I’m doing research for a novelist who’s writing about a character with rheumatoid arthritis. How does the pain, the sensations felt, differ from that of osteo arthritis? For example, in an old man or woman, how would such pain feel, in terms of, for example, spasmed muscles, gravelly joints, general achiness, and so on.
If anyone has personal experience, either first- or second-hand, please say so. Thank you.
The degree to which rheumatoid arthritis affects your daily activities depends in part on how well you cope with the disease. Talk to your doctor or nurse about strategies for coping. With time you’ll find what strategies work best for you. In the meantime, try to:
Keep a positive attitude. With your doctor, make a plan for managing your arthritis. This will help you feel in charge of your disease. Studies show that people who take control of their treatment and actively manage their arthritis experience less pain and make fewer visits to the doctor.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020/DSECTION=coping-and-support
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis after osteoarthritis. It is an inflammatory disease that affects joints and other tissues. People with rheumatoid arthritis feel achy and tired. Usually the hands, feet, ankles, knees and shoulders are affected.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The body tissue is the victim of an immune response against itself. In this type of arthritis, the synovial tissue (joint tissue) becomes inflamed. This tissue is located in the lining membrane of the joint, which is called the synovium. Over time, the enzymes that are released by the inflammation attack and destroy the joint. In most cases, the disease forms symmetrically on both sides of the body.
The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. Researchers are trying to find out why it appears in certain people.
Women have a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis according to The Arthritis Bible, Arthritis Foundation, 1999. More than 70 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients are women. It can occur at any age, but rheumatoid arthritis usually first appears between the ages of 25 and 50.
There is also a genetic factor present in rheumatoid arthritis. Almost three-quarters of rheumatoid arthritis patients have an inherited chemical marker on their cells (The Arthritis Bible, Arthritis Foundation, 1999). Viruses or bacteria may encourage rheumatoid arthritis to develop in those people who have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis will first appear after a person has experienced a life-changing event like a divorce, loss of a job, death of a loved one or a severe injury. Stress may also cause or exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis (The Arthritis Bible, Arthritis Foundation, 1999).
Smoking can also increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking can cause irregularities in the immune system and it may start bone erosion. It may also impact the severity of the illness in people who already have the disease according to Alternative Answers to Arthritis and Rheumatism, London Reader’s Digest, 1999.
If you suspect you have rheumatoid arthritis or have been diagnosed with the disease, you should talk with your physician. Only your doctor can make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your condition.
References :
The degree to which rheumatoid arthritis affects your daily activities depends in part on how well you cope with the disease. Talk to your doctor or nurse about strategies for coping. With time you’ll find what strategies work best for you. In the meantime, try to:
Keep a positive attitude. With your doctor, make a plan for managing your arthritis. This will help you feel in charge of your disease. Studies show that people who take control of their treatment and actively manage their arthritis experience less pain and make fewer visits to the doctor.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020/DSECTION=coping-and-support
References :
YOU HAVE R.A
I HAVE O.A AND IT NOT NICE
GOD BLESS
I have RA. The pain of a flare up is the worst I have ever felt. During a flare my joints get swollen, red and stiff. It is almost like they have no power. When I walk it feels like I am walking through water, like I can not get my legs to bend. I feel exhausted, like my body weighs a ton. I am on treatment for it now and I rarely have big flares. I do have to make sure I get enouph sleep and take care of myself or I will get mild symptoms. By mild I mean achy joints, exhaustion, and some mild pain. I have a one year old daughter and there are sometimes when I am afraid that if I try to pick her up I will drop her because my elbows and wrists feel weak. I think that the worst part is the exhaustion that I feel. It is usually when I first wake up, I have to talk myself into getting up. Then I usually hobble around stiff for about an hour or so. But as long as I take care of myself I am usually OK. People are usually surprised when I tell them I have RA because of how active me and my husband are.
References :
I have RA
This is my personal experience with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hands, elbows, knees and feet that feel stiff and painful. Sometimes I feel like the tin man from OZ before Dorothy puts oil in his joints- rusty and grinding. Some foods trigger flare ups, weather humidity and temperature
contribute as well. A low grade fever and fatigue are often accompanied with RA.
Hope you get all the information you need for your research.
References :
http://www.anaudlife.com