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…
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…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means constantly juggling symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle tweaks to keep inflammation and pain in check. Over the years working as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen countless patients ask about natural remedies that might complement their medical care — and one topic that keeps popping up is the idea of…
If you’ve ever sat across from a patient with swollen, aching joints and a look of exhausted hope in their eyes, then you know exactly why I’m writing this. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations about natural options for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially with patients who are wary of long-term pharmaceutical…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis can feel like an uphill battle, especially when your joints are stiff and painful every morning. From my years working as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how incorporating rheumatoid arthritis daily stretches into your routine can make a noticeable difference—not just physically, but mentally too. It’s not about pushing…
If you’ve ever dealt with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or worked closely with those who have, you know how relentless it can feel. From the persistent joint pain to the fatigue that sneaks up on you, managing RA is often about more than just medications. Over the years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand…
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…
Living with RA and hip joint issues is something I see almost daily in my work as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner. And let me tell you—it’s not just a “joint pain” kind of problem. The hip, being a deep and weight-bearing joint, makes this a completely different beast compared to something like RA in the…