Managing morning joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis is something I talk about with my patients *a lot*. If you’re living with RA, you know those early hours can feel like you’re stuck in slow motion. Your joints are stiff, achy, and not exactly in the mood to cooperate — especially when the day’s just getting…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be challenging, but one thing that can make a significant difference is incorporating a safe stretching routine into your daily life. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how beneficial the right stretches can be for patients managing RA. Not only can they help reduce stiffness and pain,…
Let’s be real — staying active when you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t always a walk in the park. I’ve seen it firsthand with countless patients in my practice, and I’ve had more than a few heart-to-hearts with folks who feel like moving at all is a major challenge. But here’s the deal: rheumatoid…
Let’s talk real life with rheumatoid arthritis and how to cope with daily fatigue—because if you’re anything like many of the patients I’ve worked with, this isn’t just about joint pain or stiffness. It’s that crushing, all-over exhaustion that hits like a freight train, sometimes even before your feet hit the floor in the morning….
Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be an unpredictable rollercoaster, and I’ve seen it firsthand in clinic and in my own personal health journey. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve sat across from patients who feel exhausted, inflamed, and frustrated — especially when flare-ups seem to come out of nowhere. But over the years, something surprising…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis is a full-time job—trust me, I see it firsthand every day as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner. The flare-ups, the fatigue, the stiffness that just won’t quit… it can feel like your body’s staging a rebellion. One topic that comes up a lot in my clinic (and yes, even in casual conversations…
When I talk to my patients about managing rheumatoid arthritis and the role of hydration, the reaction is often a puzzled look followed by, “Wait… water can help my joints?” And I get it—hydration seems almost too simple in the grand scheme of chronic autoimmune conditions. But here’s the deal: as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner,…
Rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain during exercise is one of those double-edged swords I talk about with patients all the time. On the one hand, we all know how important movement is—staying active can actually help keep RA symptoms in check. But then there’s that very real, very frustrating issue: the pain. As a Rheumatology…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide, including many of my patients. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how it can impact a person’s daily life—particularly when it comes to hand function. The pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with RA can make even simple tasks, like…