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…
As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations with patients about what really makes rheumatoid arthritis flare—and what actually helps calm it down. Let’s be real: managing rheumatoid arthritis and balancing inflammation triggers is a bit like walking a tightrope. You try to stay steady, but the smallest gust (say, a stressful week or…
When I first started working as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I never imagined that I’d be recommending acupuncture to my rheumatoid arthritis patients. But after years of seeing how medication alone sometimes just isn’t enough, I’ve become a believer in integrating complementary therapies. Rheumatoid arthritis and the benefits of acupuncture have become one of my…
If you’ve ever felt like your body was fighting you from the inside out, you’re not alone. I’ve seen it time and again in my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner — patients coming in, exhausted, achy, and unsure of why they feel like they’re running on empty. One of the most common culprits? Rheumatoid…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that flare-ups can hit without much warning — turning a normal day into a painful struggle. How to prepare for a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up isn’t just about managing pain when it happens; it’s about anticipating those tough days and arming yourself with strategies to lessen their…
If you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and its effect on energy levels, you’re not imagining it—this fatigue is *real*, relentless, and often misunderstood. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless patients tell me they’re tired of being tired. And honestly? I get it. The kind of fatigue that comes with RA isn’t the same…
If you’ve ever wondered, can rheumatoid arthritis cause balance problems?—you’re definitely not alone. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this autoimmune condition affects much more than just the joints. People often focus on the classic symptoms like joint pain and swelling, but balance issues are a sneaky, lesser-known challenge that many with…
If you’re anything like the patients I see in clinic each week, chances are you’ve googled “how to reduce morning stiffness in fingers” more than once—usually while trying to pry your coffee mug from your aching hands. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations about that frustrating, stubborn morning stiffness that makes you…