and my skin’s been super dry lately too—could it be related?” Absolutely. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve…