What RA Is Like Really
Trying to describe what RA is like—really
Shock and awe—things I felt as I learned first hand what RA is really like. Fourteen years later, I’ve taken thousands of pictures and written over 1000 articles, but I still can’t easily show someone what RA is like. When RA or our medicines are in the news (some possibly treat the pandemic virus), it’s obvious people don’t know.
Recently, I worked with Healthgrades on a series of articles to help provide supportive information about rheumatoid disease. I was eager to explore the topic “What It’s Really Like to Live with Rheumatoid Arthritis” because—as you know if you live with the disease—most people don’t understand what it’s like. Even people recently diagnosed with RA are often surprised to learn about how the disease affects almost any part of the body and how difficult it can be to manage.
What It’s Really Like to Live With Rheumatoid Arthritis
It’s mystifying that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease—affecting about one in every one hundred people—and yet most people don’t know what it’s like to live with RA. Even though my own grandfather had the disease, I remember being stunned as I learned first hand what RA is like. There are good reasons why RA is so baffling. Most RA symptoms are not visibly obvious—at least early on. Not only can it vary a great deal in its severity, but its course can also change in the same person over time.
What’s it like to deal with rheumatoid arthritis?
RA is a progressive disease, usually worsening over time. But this progression can often be slowed by disease modifying medications. Living with RA is hard. It is…
1. Dealing with RA can be painful like no one can imagine. I’ve met men and women who say RA is more painful than a broken bone, kidney infection, or gunshot wound.
Click here to read the whole article on Healthgrades.
More Warrior on the Real RA / RD
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and Symptoms
- 5 RA Facts Everyone Needs to Know
- What Does Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Look Like?
