Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Don't Rule My Aud Life

I came across the term septic arthritis when I was doing some research and it sparked my interest. A few years I had strep throat go septic, and boy, was I sick! I was fortunate to have it caught just in time before my kidneys were about to shut down . Since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I thought this would be something worth looking into.

Septic arthritis which can also be called infectious arthritis, is the invasion of the joint with bacterial infection; in rare cases fungal or viral infection is the cause. The source of the bacteria is usually carried to the joint by the bloodstream from an infectious source elsewhere in the body. It may also be caused by a lesion or skin ulcer that penetrates the joint, bone or connective tissue.

People who have had joint replacement or joint surgery, have had recent trauma or injury to a joint or those who have a blood infection are most likely to develop septic arthritis. Additional risks are people over 80, diabetics, those with a weakened immune system, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Septic arthritis typically causes severe joint pain in one particular area, but some cases have reported more than one affected joint. This condition can destroy joints quickly in just a short period of time, so quick diagnosis and treatment is extremely important.

Diagnosis can be done by x ray, but may show specific range of infection; it is more commonly done through laboratory testing. Blood cultures are taken to evaluate white and red blood cell count, and to determine the microorganism causing the infection. Aspiration of the joint may also be done to acquire a synovial fluid analysis to not only identify microorganisms, but also to check for crystals in the joint fluid, that may indicate a different or co-existing cause for joint pain.

Treatment is usually done through intravenous antibiotics also fluid is usually aspired from the joint to relieve the pressure and in some cases surgery is needed to drain fluid and repair joint. Sometimes multiple drugs need to be taken over an extended period of time when dealing with stubborn bacteria called mycobacterium.

I’m glad I’ve done my research and have become more familiarized with this condition. It certainly sounds nasty, and it’s something I want to keep my eyes peeled for. Staying informed and aware is a great way to keep up a happy, healthy, long life.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay out of trouble! 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

No Comments Yet »

I’m sure I’ve said it before in a previous post that I’m feeling better in my 30’s than I did in my 20’s, but I’m wanting to make that point again. For about 10 years I was quite a bit miserable, in a out of hospital for so many reasons from stomach and back issues, to having strokes and surgeries. By the time I turned 30 my medical chart was over 2 inches thick and I felt old. There was a 30 year old face in the mirror, but I felt 90.  The biggest reason was the <em>Rheumatoid Arthritis</em> that caused me to feel creaky and rusty like the tin man in Oz before the oil can relief!

So why am I feeling so “awesome” now? I’m learning to live with a different mind set, instead of putting others needs first, taking care of myself has become priority. Let me explain before I get called a selfish wench! How can I help properly when I’m barely able to get around myself? I might as well do nothing because I’m not going to do a lick of quality good for anyone. When I’m healthy and happy I’m in a better position to participate and people actually enjoy my presence because I’m not cranky!

The first step was to inform myself about arthritis and what arthritis causes. I then used my medical history along with professional health care advice to map out the supplements and medications I would be able to take to reduce pain and damage. The next process was getting physically active, starting out slow and doing things I truly enjoyed. 

I found my hobbies to be a great source of therapy. They not only gave me physical activity but my mind was taken off the disease for the time being. Playing the guitar and piano, painting and other creative outlets provide amazing exercise for my hands. Gardening, walking and muscle building has improved my knees, back and feet.

I’m not saying that everyday is a bowl of sickly sweet sunshine, I do have the occasional heavy storm clouds rolling in, but they’re not as severe or frequent as they were, even a year ago. It’s a fantastic feeling to look back upon my day and see all I’ve accomplished despite the fact that I have <em>Rheumatoid Arthritis.</em>

Everyone has interests or hobbies that keep them active - can you share your story?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

6 Comments »

Tha last time I officially worked outside my house, was in 1997. For the fist time in over 10 years, I went to work at the office yesterday, by 9:30 last night I was thinking I was nuts! I’m the mother of 2 busy girls, coordinator & cook of a bustling household, living with rheumatoid arthritis and now going to work.

I’ve been working from home off and on for the past few years and have found it to be a little hard to get a lot accomplished while in my house. The phone was ringing, laundry was calling me from the hamper, the dog wanted a walk, all the finicky, time consuming things seemed to be getting in the way and I was frustrated. I made the decision in August that I would move into my husband’s downtown office once the girls were back in school.

The office is a pretty relaxed atmosphere, casual and maybe a little too much fun; some of our johncow.com commercials are a little out there! We’re having a good time.

I’m hoping that it will be a good decision, my husband’s office is separate and we’re not on each other’s nerves, and I’m able to have 5 hours where I can focus on work and not have the phone ringing, doors knocking, cat and dog clamoring for attention and housework making me feel guilty! Being the procrastinator that I am, I’ll deal with it later!

The blessing of it is that when arthritis comes creeping I’m able to take the time that I need to rest and recuperate. Not a lot of arthritis people in the workplace can do that, either they need to grin and deal with it, or they need to find another job.

At the moment my RA isn’t in the way of my job, but how is it with you? Is your arthritis getting in the way of your career? How have you adapted? I’m all ears!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

3 Comments »

A frustrating aspect of arthritis is the fact that what might work and relieve pain for one sufferer may not do the same for another. There is no one remedy for this condition, especially the auto immune disease Rheumatoid Arthritis. But many with osteo-arthritis have found chondroitin to be helpful.

Chrondroitin, along with glucosamine, plays a  part in normal, healthy cartilage. Also known as chondroitin sulfate (chondroitin with mineral salt), chondroitin sulfuric acid or chonsurical; it can be made from natural sources such as shark cartilage, pig or cow cartilage or it can synthetically be made in a laboratory.

Taken together with glucosamine can help restore the cartilage in the damaged joint, therefore possibly relieving pain for the sufferer. With fewer side effects than ibuprofen, this may be a good avenue to take for many arthritis patients.

Like glucosamine, chondroitin comes in tablet, capsule, liquid or powder and sometimes may be already combined as one form instead of taking them separately.

In the research that I have done on chondroitin there have been 2 sides, some sing it’s praises and some say it’s no better than a placebo.

Since I need to be on high amounts of blood thinners, I’ve been strongly advised not to take chondroitin because of possible interactions, but I would love to hear from someone who has experience with this supplement.

I’m very interested if anyone who has rheumatoid or osteo arthritis and has taken chondroitin and/or glucosamine and what they thought of it. Drop me a line!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

2 Comments »

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, the main item on the table is the joints the disease affects. This auto immune disease attacks the body’s own tissues primarily in the lining of the joints and causes a lot of painful damage. Repairing the joint and maintaining healthy movement can be done through taking supplements of glucosamine.

Glucosamine, also called chitosamine, is a natural substance that is found in the covering of shellfish. It is simply a molecule containing glucose and can be in two forms, glucosamine sulphate (mineral salt) and N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG). The body uses these glucose molecules to form larger molecules that aide in connective tissue and cartilage maintenance and repair.

The primary use for glucosamine is for arthritis; both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. To treat the affected joints, reducing pain and inflammation and improving mobility. The secondary use is for preventative measures against arthritis or age related joint conditions. It is also helpful in quickening the recovery of a sprained or strained joint such as a finger, ankle or wrist.

Taking glucosamine for arthritis can be simply done by taking 1500mg daily and splitting it into three doses. Take it with food or it may upset your stomach and be prepared to take it for a long period of time. It may take 3 to 8 weeks before it starts to show signs of working. Generally, this supplement is safe to take with other supplements but always consult a qualified heath-care practitioner.

There have been no reported side effects aside from nausea if taken on empty stomach; but if you react negatively to shellfish you may not be able to take glucosamine because it is harvested from shellfish. This supplement comes in tablet, capsule, liquid or powder form and can be found at most pharmacies. Once again, before starting any new treatment for arthritis, be sure to consult your health care provider.

Next post I’ll chat about chondroitin, but for now I want to know what opinion is on glucosamine. Do you take it? Has it worked for you?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

No Comments Yet »