Tag: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learn about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), its causes, symptoms, and the best treatment options to manage joint pain, inflammation, and improve mobility.

  • A Numb Arm Led to My Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

    Have you ever slept in an odd position and when you woke up, your arm felt numb and you couldn’t lift it? Well that’s what happened to me a little more than five years ago. I went to bed feeling fine and when I woke up, I couldn’t lift my arm. Except for me, the feeling didn’t go away. My first thought was it must have something to do with the surgery I had years ago on my spine.

    Six years before the morning with my arm, I had been lifting boxes and woke up with a stiff neck. For more than a year, I felt pain on and off. I ended up getting an MRI and once I did, I was told I needed immediate surgery to remove herniated discs in my neck. So it made sense to me that maybe my arm numbness was related to my neck issue from years earlier.

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    I called my spine doctor and after completing a thorough exam, he told me that it was unrelated to my surgery and he thought I may have rheumatoid arthritis. I was in disbelief. I had felt fine the day before and I didn’t even feel bad the day of the appointment, other than the fact that I couldn’t lift my arm! My doctor drew all the bloodwork so he could verify the diagnosis and sent me home.

    A few days later, he called and told me my rheumatoid factor, an antibody found in the blood of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis, was off the charts. Normal is considered between 10 and 20 and mine was greater than 600! He suggested I visit a rheumatologist right away to get started on treatment.

    At this point, I was starting to feel more and more uncomfortable and experiencing some pain. Feeling fortunate that I live in an area with great access to many specialists, I called around to get an appointment. Every doctor’s office I spoke with said they could see me in August or September. It was March! How was I going to live with this pain? How was I going to work? I am a single mom with a full-time job. I couldn’t wait 5 months! This was the beginning of realizing that I needed to advocate for myself and my care. I called my spine doctor back and he was able to get me in for an appointment. The rheumatologist started me on a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and after a few adjustments, I began managing the medical aspect of my condition.

    What may have been even more difficult for me, however, was managing the emotional and mental aspects of being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 49. I started out doing exactly what you shouldn’t do—googling my condition. Everything I read made me feel hopeless. On top of that, I found that every thought I had focused on my condition. I would constantly question—should I be eating this? Should I be doing different exercises? Should I try this new vitamin or supplement? Every thought I had was about rheumatoid arthritis. I remember saying to my mom that I can’t wait for the day that I can say this disease is something I have, not something I am.

    I looked for a support group with people to connect but found nothing in my area. I found an organization called Arthritis Introspective (who have since merged with the Arthritis Foundation) and went through training to become a facilitator of my own support group. It started with me sitting in Wegman’s (my local grocery store) hoping for one person to show up and now, three years later, we have more than 100 people in our group. The connections within the group help me take power and control back into my own hands, while educating and learning to advocate for myself.

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    You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at me that I have rheumatoid arthritis. I work full-time, volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation, and am involved in my church. I spend time with family and friends and stay busy. Because of this, people often forget that I struggle at times. Some days I hurt more than others. Stress is a big factor in how I feel. And my flares tend to be different than other people. Rather than redness and pain in my joints, I feel extremely exhausted, like I’m coming down with the flu. If I’m very busy during the week, I need to take the weekend to recharge my battery. I no longer feel guilty if I stay in my pajamas or cancel plans. I’m constantly learning how to manage my time and my energy reserves.

    In the autoimmune world, you often hear about the spoon theory. You start out with a certain amount of spoons each morning and you have to think about how you’ll use your spoons. If you have 15 spoons, it may take one spoon to get out of bed, two spoons to take a shower, another spoon to dry your hair, four spoons to go to work, and so on. My spoons are not endless like maybe someone who is healthy. I’ve learned to manage my spoons. If I work late two nights in one week, I know that I will have no spoons left for the weekend to socialize. It’s a daily struggle to balance what I can and can’t do.

    I decided early on that I was not going to let this disease take over. I changed my diet, I found exercise that worked for me, and I found support. I am a platinum ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, the leader of a top fundraising team for the Walk to Cure Arthritis, and the incoming board chair for our local leadership board. I tell people that the number one thing they need to do is to find their tribe and get connected. Not everyone in your tribe has to have arthritis, but they all have to understand that you are going to have bad days and good days. And your tribe should support you when you are struggling AND when you are celebrating!

    After five years, I can finally say that rheumatoid arthritis is something I have, not something I am.

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  • Coping with Whole Body Pain

    It’s bad enough to have a headache or backache. But when literally everything seems to hurt, you’re truly miserable. You can have trouble getting through simple daily activities and may find it hard to get a good night’s sleep. That can make the pain even worse.

    The good news is that whole-body pain relief is possible. The first step is finding out what is causing your pain. There are at least 20 different issues that can cause total body pain. Here’s a quick look at a few of them:

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    • Infections: The flu, pneumonia, or similar illnesses can make you ache all over. Luckily, the pain goes away when the illness does, although you may need medical help to recover from an infection.
    • Arthritis: The inflammation from some types of arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, can cause achy joints throughout your body, which may be accompanied by fatigue as well.
    • Statins. Although effective at treating high cholesterol, about 20-30 percent of those who use statins develop muscle and joint aches.
    • Lupus. In this autoimmune disorder, your immune system mistakenly attacks your own healthy tissue. The resulting damage and inflammation can cause pain throughout your body.
    • Lyme disease. Ticks spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. If you’ve been in tick country and your aches come with a rash, see your doctor right away. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to arthritis, heart palpitations, and other serious problems.
    • Fibromyalgia. This condition, which is not well understood, can cause muscles and bones throughout your body to feel tired, tender, and achy. It can also cause insomnia, stiffness, and numb hands and feet.
    • Hypothyroidism. When your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid, one of the symptoms can be muscle cramping and stiff joints.
    • Opioidinduced hyperalgesia: In some people who have used opioid drugs for a long time to treat pain, the drug can eventually produce the opposite effect, making your body more sensitive to pain.
    • Poor circulation. Burning, cramping or other pain during exercise, particularly in the legs or arms, can be a sign that the vessels providing blood to your limbs have narrowed and you’re not getting enough oxygen.

    There are probably a dozen other conditions that could cause you to feel widespread pain, so it’s critical to work with a doctor to get to the root of the problem. The most effective treatment will depend on what’s causing your pain. For instance, for a Lyme disease infection, you’ll be given antibiotics, while for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you may be prescribed medicine to calm an overactive immune system.

    A variety of treatments can help with the pain itself, ranging from ice packs and simple over-the-counter pain relievers to procedures such as steroid injections, nerve blocks, and neuromodulation. Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy can often help as well.

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  • Can Coffee Cause Arthritis?

    There are a number of risk factors associated with developing rheumatoid arthritis. You are more likely to develop the condition if you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 60, smoke, have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, or are clinically obese. Of course, none of these factors guarantee a future diagnosis, but they do increase your risk of developing the condition. However, many patients with Chronicillness.co Site of the United States wonders whether their coffee drinking habits are a risk factor as well.

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    There actually is no consensus on whether or not coffee makes people more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The results of research studies do not agree — some reports say coffee can cause arthritis while others have found no relationship.

    Some of the research discrediting this claim states coffee contains an antioxidant known as polyphenol. Polyphenol’s health effects are not definite, but traditional medicine suggests that the antioxidant can cause an anti-inflammatory effect. Green teas and fruit smoothies also contain polyphenols and are typically recommended for rheumatoid arthritis patients because they may help reduce pain and swelling in the joints.

    However, a study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases found that coffee may contribute to rheumatoid arthritis. The study surveyed men and women of varying ages and asked them about their coffee consumption. It found that the number of cups per day was proportional to a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. However, the study did not prove that coffee was the sole cause of the condition and additional factors could have contributed to the condition like smoking, consuming alcohol, being obese, and more.

    The physicians at Chronicillness.co Site of United States does not necessarily suggest cutting down your coffee consumption, but it should be consumed in moderation. This is because the evidence supporting the claim is not widely accepted in the medical community. If you begin to notice early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis including, but not limited to, fatigue, fever, swollen or stiff joints, or even weight loss, please do not hesitate to call our office. Our physicians can help you manage your symptoms and help you control your pain through medication, joint injections, physical therapy, and more.

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  • 5 Ways to Manage Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Cold Weather

    With fall comes cooler temperatures, and if you suffer from arthritis, you know arthritis pain often increases in cold weather. Whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this pain can limit your ability to enjoy any normal activities requiring movement. However, fall weather doesn’t have to keep you from doing the things you love. Here are five ways you can help manage arthritis pain in cold weather:

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    Keep head, hands, and feet covered to manage arthritis

    In cold weather conditions, some blood flow is diverted from our extremities to the critical organs of our core, such as our heart and lungs. This results in reduced blood flow to our joints, which can cause stiffness and pain. Wearing the right clothing when going outdoors can help you ease the chill. Dress in layers to stay warm, and wear socks and waterproof boots to avoid getting your feet wet or damp. Since internal body heat is lost most quickly through the head, hands, and feet, covering these body parts can help maintain the body’s internal warmth.

    Eat a healthy diet

    Eating a balanced diet can help you keep off the extra pounds that can add more stress to your joints. Consider adding foods that can help fight inflammation that can cause joint pain, such as omega-3-rich fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel), soybeans, green tea, and walnuts.

    Proper nutrition also ensures you get the vitamins and minerals you need. Recent studies suggest that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to the severity and progression of arthritis. You naturally get less vitamin D in the fall and winter, and being deficient might make your joints hurt more. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends the following daily amounts of vitamin D:

    • Adolescents aged 14-18 years: 600 International Units (IU)
    • Adults aged 19-70 years: 600 IU
    • Adults aged 71 and older: 800 IU
    • Pregnant and/or breastfeeding women: 600 IU

    Vitamin D is only absorbed by the body in the presence of calcium, so you also need to consume this mineral on a daily basis in food or by taking a supplement. Without needed Vitamin D and calcium, cartilage cell growth is adversely impacted.

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    Drink plenty of fluids

    Staying hydrated is vital for flushing toxins out of your body and keeping your joints lubricated, which reduces joint pain and inflammation. It can also help you to maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. The typical recommendation is eight glasses a day, however, ask your doctor for a recommendation based on your activity level and health history. If plain water isn’t your thing, try adding berries or freshly cut cucumbers. You could also try green or black tea, which is both rich in polyphenols – plant compounds that have strong anti-inflammatory effects.

    Stay active by moving indoors

    Exercise eases arthritis pain, and staying active during cold weather can help prevent joints from becoming stiff. There are many physical activities that can be done indoors, and are easy to do:

    • Riding a stationary bike
    • Stretching
    • Walking indoors
    • Taking a low-impact aerobics or yoga class
    • Swimming in an indoor pool
    • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator

    Talk with your doctor about over-the-counter remedies

    Topical pain medications – which often come in cream or gel form – can be rubbed on the skin over joints to relieve pain. Counterirritants, salicylates, or capsaicin are common ingredients in these products, and each works differently. Counterirritants, such as menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor, create a temporary hot and/or cold sensation, which can interrupt pain signals to the brain. Salicylates are chemically similar to aspirin and have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers and is also believed to interfere with pain signals in the brain.

    Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium can help relieve arthritis pain. However, each pain medication comes with its own risks. Talk with your doctor to find out which, if any, of these medications may be right for you.

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  • What will happen when I go to a Rheumatologist about potential Fibromyalgia?

    What will happen when I go to a Rheumatologist about potential Fibromyalgia?

    Not all Rheumatologists (especially if they had been trained some years earlier and belong to the older generation) believe in Fibromyalgia.

    Even if they “believe”, not all are comfortable with managing patients with Fibromyalgia for diverse reasons. One very common reason (which doctors only admit to other doctors) is that Fibromyalgia patients are generally difficult (I sympathize with those patients) as they are generally mistrustful of doctors in general after all their bad experiences with doctors.

    Ask two questions of your Rheumatologists.

    • a) Whether they believe in Fibromyalgia
    • b) Whether they are comfortable and happy treating patients with Fibromyalgia.

    If the answer to either of these questions is a No, ask politely for suggestions for a Rheumatologist who is interested in managing these patients. You would be surprised that there are many. Fibromyalgia is a test of a Rheumatologists utmost all-around skills.

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    The first order of business is confirmation of Fibromyalgia which is completely clinical. (It involves bedside tests and interviews. There are two criteria for diagnosis both of which are valid. Remember that a diagnosis of fibromyalgia does not exclude any other diagnosis.

    Therefore the second order of business is to look for and exclude any other disease that may co-exist or may have triggered fibromyalgia by increasing the risk. The more recent your fibromyalgia, the more the need to look for other associated conditions.

    If you find something else along with fibromyalgia, the doctor’s job gets easier. (If you have the disease for 10–15 years, there would be little doubt and the doctor may be able to make a diagnosis just by talking to you)

    Managing patients with fibromyalgia is multi-dimensional. Patient education is key so as the patient gets reassured that fibromyalgia is a non-life or limb-threatening benign disease of just pure pain and suffering. So it is important for the patient not to let the disease get to them and fight it valiantly and refuse to be impacted in everyday life. The doctor is there to help you do that.

    The treatment would involve drugs that alleviate the different symptoms as well as lifestyle changes. Exercise and good sleep are the cornerstones of Fibromyalgia management. For those who find exercise painful, it is important to have a structured regimen where you start slow and slowly increase the level of exercise.

    Improved sleep either with lifestyle changes or with fibromyalgia medicines would have a direct and immediate impact on your pain and other symptoms. Reducing weight is important for those who are obese, as they are in general less likely to respond to drugs (contrary is also true, those who are lean tend to respond better to drugs).

    I have seen patients who did not respond to any drugs getting cured simply with exercise and weight loss. While there are several drugs for fibromyalgia that are approved (pregabalin, duloxetine) or off-label, the choice of the first drug should be determined by the specific circumstances of the patient including comorbidities and is not going to be covered here.

    Suffice it to say that different individuals respond differently to different drugs and it is important to find which drugs or combinations thereof work best for any given patient. Therefore, the patient should have patience and stick with your chosen rheumatologist and give him enough time to optimize your management.

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  • Do you know the most misunderstood aspects of living with fibromyalgia?

    Do you know the most misunderstood aspects of living with fibromyalgia?

    Fibromyalgia itself is still very much a mystery. Although doctors now have more information, and many doctors now accept it as a “real” issue, we still have a LOT to learn about fibro and chronic pain conditions in general. I personally agree with doctors who believe that fibro is not a condition in and of itself, but the result of other traumas or illnesses.

    I was diagnosed with fibro in 2002 when I was in my early 30s, so I’ve had this condition for a good while. I actually went to a young doctor at LSU-S medical center who was a researcher in the field at that time, and to a very good rheumatologist. These and later doctors have certainly helped my condition improve.

    I also try to eat healthily (that is, not heavily processed) foods, and MSG drives me nuts, so I avoid it like the plague, but fibro still impacts my life far more than many people would suspect. And, yes, I’ve tried some of the much-advertised medicines. They work, but they also made me gain a lot of weight, which makes the fibro even worse. I prefer to use OTC pain relievers and natural remedies.

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    1. Everyone with fibro has slightly different symptoms, and symptoms can vary widely day to day. The pain and tender points are common to everyone, but symptoms vary WIDELY, as does the level of disability. Symptoms also very widely from day to day. Some days I may be doing GREAT and I’ll be outside trimming goats’ hooves or even pounding t-posts. Another day I may not be able to get off the couch. The unpredictability is maddening. I love to be busy; I love to be outside doing things in my garden, but sometimes I can hardly drag myself to the kitchen. Just because yesterday I could do something doesn’t mean that I can do the same thing today.
    2. I hurt all the time, all over. Most of the time, thanks be to God, it’s only just above consciousness-level, but it’s there. I usually describe it as the ache you have when you have a slight fever. This all-over-ache is there when I sit down, when I stand up, when I walk, and when I lie down. It never goes away completely, although I can block it out SOMETIMES if I can keep busy. Other people have HORRIFIC pain, much worse than mine.
    3. FATIGUE for me as just as bad or worse than the pain. (I may have CFS as well as fibro.) I’ve had doctors quip, “Well, I’m tired all the time, too.” We’re not talking about “tired,” here. We’re talking about feeling like you were just unplugged, like you have a bad case of the flu, or like you have on-the-verge-of-tears exhaustion. If you’ve never felt it, you can’t completely comprehend it. Again, the CLOSEST I can compare it to is a BAD case of the flu, where you are so weak and tired you can barely get up, if you can even do that. Your arms and legs feel like they weigh 100 lbs. each. Let me put this in real terms: there are times when I cannot get to the kitchen to make something to eat or when I’m so tired that I cannot go to the doctor’s office even if I’m sick. Getting dressed can be a major undertaking. At the worst times, I even slur my speech. I can hardly think or feel any emotion, because both of those require energy.
    4. My “tiredness” isn’t relieved by sleep or rest, either. The fatigue comes and goes as it pleases, although it often DOES seem to be worse before weather-changes or after I’ve tried to do too much. Rest certainly helps a LOT, but when I wake up in the morning I often feel as if I’d been beaten. My muscles are incredibly stiff, and it usually takes me at least 30 minutes to be able to walk normally. On a “bad” day, my muscles STAY stiff. In other words, even with medication, I do NOT sleep well. Some doctors have surmised that this poor sleep also means that our muscles aren’t being repaired, which leads to pain.
    5. My body over-reacts to some sensations…(and perhaps ignores other pain.) When I’m having a flare, anything that touches my back or hits my lower legs or feet feels like an electric shock going up my spine. Do NOT come up from behind me and touch my back, especially my lower back. I will hit you. Seriously. Hard. It’s like you touched me with a taser. This is how bad it is: I was working with a filly one day and she came down on my foot. That hurts, of course, but as it was during a flare the pain was so intense that I fell down on the ground and literally could NOT get up for what seemed like minutes. I was terrified that she would trample me. Finally I was able to pull myself up on the fence with my arms. After that I had to admit that I could no longer safely work with horses.
    6. That leads me to this: although my fibro is really quite mild in comparison to many people’s it has altered my life in SO many ways. I would simply not be able to work outside the home anymore in most jobs. I get clumsy as heck, and sometimes my hands don’t work well. I don’t drive long distances, either, because if I have a fatigue-flare I would not be able to drive safely. I have to plan my shopping, because standing up can be EXTREMELY painful at times and I’m too proud to use a cart. I’m also not very reliable, because I never know when I’m have a spell. It isn’t that I’m depressed; there is SO much that I’d love to do if I had the energy and ability (like try living off-grid), but I know that’s not reality. I often get in trouble because I plan MUCH more for myself than I can do.
    7. I want to zero in on one aspect of fibro that literally hits close to home: housekeeping. When you have fibro or chronic fatigue syndrome (now called Myalgic encephalomyelitis) you have to use your brain (if it is functioning that day) to spare your energy. That means that I look around and take as much as possible to on each errand to a part of the house rather than make multiple trips. I now actually have to have someone help me clean. (It’s embarrassing, really.) Sometimes jobs like folding clothes take several attempts; it’s honestly exhausting.
    8. NO, exercise is NOT a magic bullet. I think doctors often say this because it IS partially true. Obviously if a person is literally lying around with no interests or excitement some exercise MIGHT make him or her feel better. During a flare, however, exercise is like a normal person exercising while having the flu, and it can reduce you to tears. During my “normal” times I can walk a mile (it takes me about 25 minutes because I am rather clumsy and have balance problems on the treadmil) fairly easily; during a flare I can hardly walk to the kitchen. Exercise DOES help, but it’s not a cure and, during a flare, it can do much more harm than good. It can take us DAYS to recover.
    9. No, all those quack products and supplements aren’t magic bullets, either. Sometimes nutritional products, or gluten free items, or this or that do help certain people who have deficiencies or unknown food allergies. I do think the reason that I do as well as I do and am not completely bed-ridden, is because I keep moving to some extent (the baby goats are excellent therapy), I DO try to eat a reasonably healthy diet, and I discovered by chance that MSG was a major trigger for me (it makes me feel like there is drill going into my joints.) Eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meat (as long as you aren’t allergic to any of these) and cooking them at home really helps some people. (Not all. Again, I think “fibro” is so maddeningly different because it’s actually the result of very different conditions in different people.)
    10. Fibro may not kill a person, but it can make a person wish he or she were dead. That’s the sad truth. Long-term chronic pain is life-changing, it sometimes occurs in the prime of life, and can bring hopelessness. I’m blessed, but many people with fibro lose their jobs, their spouses, their hobbies/sports, and their friends. What makes it even worse is the fact that it is “invisible,” so many doctors and family members completely dismiss it. Imagine being in a lot of pain and constant fatigue and having a doctor basically tell you that you’re just crazy or a hypochondriac. (Funny, but that’s also what doctors used to say about menstrual cramps and then about lupus. Basically it’s the first answer often given when doctors don’t know what to do about an issue.)

    So there are 10 things to know about fibro. Again, every case is different, and I feel very blessed to be able to do what I can do.

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    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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  • Do you know someone who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia?

    Do you know someone who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia?

    I can tell you as someone who was diagnosed with PMR and fibro, most PMR info on the internet isn’t all that accurate. PMR usually affects elderly women, but it’s not so rare for younger folks to have it. And, most who are below the age cut off aren’t even given the blood tests needed to confirm the diagnosis because doctors just think it’s impossible to have PMR at 30, 40, 50 years of age.

    I was 54 when I woke one morning thinking I must have the flu due to the unexplained pain and stiffness in my body. Over the course of two weeks, I had two primary care visits, pretty large doses of pain meds, increasingly painful stiffness that lasted until 2 or 3 p.m., severe sleep deprivation, rapid weight loss.

    I thought my normally attentive primary care dr might have a cruel streak in her when she denied prescribing me steroids (I was desperate for relief) even for just 2 or 3 days until my appointment with the rheumatologist arrived. She explained it could mess up important blood work the rheumy would likely need.

    By the time I saw the rheumatologist (just 2 weeks from the onset of symptoms), I could not dress my upper body, wash my hair, or brush my hair because of the pain and extreme lack of mobility in my shoulders, upper arms, and neck. I couldn’t drive because I could not turn the steering wheel or press on the brake hard enough to stop it from moving.

    I couldn’t turn my head to look to the side let alone behind me to back up. I literally performed an off-balance hobble to the bathroom when needed, and spent the rest of my time in a recliner. It was the least painful thing I could do to help myself. I could barely hold a fork or spoon let alone cut any food.

    My lower body was crippled by horrible pain and unbelievable stiffness. Feet, ankles, knees, hips are all affected. This was sheer hell. Every single day my condition worsened exponentially. My first time in a wheelchair was my first appointment with a wonderful rheumatologist. I needed help getting out of the wheelchair and into the SUV to go home because I couldn’t rise without falling back to the wheelchair seat.

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    I went into all that because when I googled my symptoms, PMR was often a result but I didn’t think it was that because the information didn’t even touch on the severity, that it could be completely disabling within just a few days time, or the widespread symptoms outside of the upper body morning stiffness. No way did those symptoms cover what I was experiencing!

    Upon diagnosis, I started a prednisone regimen and found a couple of PMR groups on Facebook. When I read thru the posts of the first group, I did it through heavily flowing tears and frequent nose-blowing breaks. I scrolled and read all night long. THESE PEOPLE WERE DESCRIBING MY EXPERIENCE!!! I truly felt 100% alone in this outside of my rheumy understanding what was happening and assuring me I’d get better.

    Nothing in print truly confirmed my symptoms. When you are at a pain level of 8 to 10 every single moment of every single day, when the 30-minute increments of sleep you manage a few times a night end with the sound of yourself moaning in pain loud enough to wake you, when you’re hypersensitive to light, sound, motion, touch, and the best-printed info you can find makes it sound like you have some aches and pains in the morning, you feel A.L.O.N.E.

    It was in the FB groups where I learned that the severity of symptoms and problems simply getting yourself to the toilet to pee was the norm. Countless people younger than me had PMR. Countless people suffered for months, got addicted to pain meds (which do not help PMR, by the way), were brushed off by doctors as complainers or drug seekers, never even received referrals to rheumatology! It’s a fairly rare condition but frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and not treated properly.

    Bloodwork alone doesn’t 100% confirm PMR. But, bloodwork combined with improvement with prednisone is confirmation. Unfortunately, so many in the FB groups have struggled for years–even decades–because we are individuals who respond differently to the same treatments.

    Prednisone is the cure (although some have achieved success with an anti-inflammatory diet & lifestyle change). No amount of pain meds will help. I know. I was on heavy doses for 2 weeks.

    I was fortunate to start low-dose pred, increasing dosage until I was able to function. Stayed on that dose for a couple of months & tapered down (which was scary because each small decrease in dosage brought on flares for a few days) over the course of a few months. I’ve had a few flare-ups since, but the bloodwork was borderline, so I chose to wait it out & I was lucky enough that the flare-ups passed on their own.

    When my rheumy diagnosed the PMR, he said he thought there was something else going on too but he wanted to get the PMR under control first. It was later that he was diagnosed the fibro. Fibro is a bitch. I hate it. It’s unpredictable & the brain fog not only makes you feel like you’re losing your senses, I think it can actually make you crazy at times.

    It’s a struggle to mentally and emotionally deal with the daily pains & bouts of extreme fatigue, and flare-ups that can leave you bedridden, but it’s the unpredictability, the making plans and doing everything possible to be prepared to keep your plans or commitments, and not knowing until the time comes if you’ll be able to do it….and if you are, how long will you last?

    The two conditions are similar in that they push the limits of pain & fatigue, but they are very different, at least for me, in how adversely they affected my life. I’m one of the lucky PMR-ers because my length of treatment fell within the parameters of most descriptions, and my steroid dosage was in the middle range too.

    As much as I hate fibro, I’d choose it over PMR if I had to choose one or the other. Unless there’s a guarantee PMR will be treated with success in getting off prednisone, I’d choose fibro cuz I wouldn’t stick it out for years and years with PMR pain, or OMR pain-free but stuck on prednisone forever.

    So, if anyone had the patience to sit thru my ramblings, I hope you felt you gained some helpful insight. My intent was to inform readers that most material describing PMR (including that handed out by doctors) makes it sound like a Club Med experience compared to the living hell it really is.

    If you suspect you may have it, insist on seeing a rheumatologist for the best chance of successful treatment. Successful means little to no pain and steroid-free! This turned out to be therapeutic for me and I’ve never discussed my experience like this with anyone–ever!

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  • Patients Reported that Cannabis Decreases their Arthritis Pain

    Patients Reported that Cannabis Decreases their Arthritis Pain

    Cannabis may be harmful to arthritic joints; patients with arthritis reported cannabis reducing their pain. The Arthritis Society is therefore providing the research to confirm this. The research is to develop medical cannabis therapies. This is good news for 54 million arthritis sufferers.

    Cannabis and Arthritis Pain

    Dr. Jason McDougall is a researcher from Canada. He is a pharmacology and anesthesia professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS, and one of the leading pain researchers in the world. He was adequately funded by the organization to have a three-year study on cannabis’ ability to effectively repair arthritic joints.

    So the aim of McDougall’s research was to figure out that medication dependent on cannabis is more than a pain killer for arthritic joints. However the goal was to find out if it helps repair the arthritis-related hurt. Because it was the organization’s first proper research to find treatment with medical cannabis.

    However the Arthritis Society’s president and CEO, Janet Yale said, “People living with arthritis pain are looking for alternatives to improve their quality of life.” In addition, he added, “We need research to help address the many important questions surrounding medical cannabis and its use. So the aim is to provide People with the ability to make informed choices about their treatment options and provide evidence-based advice to their patients to make treatment recommendations. However this project represents an important step towards achieving these goals.

    The Chinese scientists had previously found that there are very high concentrations of CB2 receptors in arthritic joints. They also suggested a treatment option. It was supported by Canadian research.

    Informative CB2 Receptor

    In layman’s terms, the entrance of cannabinoids into the cell is a molecule in the cell wall that acts as a door. Because it is the way the cell flags beneficial molecules that circulate through it during the body’s day-to-day activity.

    Therefore our body has the ability to produce its own endocannabinoids through CB2 receptors that enter the cell. However in fact, treatment dependent on cannabis also has the ability to enter through the same level. So, it is the authors’ opinion that cannabis is effective in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

    Repairing Damage by CB2 Receptors

    So, the question arises as to whether cannabis-based medicine can help CB2 receptors penetrate cells and reduce joint pain. Will it help to restore the arthritis-induced damage? There are many reasons to think so.

    There is a research published in the journal “Royal Society B Philosophical Transactions” that releases antioxidants from the body’s endocannabinoid system that help repair damaged cells when cannabinoids are elevated from an external source.

    Another example highlighting this thought was the story of a Maine woman who recovered from symptoms of arthritis by using cannabis smoothies. Therefore, more serious consideration was given to cannabis treatment research.

    Therefore rhe Canadian medical cannabis companies are Aphria, Inc. and the Peace Naturals Project. Because each of them funded the Arthritis Society with $100,000 to assist the bill for research by Dr. McDougall. So, Medical science’s confidant on this new research was a good symbol for arthritis sufferers.

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    Working About CB2 Receptors

    So, Cannabinoid receptors have an important role to play in the immune system. Because it’s the way they work. Because autoimmune disorders such as arthritis and chronic disorders such as osteoarthritis don’t make much sense, according to a biological perspective. So, the question is why would the body target itself or be unable to restore such important features, such as joint dexterity? However cannabinoid-based medicine is the answer to this question.

    Therefore previous research has been helpful in making McDougall’s team confident that cannabis-based medicines can promote CB2 and decrease pain by increasing immune responses at pain points.

    However now the other thing was to find out whether the medicine would have other effects on the body. Above all if researchers succeed in their research, there will be a new methodology of treatment. Therefore it was only hypothetical success at this stage, however, but most doctors and patients were only grateful for successful pain treatment.

    With the growing understanding of the endocannabinoid system, we look forward to finding ways to help cannabis-based medications relieve pain and cure the damage caused by inflammation to the joints. While the research of McDougall is yet to be completed, the results are expected in the near future.

    Let’s be hopeful, hope for the best, and pray. The first step towards physiological, emotional or religious recovery is a positive attitude.

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  • With Age, Joint Pain and Fibromyalgia is not Natural

    With Age, Joint Pain and Fibromyalgia is not Natural

    By: Dr Alex Robber

    Achy seams, creaky. A knee twins. A sharp pain shooting from the elbow’s shoulder. No big issues, okay?

    False. All too frequently, we suppose that fibromyalgia and joint pain is a standard component of the aging with which we must learn to live. There can be nothing further from the reality, say specialists, that points to a rich range of therapy choices from practice and alternative medicines, exercises and joint surgery.

    This is a severe issue, as pain can influence all aspects of your lives. Raymond, MD, pain management services Director of Stanford Hospital & Clinic at Stanford University, says: “Despair does not only affect the experience of harm, but affects how you spend your lives, livelihoods, interactions with friends and family.”

    Raymond lately released a country-wide telephone study with some impressive outcomes: almost one in 5 (19 percent) suffered from chronic arthritis-like fibromyalgia. However, almost half of them said they knew not what caused the pain. The large majority (84%) took counter medicines for their pain.

    “We are used to the natural healing of the body, so we always expect to do that,” Raymond says, the issue is this patient need to speak with their physicians. There are lots of pain management methods, but it begins wondering, what is wrong?”

    “My average patient can perhaps never say if it is the joint, fibromyalgia or pain of the joint, “tells Shannon.” With chronic pain, it is an issue, we attempt pain relievers, but we do not always see a physician. “You must be examined by a doctor to see what and why you actually have joint pain.”

    Get the Right Diagnosis is Necessary:

    Arthritis is an all-encompassing word that just implies an inflammation in the joints. Robert, Chief of Rheumatology at Miami Miller University, “We now acknowledge more than 100 distinct types of arthritis and pains related to fibromyalgia

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    “Then you need proper therapy,” tells Jason, MD, MS, MPH, FACPM, writer of the Arthritis Cure and a precautionary and sports medicine expert at the University of Arizona. Another reason to see a physician. Many individuals have other circumstances that can aggravate arthritis.

    Hemochromatosis, for instance, is a hereditary condition that involves abnormally elevated iron deposits in the body which cause heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia and arthritis. It can cause an arthritis that can lead to osteoarthritis. He states that joint pain may also be caused by a cancer spreading into the joints. “We won’t have the correct therapy or pain relieving unless we tackle the problem’s origin,” Theodoskais says.

    Common Conditions Related to Pain:

    Fibromyalgia:

    In many places throughout the body, this chronic disorder produces soreness and pain, leading to grave sleep problems and fatigue. The cause of fibromyalgia is unclear, but is not associated with any muscle, nerve or joint damage. One hypothesis is that the disease is linked to over-sensitive brain and backbone nerve cells. Or it may have a brain imbalance that controls mood, decreases a person’s pain tolerance, and can result in an unrestful sleep, tiredness, inactivity, awareness and soreness cycle.

    Although fibromyalgia is not cured, the focus of therapy is on controlling pain, tiredness, depression, and other symptoms to break the cycle of sensitivity, pain, and lower physical activity.

    Further restful sleep can be given at low doses of antidepressant medication before going bed. For individuals with fibromyalgia, other sleeping pills are not extremely helpful. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, including ibuprofen and naproxen may assist reduce pain, but should only be used under the care of a doctor in the long term.

    Osteoarthritis:

    Often known as degenerative articular disease and the most prevalent type of arthritis in over-50 people. The rubber cartilage which acts as an absorber of shock on our joints is growing older, becoming steeper, losing its elasticity and more susceptibly damaged. When the cartilage is worn out, tendons and ligaments stretch and cause pain. This is most common in the fingers, hips, knees and backbone in almost all joints in the body.

    Symptoms included joint dolor and soreness, finger joint pain, and knots of the osseous. The pain is relieved using medicine, painkillers and other alternatives such as glucosamine and chondroitin.

    Rheumatoid Arthritis:

    This arthritis is very distinct from the articulated degenerative disease. Inflammation takes place on both sides of the body, a symmetry which differentiates it from other forms of arthritis. Most symptoms are however familiar joint pain, fibromyalgia and inflammation, articular rigidity and exhaustion. Researchers believe that an external organism, such as a virus and a bacterium, can alter the immune system and attack the joints and other organisms at times.

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    Hoffman says, Rheumatoid arthritis is not only a gentle joint condition. “There is strong proof that early diagnosis and aggressive therapy can help keep function, prevent disability and enhance survival by means of rheumatoid arthritis.”

    Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Temporal Arteritis (TA):

    These inflammatory diseases are usually associated and associated. PMR is a disorder with bigger articulations such as hip and shoulders. TA is a blood vessel, including eyes, inflammation in the head. The body’s immune system reacts against itself causes both circumstances.

    Stiffness and pain in the shoulder and hip joints, fever, loss of weight and tiredness, all these are symptoms of PMR. The only symptom often is that you are unable to readily leave a chair or raise your arms to brush your hair. A serious headache is the most prevalent symptom of TA and untreated TA may cause irreversible blindness, stroke or temporary mini-strokes assaults.

    The cause of these illnesses is not known, but they appear in individuals of northern European origin most commonly. “However, the therapy is very simple when it is diagnosed–prednisone, a steroid,” Gaeta suggests. “Most individuals never heard of this type of arthritis, but it points to your doctor’s need to speak to you.”

    You Need to Change your Lifestyle for Fibromyalgia and Joint Pains:

    The specialists claim that you can find relief while there is no cure for joint pain. Therapy includes modifications in lifestyle to the medicines and operations— and should generally be attempted in this order.

    Lose weight: The first step is to throw off the surplus pounds if you are overweight. Whetstone points to a latest research indicating the danger of osteoarthritis of the knee being reduced by just as little as 11 pounds

    Start exercising: Working with a physical therapist will be the next step to create a proper exercise programmed. Their dull joints stop pain victims from practicing and cause their joints to weaken even further and deteriorate, explains Whetstone. They have been caught in a vicious cycle.

    Therapist: “It is essential for a physical therapist, especially if you don’t understand the starting point,” she suggests. “You can know which exercises are best–generally ones that enhance strength, endurance and movement–and suggest particular joint exercises specifically intended for pain relief. Stay Healthizes!

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  • Faced with the Challenges of Dual Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosis

    Faced with the Challenges of Dual Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosis

    By: Dr Alex Robber

    Around 1,5 million Americans suffer from psoriatic arthritis (PsA). PsA is only component of the tale for many of those individuals. This is due to two or more chronic circumstances for patients.

    It may be hard to diagnose psoriatic arthritis (PsA), since symptoms such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and gout are common.

    In America 2016, most individuals who have PsA experience several symptoms over the period of years before the disease is correctly diagnosed, according to the Psoriatic Arthritis study. In the study, at least 41% of the individuals had been diagnosed with PsA by at least four healthcare experts.

    What is the difference between PsA and rheumatoid arthritis like?

    Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are autoimmune diseases that are caused to swell, suffer and stiffness in the joints by the immune scheme.

    Doctor Mark, director of rheumatology in Stanford Health Care, explains that “psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis are comparable, but are distinct illnesses, with manifestations often quite comparable.” “There is no coexistence generally between the two illnesses.”

    However, Doctor points out that the kind of arthritis a patient has may be uncertain during the first months or even years of arthritis development.

    According to Physician Jason, a rheumatologist in USA, dactylitis is one of the characteristics which separates psoriatic arthritis from rheumatoid arthritis. Fingers or toes swell in this situation and become like sausages.

    Enthesis is also characteristic of psoriatic arthritis that does not happen in rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis in fields where ligaments and tendons enter the bones.

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    According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. Signs of the disease can assist physicians distinguish between RA and PsA, such as the red, scaly skin.

    Physician noted that most treatments for both circumstances are similar, but that “some medicines for psoriasis do not treat rheumatoid, and rheumatoid therapies do not provide psoriatic therapy.”

    Frequently both kinds of arthritis are supported by anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID) and corticoids and immunosuppressants. Physician noted that rheumatoid treatment does not treat rheumatoid.

    PsA overlaps with Osteoarthritis

    Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis and impacts approximately 27 million Americans, a degenerative joint illness in which the cartilage is wearing away by the era and bone presses.

    “Almost everyone is going to develop arthritis at some point, so osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis can certainly be experienced at once,” Physician says.

    Although pain relief can assist to handle the both conditions ‘ symptoms, osteoarthritis is not an inflammatory articular disease. Treatment differs also as psoriatic arthritis can react to immune system drugs.

    Living with Fibromyalgia and PsA

    Last year Miss Roma of California, USA, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which is associated by extensive muscular-skeletal pain, combined with exhaustion, sleep, memory and mood problems. She has experienced 30 years of psoriatic illness (she has psoriasis and arthritis psoriatic).

    “I believe PsA and fibromyalgia is very prevalent in the first place. Our physicians only miss it, “She claims. “Brain fog and tiredness were the greatest shift I noticed. I thought my arthritis psoriatic got worse. My muscles were more painful, more rigid, and more affection. It felt like my whole body was painful. I also understand I have pain and inflammation with my psoriatic arthritis.

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    To obtain the correct diagnosis, explains stresses that patients must be conscious of modifications in their own bodies. When she noticed that she had symptoms other than the usual psoriatic arthritis she began maintaining a journal.

    “I had pain in various areas of my body, and even after I had rest, pain would get worse,” she says. “Only 2 or 3 hours, I couldn’t sleep. I’ve always been tired, and I haven’t been able to move like I used to. I’d get restless legs together with stupidity. She is now taking one medicine for PsA and one fibromyalgia medicine. Stay Healthizes!

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