If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can RA cause nausea?”—you’re definitely not alone. I’ve had several patients over the years, and even some of my own close friends living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), casually mention that uneasy, queasy feeling that sneaks up on them. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve learned that nausea is one of…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often means more than just managing joint pain and stiffness. One of the less talked about, yet frustrating symptoms that many patients experience is balance problems. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how RA and balance problems explained can unlock a deeper understanding of what’s happening inside the…
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’ve ever sat across from a patient and heard them whisper, “Can RA go into remission?” with a mix of hope and fear in their eyes—you’re not alone. I’ve been in that exact spot more times than I can count. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve walked alongside many people living with rheumatoid arthritis,…
If you think rheumatoid arthritis in young adults sounds like a contradiction, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve had more than a few patients look at me in disbelief when I bring up RA as a possible diagnosis—especially those in their 20s and 30s. Most folks picture their grandparents when they hear the word “arthritis”, not…
Is RA considered a disability? That’s a question I’ve been asked more times than I can count in my years as a rheumatology nurse practitioner. And honestly, I get why it comes up so often. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn’t always “look” like a disability to those on the outside—but the fatigue, the stiffness, the unpredictable…
When people hear “rheumatoid arthritis,” they often picture joint pain, swelling, and maybe some stiffness in the mornings. But let me tell you, after years of working closely with patients as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand that the hidden symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are where things get tricky. These symptoms can fly under…
If you’ve ever cared for someone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lived with it yourself, you know how exhausting it can be. But what often gets overlooked in the day-to-day struggle is the deep, relentless fatigue that accompanies RA. This isn’t your average tiredness — it’s a chronic, bone-weary kind of fatigue that affects nearly…