RA attacks the joints and wears down the cartilage surrounding joints. Makes joints painful, swollen, difficult to move and hot to the touch.
Osteoarthritis is caused due to wear-and-tear of joint cartilages as age progresses, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis. The treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
ABOUT DISEASE
In my experience RA is an exhausting, disheartening and can be quite a painful disease. No one person’s journey with any auto immune disease is the same but, I hope maybe some portion of this you will be able to relate to and find hope in. For years I had unexplained swelling in my joints, water retention and swollen lymph nodes. My primary care Physician didn’t seem to have answers for these symptom but they were also not concerned there was something more serious going on. The swelling and water retention was the most frustrating part at that stage. I could gain or lose 8-12 pounds in water weight in the matter of 4 days. It wasn’t too long though and I began to notice I ached, all. the. time. The best way I know how to describe it is, I felt like I was coming down with the Flu, constantly. Then I began to notice my hands would no longer close with the ease they once did, and shortly after that I would be awakened by throbbing joints occasionally. Extreme exhaustion and relentless throbbing in certain joints soon joined the list of symptoms I dealt with daily.
SYMPTOMS
+ painful, red, swollen joints
+ painful to walk
+ fatigue
+ insomnia
YOUR POINT OF CONTACT
ABBIE
ABOUTÂ | My journey is one that led me to two autoimmune diagnosis’s. Originally Hashimoto’s and then later Rheumatoid Arthritis. That was nearly 6 years ago and I am here to tell you, there is so much hope! Through trail and error and many blood panels I have figured out what generally works for me, helps me manage and readjust as needed. For me, that has looked like a more holistic approach when the situation allows. However, that is not for everyone and I am so aware of the very different journeys we are all on. \I feel blessed to be apart of a resource like this website that allows fellow Autoimmune warriors to find their own support, suggestions, encouragement and understanding!
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimotos, MTHFR
SPECIALISTS
+ Primary Care Physician
+ Rheumatologist
+ Rheumatologist
+ Naturopath
+ Hormone Specialist
BLOOD TESTS
+ Rheumatic Factor (for which i was always negative) – From Lindsay
+ C-reactive protein AND Sedimentation Rate (to check for inflammation)
MEDICATIONS
+ NSAIDS, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are commonly prescribed for arthritis pain and other symptoms,
+ Corticosteroid
+ Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
+ Biologic medicines (made with organic molecules)
+ Pain Pills
SUPPLEMENTS
+ Pro Biotics (double incapsulated)
+ Tumeric (inflammation)
+ Trace Minerals
+ Whole Food sourced Multi Vitamins
METHODS OF HEALING
Resting, ice, heat, pain pills, replacement surgeries – Lindsay
RA was my second Autoimmune Disease diagnosis. Which came shortly after my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis diagnosis. After trying a traditional medication for a short time I transitioned back to what I knew, and everything that had been so effective with Hashimotos. – Abbie
AUTOIMMUNE RESOURCES
Here are some great websites, authors, podcasts and other resources to help you navigate your Autoimmune Disease.
AUTOIMMUNE STORIES
These are the women that have shared their autoimmune journey with us. Please take a moment to read some of their brave, honest and revealing stories about their diagnosis, successes, hardships and their lives.
