Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about joint pain — it’s about reclaiming your quality of life. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve walked alongside so many patients navigating this chronic illness. I’ve seen the exhaustion in their eyes, the stiffness in their steps, and the frustration of flares that seem to come out…
Let me tell you, as a rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s spent countless hours walking patients through flares, stiffness, and overwhelming fatigue, I’ve had one question come up again and again: how to stop rheumatoid arthritis from progressing. It’s not just a medical concern—it’s deeply personal. When you’re the one waking up with aching joints or…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause low blood pressure? You’d be surprised how often I get asked this question, and honestly—it’s not a simple yes or no. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had plenty of patients who came in for joint pain but ended up sharing symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or even fainting. Naturally, the question…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause anemia? This question comes up a lot in my exam rooms, and honestly, it’s a good one. If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or caring for someone who is, you’ve probably noticed that fatigue seems to follow it like a shadow. But what’s really behind that bone-deep exhaustion? As a…
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your bladder? It’s not a question I get every day, but when I do, the look on a patient’s face tells me everything — surprise, worry, and a tinge of “why hasn’t anyone mentioned this before?” As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen first-hand how RA can show up in places…
If you’re like many of my patients—and honestly, like some of my own family members—you’ve probably typed “Rheumatoid Arthritis relief” into Google more than once, hoping for something real. I get it. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s been in the trenches for years, I’ve seen firsthand how relentless RA can be. The stiffness, the…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause permanent disability? As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had this question tossed at me more times than I can count—usually with a mix of fear and uncertainty in the patient’s eyes. Honestly, it’s not a simple yes or no. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about achy joints or occasional stiffness. It’s…
If you’ve ever watched a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) try to unscrew a stubborn jar lid or button a shirt on a flare day, you’ll know what I mean when I say: living with RA isn’t just about managing pain—it’s about navigating a hundred little challenges that most people take for granted. Over the…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause numbness in feet? That’s actually one of the more common (and confusing) questions I get asked in my clinic. You’d think joint pain and swelling would be the main issue with RA—and they are—but when a patient starts describing tingling toes or a “pins and needles” sensation in their feet, it…