What People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Wished You Knew

“Like the worst flu you've had. Every day [and] for the rest of your life.” — @notoriousmoney

“It drains you, robs you of your energy, makes you feel heavy, slow, weak.” — Barbara

RA is an autoimmune diseasethat affects your entire body, causing fevers, pain, extreme fatigue, and feeling ill.

“Age does not make a difference." — Joy

RA usually affects people between the ages of 30-50. However, it can happen as early as your teens and into your 60s and beyond. There are 1.3 million people in the U.S. who have RA, with women having the condition three times more often than men.

“It's my lungs, my hearing, my brain, my heart.... everything is affected.” — Margie

Despite the term “arthritis,” RA doesn’t just affect the joints. It’s a全身疾病, and its inflammation can cause damage to other systems in the body, including the skin and internal organs such as the heart and kidneys.

“How unpredictable this disease is, feeling fine one day and struggling the next.” — Deb

It’s hard to predict how RA will act. It can be quiet for a while, only to爆发症状增加for seemingly no reason. Some people find that their flares can be related to factors such as weather, activity, and certain foods.

“That it is real and not ‘all in my head’" — Melissa

Others may not be able to see the pain and fatigue that people with RA feel. It’s important to realize that aninvisible illnessis not something the person can control with the power of their mind. The disease is in control. It’s important to trust what the person tells you.

“When I tell you 'I can't do this or that today' — please just believe me. Don't ask, don't push — just accept.” — Kari

Many people with RA are hesitant to make plans, because the unpredictability of the disease so often means cancelling. Having a Plan B can help. For instance, if going to the movies won’t work out, watching a DVD at home might.

“That we HAVE tried just about every 'remedy' you're suggesting.” — Paulicia

RA is a complex condition about which much is unknown. Nothing about it — the treatment or living with it — is simple. Suggestions that curing yourself is as easy as eating X or taking Y goes against scientific evidence and can be hurtful to the person living with RA.

“How it takes away who you were [and] changes you in to someone you don't want to be.” — Barbara

与RA生活意味着生活在你的健康人失去，并成为一个新的人。这可能导致抑郁和悲伤。来自家庭和朋友的支持和理解可以帮助找到对新的接受。

“That everyone's pain is different.” — Neen

ra疼痛从轻度到严重。有些人在缓解中，其他人具有高炎症或残疾。有些人带有ra可以非常活跃，甚至运动，而其他人则需要使用帽子或轮椅。这种疾病会影响各自不同。

“Just because I'm smiling doesn't mean I'm not in pain.” — Jennifer

People adapt and adjust to living with RA, even to high levels of pain. They find ways of connecting to life again, to smiling, working, participating in family activities and being active members of the community. Focusing on life often means not showing how much RA affects them.