Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is challenging, not only because of the joint pain and inflammation it causes but also due to the many changes it demands in daily life, including how we approach nutrition. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve worked with countless patients who often ask me about the best dietary changes they…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), helping them manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. One of the most common challenges patients face is balancing their condition with the demands of their job. In fact, many people with RA struggle…
If you’ve ever had a patient look at you, eyes half-lidded, voice barely above a whisper, and say, “I’m just so tired… all the time,” then you already understand how deeply intertwined rheumatoid arthritis and the connection to autoimmune fatigue really is. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I can’t count the number of times I’ve…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause stomach pain? You wouldn’t believe how often I hear this question in clinic, usually right after a patient notices gut issues cropping up alongside their joint flares. At first glance, it might seem like the two aren’t connected—joints and stomach? But as someone who works closely with autoimmune patients every day,…
If you’ve ever watched someone you care about struggle to get out of bed in the morning because of joint pain—or maybe you’ve been there yourself—then you know how real and frustrating rheumatoid arthritis can be. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of walking side-by-side with patients navigating this condition daily. Over…
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…
If you’ve ever wondered why gut issues seem to flare up around the same time as your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms, you’re not imagining things. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen this pattern over and over again in my patients—and honestly, in myself during high-stress periods when the immune system is already on edge….
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a real challenge, both physically and mentally. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen first-hand how RA not only affects the joints but also how stress can compound the pain and inflammation. That’s why I wanted to take a deeper dive into how reducing stress can lead to…
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…