Rheumatoid Arthritis -
Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis Like you I am a patient, not a doctor or medical professional. All the information I share is based on personal experiences and my own research and should not be considered as a substitue for proper care and advice from a qualified medical professional When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of "pain" left, and I could say, "I used everything you gave me."...to help others with my condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that affects (men, as well as women). The disease occurs when the body’s immune system – which normally protects us from infection – mistakenly attacks the synovium, the thin membrane that lines the joints. The result can be joint damage, pain, inflammation, loss of function and disability. The joints most commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis are those of the hands, feet, wrists, knees, elbows, knees and ankles. Joint involvement is usually symmetrical, meaning if one joint is affected the same joint on the opposite side of the body can aslo be affected. The disease can also affect many organs, including the skin, heart, blood vessels and lungs. Although rheumatoid arthritis is chronic, its symptoms can come and go. Periods of mild disease activity can be punctuated by flares, or periods or more intense disease activity and symptoms. If you suffer the pain and stiffness of arthritis, you may not be enthusiastic about exercising. When I received my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis, May 2011. I promised myself that RA would not win and I still the feel fear, denial, numbness and skepticism. My emotions changed from day to day and even several times a day. Feeling hopeful or optimistic are a long way down the road but its a journey i most take..... acceptance–well, thats something I hope will happen.
