Rheumatoid Arthritis Advocacy Sheet
Women between the ages of 40 and 60 are generally 2 to 3 more times likely affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men. If untreated, it can shorten life by 3-7 years initially, and 10-15 years for more severe cases.
While treatment has greatly advanced in more recent years, it is crucial to be diagnosed and treated early to avoid significant joint damage. Avoiding treatment could result in the need for surgery, lifelong medication and the need for physical therapy.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis could start with fatigue, loss of appetite, morning stiffness, widespread muscle aches, and weakness. Joint swelling, joint tenderness, pain and/or stiffness of the joint, limited range of motion in one or more joints and on both sides of the body can also characterize rheumatoid arthritis development.
If you suspect you may have rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor to assure early treatment and slow progression of the condition.
Some questions you may want to ask might be:
1. How is arthritis diagnosed?
Early symptoms may mimic other conditions, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Your doctor may order an anti-CCP antibody test, one of several other tests including complete blood count (CBC), c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, joint ultrasound or MRI, joint x-ray, rheumatoid factor test, or synovial fluid analysis.
2. How is arthritis treated?
Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the standard for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, however, your doctor also may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, antimalarial medication, corticosteroids, or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Many cases also require physical therapy and sometimes surgery for more severe cases.
3. What is the long-term risk of rheumatoid arthritis?
Extreme or advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis could cause deformation of joints and severe weakening of weight-bearing joints making it difficult to perform routine daily tasks. Destruction of joints can occur as early as 1 to 2 years after developing the disease.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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