It’s something I’ve seen again and again in my clinic—women, often in their 30s to 50s, coming in with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), only to reveal they’ve recently gone through a major hormonal shift. Whether it’s postpartum changes, perimenopause, or even thyroid imbalances, there’s a *clear pattern* I can’t ignore. The RA and hormone…
RA and chronic shoulder pain can feel like a frustrating, never-ending loop of stiffness, inflammation, and just plain discomfort—something I’ve seen countless times working as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner. In fact, some of the most persistent complaints I hear from my patients revolve around the shoulder. While many associate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with hand and…
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…
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’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re probably all too familiar with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. But what many people—and even some healthcare professionals—don’t realize is that RA and brain inflammation can go hand in hand. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this disease extends far beyond the joints. In…
Living with RA and poor sleep patterns can feel like you’re stuck in a vicious cycle that just keeps spinning. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen it firsthand—patients tossing and turning at night, only to wake up feeling like they ran a marathon in their sleep. And let me tell you, it’s not just…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you already know how unpredictable and frustrating this autoimmune condition can be. From morning stiffness to flare-ups that seem to come out of nowhere, managing RA often feels like a full-time job. Over the years working as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen countless patients explore various lifestyle…
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…
If there’s one question I get all the time as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, it’s this: “Is there anything I can take that’ll help me feel less tired all the time?” And believe me, I get it. Rheumatoid arthritis and managing fatigue with supplements is something I talk about almost daily in clinic. The exhaustion…