If you’ve ever experienced an aching jaw that just won’t quit and you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you might be surprised to learn that the two could be connected. RA and jaw pain explained—that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen patients caught off guard by this…
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…
Can RA cause weak grip? If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to open a jar, twist a doorknob, or even hold a pen, you’re not alone. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless patients walk into my clinic frustrated by a loss of grip strength—and more often than not, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the…
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention in the world of rheumatoid arthritis: RA and lower back stiffness. I can’t count how many patients have come into my office, eyes a bit weary, asking, “Could this tight, aching feeling in my lower back really be my RA acting up?” Spoiler alert: yes, it…
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…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means navigating a complex landscape of symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. One topic that comes up a lot in my practice as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner is the connection between RA and gluten-free diets. Patients often ask if cutting out gluten can ease their joint pain or reduce inflammation. From…
If you’ve ever dealt with joint pain in your fingers, you know how tricky it can be to figure out what’s going on. Is it rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or something else entirely? When it comes to RA vs osteoarthritis in fingers, the distinction matters—not just for treatment, but for understanding how your day-to-day life might…
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…