Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which affects the immune system of the body. Mainly known for its effect on joints, the disease can also cause problems with all types of connective tissues such as the intestines, tendons or even the eyes. Every individual is affected differently, so each person needs to learn as much as they can about the disease and its treatments and develop a good relationship with their health care team, which should include a rheumatologist, a specialist who deals in all kinds of arthritic conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis (known by its sufferers as RA for short) usually begins in the joints of the hands and feet with a feeling of stiffness in the morning that lasts anywhere up to an hour. It may then spread to affect other joints and parts of the body. People with RA have what are called ‘flares’ which are episodes when the disease is very active and you will feel very tired and sore.
Coping With Fatigue
The hardest part for most RA sufferers is the extreme fatigue. It is very difficult to explain to others just how tired you feel. Some days, you can get up and go about your daily chores with reasonable ease and other days, just getting out of bed is a major achievement. Pain is a major factor, especially as the disease progresses. For an excellent explanation of what the fatigue feels like (not just for RA but for all chronically ill people), read ’The Spoon Theory’ and get your family and friends to read it too. Written by Christine Miserandino, it’s a perfect explanation of what fatigue is really like.
Many family doctors have plenty of experience in osteoarthritis, which generally affects older people, but are not nearly so well educated on RA which affects people of all ages, even children. Most often, the disease is first diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50 and affects many more women than men. It is, unfortunately, incurable and chronic but every year new treatments come out to help sufferers deal with the illness and to help slow it down.
Helpful Websites
It may take some time to get a definite diagnosis with tests such as blood tests, x-rays, etc., needed to rule out other illnesses. It can come as a serious shock to someone newly diagnosed, especially as the first thing most people do is go on the Internet to look up the illness and discover as much about it as they can. Unfortunately, what they usually find are some really scary pictures and misinformation.
There are brilliant websites such as arthritis care or arthritis research which give good, sensible advice to newly diagnosed patients. Both these sites, and others like them, have forums which allow people with RA to talk about their symptoms, swap tricks for helping with the pain and dealing with daily tasks and sometimes just venting frustration at having to deal with RA.
Frequently, as a newly diagnosed patient, you may go into denial and refuse to accept that you have an incurable disease. You will listen to all those ‘helpful’ people that seem to pop out of the woodwork and tell you about all kinds of potions and diets that will “definitely” cure you. You will try all kinds of alternative therapies and treatments. As a RA sufferer for eighteen years, I can say that while there is a place for certain types of alternative therapies, you really need to listen to your specialist, who will be able to work up a treatment plan for you which will probably involve a variety of drugs. If there was a magic cure, we’d all be taking it!
Positive Mental Attitude
It can be very hard to accept that where once you very active and able, you’re now no longer able to do what you want, when you want. Family members in particular can also go into denial and expect the RA sufferer to just carry on as before. Friends may get annoyed that you are unable to attend events because you are so tired or in a lot of pain, especially as the nature of the disease is such that one day, you feel fine and the next day, you feel terrible. You learn that if you push yourself to do something, you will suffer for it the next day. You soon discover who your true friends are.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Once you learn to ask for help (even your toddler can help you put on your socks on those days when your feet seem very far away) and to take things one day at a time, you can learn to live with the illness - not just exist with it. New treatments are working at slowing down the progress of the disease with fewer side effects and new painkillers are coming out all the time to help you deal with the pain.
You may have to make some big changes in your life but that doesn’t necessarily mean bad changes. Try to have a positive attitude if at all possible. You will have more time to do things you couldn’t do before because you were so busy rushing around. You may not be able to play ball with your child, but you can sit and read to him, talk to him and take time just to listen to what he has to say. There are all kinds of new gadgets available to help you with everyday tasks and to help you learn new skills and discover talents you never knew you had.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a difficult disease to live with, but with a positive attitude, a good medical team and some good friends, you’ll learn to stop and smell the roses and enjoy life in a different way.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources:
- Arthritis Research UK.
- Arthritis Care.
- The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino.
Amanda Payne - By Amanda Payne: Topic Editor for European Affairs. Amanda is a freelance writer with a special interest in Spain and all things ...
