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Hi! This is me, Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy. I am a superhero who lives with rheumatoid arthritis. My illness will last a lifetime, but reading this guide to RA will only take a minute – I promise. (I’ll even use a countdown timer, just like they do in the action movies!) Can one get a better understanding of rheumatoid arthritis in just 60 seconds? Let’s give it a try! |
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints (and sometimes, the organs). An autoimmune disease is an illness where the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells as invaders cells. The result: the body sends out antibodies to attack these healthy cells. (It sure sounds like the Joker is talking…are you confused yet?) |
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Okay, let’s pretend that your body is Gotham City. Your immune system is Batman. Your joints? Well, they are tiny bat signals. Batman – thinking that Gotham City is being invaded – is forever going to all the bat signals and attacking everything in the vicinity, leaving behind lots of damage. (He never seems to realize that these bat signals are actually false alarms.) |
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No words can accurately describe the physical pain that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis. (Although this mental image, for me, does come close: A Mack truck ran over me. And then it backed up, and ran over me again!) Rheumatoid arthritis pain is chronic and is not something that can be easily fixed with just an aspirin. This pain can be one of the most crippling aspects of living with RA. |
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The constant attack on otherwise healthy joints leads to inflammation – the joints become red and swollen. When joints are constantly inflamed they eventually begin to move around. This can lead to disfigurement and joint damage, which can sometimes be permanent. Many of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are directly related to this inflammatory process. |
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Joints that are continually inflamed often begin to experience extended periods of stiffness. This can sometimes lead to drastic reductions in strength and mobility. One of the most prominent symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is morning stiffness – and unlike a squeaky hinge, we can’t just add a few drops of oil to make things better. (If only.) |
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When rheumatoid arthritis is active, a person can easily become extremely tired. Actually – it surpasses mere tiredness and rises to the level of fatigue. This constant lack of energy can be one of the most limiting aspects of life with RA. Quite often, a person’s level of daily activity must be reduced and periods of sleep and rest must be increased. |
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Living with RA can bring about many emotional challenges. Stress and anxiety levels may increase. Periods of depression, feelings of losing hope, and thoughts of suicide might become more frequent. Coping with chronic illness is difficult. If you feel that you or someone you love might be in danger of harming themselves, please reach out for help. |
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Rheumatoid arthritis is not related to age – it can affect people young and old alike. There is even a juvenile form of RA. Many people confuse RA with osteoarthritis, another form of arthritis which is typically associated with age. So if you really want to compliment a person on their young looks, go ahead! (But please don’t forget, no one is “too young” to have RA.) |
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Some people living with RA might show visible signs of joint damage, or may use assistive mobility devices. However, in many cases of rheumatoid arthritis the illness is invisible. Many people show no visible signs of RA. So once again, if you want to compliment someone on their good looks, go ahead. (But please don’t forget, people with RA don’t necessarily “look sick”.) |
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Although there is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, many treatment options are available. Just as Superman had his Justice League, so too does RA Guy have his Team RA. A 360° approach is recommended: rheumatologist, psychologist, physical therapist, acupuncturist, spiritual guide, holistic healer, dietician, surgeon, and massage therapist. |
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(Unlike in the movies, my final five seconds don’t last half an hour!) Life with RA: Don’t lose hope! Talk to a friend, family member, or co-worker about RA. Visit one of the many online support groups, forums, and blogs that are available for people living with RA and their caregivers. Together we can increase awareness of rheumatoid arthritis – it only takes a minute! |
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Please join us in raising awareness of RA, 60 seconds at a time!
60-Second Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis [ Download PDF File 155KB ]
DISCLAIMER: This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice and care.
If you have specific needs, please speak with a professional health care provider.
Brilliant. I wish I had this concise, no-nonsense, look-on-the-brightside explanation 12 years ago when I was diagnosed. I would have shared with everyone that said, “But you’re too young,” or “My grandma has that…”
Short, accurate—I think this should be a pamphlet given to every RA patient as they are diagnosed!
Holy crap you nailed it!!! Looks like I need to get more ppl in my 360 circle. Iwas DX in 2001 , but didn’t REALLY experience RA till 2008, it went out of control and I’m now on Enbrel, MTX and a slew of other RA fighting agents.
I hope all my ppl check this out. Thanx RA Guy, you’re my hero!
Perfect!!! I am going to send this to my family and friends.
This is great. I am one of the old people who is disfigured, yet people still think it’s all in my head. I’d would be nuts to have this in my head on purpose.
Miss Dazey
I know you’re a superhero, but you should still get a medal for this!
This is simply brilliant! I am going to post this on my blog and pass it along to everyone I know.
One of my research projects that I am considering is the ADA and invisible illness. I will keep you posted.
Perfect.
Thank you.
Spot on my friend. Spot on.
You hit the nail right on the head. Again, another excellent post. I will be saving this and printing this for others to see. Good job.
Thank you! I’ve been looking for just such a thing!
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Add mind-reading to your list of superpowers
FANTASTIC this is the best down and dirty version I have ever seen I am going to copy it and take it to my Doctor so he can understand what this really feels like
keep up the good work
Great info and good job, Guy! Thanks and God bless.
Hey, this is great…. you explained it better than my rheumy did. Way to go, guy – oops RA Guy! Thanks!
OK, this was perfect. Am totally reposting it so as not to reinvent the perfect wheel….
Wow. How could you not feel a little better about your diagnosis if this was handed to you at the doctor’s office?
RA Guy, you really ARE a super hero. Keep ‘em coming.
Oh, and thanks for giving a crap about what I have to say.
Fantastic!! What a great job you’ve done putting everything together and putting it all in perspective. I love your website! You have done such an excellent job with it. I also love the humor. We need a lot of humor. lol
Linda
I guess it’s safe for me to assume that you all liked this guide? Grin. Seriously though, I am glad that people are liking it, and hopefully it can help more people gain a better understanding of RA.
What a super-hero job you’ve done. Thanks for helping all of us assist others to understand our condition. Love your site too.
well done! this sums it up perfectly!!
Excellent. Thanks!
Gee, Kids …Who Is This Dude??!!! Our very own RACentral Guru.
“What a difference a GUY makes!” Very impressive~
You are right on!!! You made it short and easy to understand yet you express what people who have RA live with every day. I agree with Millicent about making it into a brochure to be passed out to all RA patients and their families. Great job!
super job! you really nailed it. thanks!
brat
Wow, this is about as accurate as it gets. I give you an A+. What a great job you did describing this awful disease. I had my first attack in my early twenties, and have had it for over 30 years now. I am lucky that mine is intermitting RA. I also have OA, fibro, chronic back pain, and of course depression. Thanks for writing, and I agree that it should be a brochure…Selina
This is brilliant ! I especially like the bat signals analogy ..
Hi RA guy,
This is a good description on RA! I like the way you describe by using the batman example!
Look forward to learning more from you about arthritis.
Well done!
Joyce
I was diagnosed with RA in 2007 and NEVER have I understood RA more than I do now after reading that.
Absolutely Brilliant!
THANK YOU
I simply had to share this little gem on my blog… It is fantastic, and I’m certainly going to be sending the PDF to my rheumatology team!
Tortoiselvr said it best… Add mind-reading to your list of super-powers!
Thanks – this really hit the spot for my 10-year-old with JRA. Got lots of giggles and some nodding, as in “Yeah, I get that…”
Kudos!!! I couldn’t have described it better myself. Im going to print this out and put it in my office, so MAYBE people will understand what we go through! ( if thats ok with you)
Good way to get your point across. I have RA and fibromyaliga. Some days are good, some are bad. I just take it one day at a time.
Nice, succinct summary. One thing I would add: RA often flares up, and then calms down again…making it very difficult to assess whether some treatment option is really working — or if you are just coming out of a flare naturally. I was diagnosed with RA at 18, after both my knees puffed up like balloons, and am now 40 — meaning that I have had RA my entire adult life, although there were times when it was excruciating, and times when it wasn’t active at all (although I still had some pain from already damaged joints). I got both hips replaced in my twenties — so I am very familiar with the “but you’re too young” comments!
Thank you yet again, your 60 sec blurb is perfect for me today. I needed to put it in a nutshell and it worked. Thank you RA guy
Hi RA Guy,
Your 60 second guide is wonderful, and I’m going to point my rheumy team towards it.
Keep up the great work, and I hope you’re not too creaky at the moment.
Best wishes
Joanne
Brilliant!!
Wow! Thanks for this!
Just joined the site and noticed the 60 Second Guide right off. I’ve had RA for 20+ years now, and have never seen it explained and described so well.
Thanks ‘RA Guy’ and I look forward to being a part of this community!
God, how many times has someone said to me “you’re too young to have RA” …over and over and over!
you put the thoughts that i have in my head in a format that i have been unable to express, thank you!
and the part,”you don’t look sick” perfect, im 26 year old woman with a thin build who has to use a handicap pass at times and i have been accused of stealing the pass instead of rightfully needing the pass based purely on only my appearance. Not fair- diseases to not discriminate they attack people of all shapes and sizes.
thanks again you’re wonderful
Thanks, that site is so informative. The best site I have seen.
My RA started when I was 23 years old.. you are right, it knows no are or gender, Thanks so much for hooking me up eo a GREAT site, Sandra
This is great! I’ve had back pain for over 20 years now and only just diagnosed with arthritis just over a year ago! Its nice to finally be listened to!
LOVE IT!! Thank you for all that you do for us RA victims!
I love this 60 Second Guide to RA… I have a local support group that I run once a month for RA and Auto Immune disease…I have had RA for 35+ years and this is such a simple explanation..do you mind if i hand it out along with your website???
Thanks…
I love a sense of humour added in horrible situation! Well done, love it!
OMG, thankyou for describing exactly how I feel. This upset me because this all happens. Like you said keep positive and there is light at the end of the tunnel, even though it is a long one.
I have only had it for about 8 months so I am a Newbee, still struggling to find other Newbees, so if there is anyone out there?
Wow. In a nutshell. Dx 16 years ago as a young mother. With the help of meds (hit or miss) and kind, compassionate coworkers, I am still able to work and be productive. Thanks for the light-hearted attitude. Makes all the difference!
This is perfect! I have printed off a copy for all of my family in hopes to better help them understand. I am one of those who does not looks sick….. but am now 36 and walking with a cane. People always look at me funny….I cry alot…it has been 4 years and tons of medicine….pain always breaks though eventually…..but I love this!!!!!! Thanks RA guy.
Ahhh!!! finally someone who understands!!! The oil can was the perfect way to put it! I call my self a “tin man” that just needs an oil can to feel better!
Thank you RA guy!
just stumbled across this ..i am 43 and was diagnosed with seronegative inflamatory arthritis a few months back and am now on methotrexate which seems to be doing the trick. twelve months prior to my disgnosis i had just completed radiotherapy for a sarcoma in my thigh and i thought that was bad enough, but the impact of arthritis is actually greater than the impact of cancer…sadly people dont understand arthritis and its many variants. its more painful, more debilitating and more depressing than my particular cancer…and whats more we get to keep it for life..cant be surgically removed cant be zapped and cant be chased away by drugs. more people need to be educated in the difference between osteo and rheumatoid…well done RA guy
Very good! I’m 30 and have had active RA for about 7 years. There is an occasional remission but people don’t understand that you have some pain everyday. And one of my biggest pet peeves is “oh I have that in my knee; where is yours?” They just don’t get it. It’s everywhere in us and, no, you don’t have the same thing as me! You can take an advil and be fine. I take a variety of pills, shots, IV meds and let’s not forget cream for the secondary psoriasis that’s developed on my hands! Thanks for the website. Keep it up!
This is a great breakdown, thanks. I have a few friends that would really appreciate this, will be sending it on.
Yes, you nailed it perfectly! Well said, RA Guy. Now to get my family to read this. I’ve had RA for about 3 years now, and as you know it’s royal pain in they you know what. But we deal as best we can, do all we can to fight it with our team of specialists, and try to live each day as pain free as possible. I’ve also had Osteo arthritis for a long time now, which came about as a result of losing an argument with a stubborn horse who decided he was not going to let me ride him where I wanted to go. I ended up on the ground knees first. I was in my 20′s then, but the years added up to 3 scopes for torn meniscus, followed by one total knee replacement, the onset of RA (not caused by the horse) and then the other knee replacement, which has helped so very much I’d highly recommend it to anyone who needs it done. It is very painful at first, but that subsides in no time at all. With physical therapy, I was back on my feet in about a month’s time with continued improvement daily and back to walking around with no cane needed in a few short months. Having those knee replacements has made my life with RA much easier and better – the RA can’t get inside those knees now, but it can get around them – I just don’t allow it to do that. Taking the mtx as prescribed, and a little prednisone now and then when it flares up keeps the RA pretty well in check. I do hate having RA, but I can’t complain. I knew someone when I was a teenager who had RA with no treatment available to keep her from being crippled. She was terribly crippled, in pain most of the time, and not able to enjoy her life as we now can while living with RA. The treatments now available have allowed all of us to live much better lives than we could if we had had this disease many years ago. We all need to be thankful for all the treatments and help that is now available to us. I know I am. And thankful for your website and all the great information available here. Great job, RA Guy!
You have made this so simple that I used it to explain to my elementary school aged kids what is wrong with their mother! I love that you explained it with pictures and the superheros and everything, now all my family really understands the situation.
This is so awesome! You’ve totally hit the nail on the head with your 60 sec guide to RA. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to link to it on my FB page. Maybe it will help the people I know understand a little bit more about what I’m dealing with.
Love your blog, btw!
Just stumbled across your site. I’m so grateful for what you’ve done here. I’m 26 and was dx w/ RA when I was 12. I’ve been on tons of meds which have never seemed to work. Except of course for high doses of prednisone, but that’s not ideal. I finally got my insurance to cover Enbrel and am having high hopes for that. Otherwise, my dr just encourages me to take high doses of ibuprofin and vicodin which seems sort of like having a limb torn off and placing a bandaid over it. It’s always frustrating when people just don’t understand the pain, fatigue, & depression. Thanks for this online community.
Thank you RA Guy and thank you Elizabeth for pointing out the unpredictable nature of rheumatoid disease. (I am really trying not to call it arthritis any more to stop the confusion) I find that the way a flare can present at any time, then subside, only to appear in another joint entirely. This leads to others doubting the sufferer because of this scenario: On Monday a flare presented in the ligaments and tendons on my right wrist and hand. Coworker expressed concern when she saw the swelling, deformity and obvious pain. Tuesday the coworker asks “Hey, how’s your arm?” (genuinely concerned) “Why are you limping?” You reply: Thanks for asking. My arm is better, but now my knee… **Suspicious glance then rolling of the eyes** –>> sadness. I want to disappear, wish I was invisible. Easier than explaining again and again, but furthers the problem of ignorance of the general public and even some of the medical community.
Thanks for your blog. You are my heros!
RAGuy,Im an older walnut58years that has been for some time trying to make sense the RA that i’ve been diagnosed with 8years ago.Yes,my initial thought?old people get this.
You have broken the shell that cocooned me when I fell upon
your site.I have been trying to make sense of this dibilitating
disease,let alone explain to people why I have it and having to justify myself as you say,”you dont look ill”.
Frustrating?yes! that people wont go out of the way to research
this dreadful condition and understand that a little cream
rubbed into the joint just wont fix it..grr!
The only reason im standing upright is the various meds that my
Rheumatologist perscribed me.I felt so isolated for sometime
thinkng I was alone on this path.
thanks for your eyeopener.As my son says’You rock!’
Hi RA Guy!
Lauretta
I wanted to request permission to use this “60 sec guide to RA” because I think it’s absolutely brilliant!
I’m putting this in my zine and wish I had this around with me much earlier on, to show all those people who cocked their heads at me when I said I had Arthritis! If you want more info about how/where/what I decide to do with my zine, please look under the post labelled “Attention all Arthritis bloggers! Opportunity to have your words published in a zine.”
Also, if you like the idea of having a piece of your work published in my zine, please let me know!
All the best and keep on fighting with your superpowers!
I couldn’t have out it better myself! So many people don’t understand that age isn’t a factor. I’m 18 and they think ive have RA since I was 12. People mean well when they say, ” you don’t look sick” but sometimes it feels like a personal attack. Anyways, brilliantly done
I was diagnosed with RA a couple of months ago. I’m overweight but managed to lose 10 pounds in two months as per doctor’s advice. I still need to lose 15 more pounds to reach my ideal weight, been thinking about joining the gym but I’m scared. I don’t want the gym to be one reason that adds to my morning stiffness – which gets pretty ugly when I’m overworked the day before – but I really wanna lose weight, what do you think, join the gym or just do with light exercise. Thanks mate, I really loved reading your log. Cheers
Thanks for this simple, explanatory guide. I put it on my blog, giving you credit. Hope that’s okay.
I like it! I’m going to print it out for my patients. Thanks a lot.
Way to go! Love IT!
I love it! You make it sound kinda cute, haha – whereas the reality is… well, we all know what that is like.
Love it
gonna post it to my wall n my blog again love it
Very clear, concise descriptive view! Excellent job. People of all ages can relate to the terms you used to describe RA.
Thank-you!!!
Great job. Ive had RA for 7 years now and it is definitely something that will always be a work in progress to cope with. I recently had my pharmacist tell me about a lady she met and her daughter recently was diagnosed. Both her and her mom are having a really hard time dealing with this and I was able to reach out and kind of walk them through my experiences and help them with coping with theirs. At first you feel really alone, but having someone who UNDERSTANDS whats RA really is can be the difference maker. Glad you created this site for people to connect about this P.O.S. disease
i love this page anyone up for rubbing knees lol
Awesome. I’m going to print this off and hand it to everyone who says, “You’re too young/look well/blah de blah de blah.”
Genius
)
Bravo! If I could jump around, I would do that now with enthusiasm for this great presentation. I’m off to link to this on Facebook and recommend it to friends with RA. Thank you!
This is such a great description of RA! I was diagnosed this year, after having my first child. I am only 30 and am now pregnant with my second child and therefore my RA is active and untreated right now. I’m still trying to learn about RA and how to deal. I am searching for encouragement, and am so glad I found your blog. Thank you! I will be checking it often!
I was diagnosed at 29, when I was the proud owner 2 bar/restaurants here in Hawaii. I always smirked at life thinking I had the upper hand and was well on my way to early retirement and my life long dream of traveling. I had a very fast acting/severe form of ra, and only a few years later was forced to sell the businesses due to being so sick. I always try to put my “best joint forward” and not relate to people how sick I really am, for fear of being treated or thought of differently. Sometimes I believe I did myself a disservice as no one seems to understand how I went from an overachiever to underachiever in a short span of a few years. I’m 35 now and don’t think other people will ever really understand. But I forgive them as I am sure I would not have understood that the pain in your wrist could be much worse than cutting it off with a dull butter knife. Unfortunately it’s also pretty much everywhere- even my jaw and throat. I just wish I could feel comfort again someday- you know, the kind most people take for granted. I am glad however, that my mind is still intact (minus the depression, loss of energy, and medicine side effects like from prednisone). I recently watched an interview of Micheal J foxx, and realized that he has to be even stronger than me to deal with his issues every day, and there are others even worse off. So sometimes putting things in perspective helps me to cope. It’s inspiring R.A. Guy- that you’ve found a way to find purpose in life through your disease- thanks for the inspiration man, you are really a role model for us all.
This is absolutely wonderful. A quick yet informative little piece of reading that can be helpful to those who have RA or may know someone who does, or might not have any clue what the disease is. I grew up with RA, got it when I was 5, and it was hard to see that people- both kids AND adults- didn’t have a clue what the disease was even as the years passed and more people got it. I used to discuss it for show-and-tell, or volunteer to give speeches on it in classes like Health(after never seeing it in a health book, ever). Really wish this had been around then.
I wish I could forward this to every single person I know. One person in particular who accused me of being a drug seeker because I hadn’t had a definitive diagnosis yet and get this, SHE’S IN THE MEDICAL FIELD!!!! They’re already conditioning her to doubt the patient. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
JUst wanted to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, and from the bottom of my mangled feet:) there are a couple of RA bloggers who have given me hope, determination, information and courage to face this overwhelming twist in the road of my life-and it;s you that I keep returning to for answers-
its info like your 60 second guide that has taught me what is going on in my body, and I have found the most comprehensive, true to life info in the blogs of people like you-
THANK YOU!
and my best wishes to you in your journey!
Well said! Thank you for the way you presented RA for those who don’t understand. It was fun while you told it how it is.
One word sums it up! Brilliant!
Triumph is what happens when we add ‘umph’ to the word ‘try’.
So that is all us RA have to keep in mind.We will have alot of UMPHS but keep TRYing and your day will be triumphant!!
Also brilliant!!
Fabulous! You put it all so clearly. I’ve posted it to my wall on FB, so hopefully my friends will ‘get it’.
thanks for putting this together – it’s perfect. I’m going to circulate it to friends and co-workers – thanks again!!
Thank you very much on this. I am from Belgrade, Serbia. My mother developed RA more than 20 years ago and we both have been living with it since, each one in their own way. It is really as you described it. My mom is a fighter, one of those that doesn’t look sick and actually never was depressed. But, everything else is there. Great point is Team RA. So, I use this opportunity to pay tribute to all wonderful doctors that are helping us: dr Goran Radunović – rheumatologist, dr Vesna Mijailović – endocrinologist, dr Milan Mijailović – cardiologist and all the others. I send love to all who live with this disease and respect for your patience and courage. Take care!
amazing description – thank you – it made me feel just a little better about having this disease and a little less alone. I am going to share this with friends and family. You put into words – what I could not – and exactly how I feel. Thank You <3
Great going! I think you should go into overtime and add the neurological symptoms: confusion, memory loss, brain fog… dizziness and falling over at the ripe age of 34. It’s scary. You rock!
GREAT list! So true, so true! However, I would like to comment on one issue…
“Many people confuse RA with osteoarthritis, another form of arthritis which is typically associated with age.”
I beg to differ on this one. I know at least a dozen folks personally, and several others via the same doctor, including myself AND my husband, who are affected by osteoarthritis and none of us are “old” or “aged.” (What constitutes the exact age of being “old” anyway??) I realize you didn’t actually use the word “old” in this sentence (and you did say “typically”, yes), but just as the same irritates you when people refer to you as being too young to have RA, it irritates us in the same way when people say we’re too young to have ANY form of arthritis, let alone that it’s osteoarthritis.
Okay, ‘nough said. Thanks for letting me speak… I’ll get down off the stump now.
I am grateful for your website. So much great information here for all of us who suffer these diseases! Thank you!
Thank you for this site..
Thank you RA Guy! You help me and lots of others with your posts!
I am in my 30′s and was diagnosed with RA in my 20′s. This explanation is very good, but I would just like to add that it is not just joints and occasionally organs that become inflamed. This disease attacks our whole body. I have have never had any major hand issues, but I have had muscles and cartilige in my rib cage and my throat inflame as well as tendons (a tendon in my ankle actually tore from inflammation) and my eyes (I lost partial vision once during a flare – thankfully, it came back), and I have scarring in my lungs. People need to know ALL of the serious effects of this disease and how we with RA statistically have our lives shortened by it. Thanks.