If you’ve ever struggled with the aches, stiffness, and fatigue that seem to hit harder than just a “bad day,” you’re definitely not alone. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of those conditions that can sneak up quietly and end up taking center stage in your daily life. And for many women, especially around midlife, there’s…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disease that can cause pain, swelling, and damage in the joints. One of the most visible and frustrating complications of RA is finger deformity. Over time, RA can change the shape of your fingers and make it hard to do everyday things like buttoning a shirt or holding…
Managing more than one autoimmune disease—especially when one of them is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—can feel overwhelming. Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body. When you have RA and other autoimmune conditions at the same time, it can affect many parts of your body and make daily life more challenging. But…
You’ve likely felt it—wrists stiff in the morning, joints swelling when you least expect it. Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a daily challenge, not only physically but mentally. When your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints, it’s more than just pain—it’s unpredictability, fatigue, emotional strain. That’s tough. And if you’re trying to…
Does RA affect memory? That’s a question I hear more often than you’d think. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had patients look at me with a mix of frustration and fear when they say, “I feel like I’m forgetting everything lately… is it the RA?” It’s not just aches and swollen joints anymore—we’re talking…
If you’ve ever wondered, can RA cause itchy skin?—you’re definitely not alone. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well-known for causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, but many people, including some of my patients, are surprised to learn that skin symptoms like itchiness can also show up. From my experience as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen…
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…
Night sweats and rheumatoid arthritis — if you’ve ever experienced these two together, you know it’s more than just an annoying symptom. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this uncomfortable combo can disrupt sleep, affect daily life, and even cause anxiety for those trying to manage their condition. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t…
It always catches people off guard—when they tell me their neck makes that crunchy, grinding sound and I gently ask, “Has anyone ever talked to you about RA and neck cracking pain?” As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve heard it more times than I can count. That unexpected creak in the neck? It might not…