Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Don't Rule My Aud Life

Diving back into the topic of the autoimmune disease, Lupus, I’m going to talk about the diagnosis and treatment processes that are involved. Right now, there isn’t a single test that is used to diagnosed Lupus, it’s based on a combination of results of symptoms, blood work, and the patients medical history used to discover the abnormalities in the organ systems. Urinalysis and x-rays may also be ordered to make further confirmation. Specific tests that are relevant to the diagnosis of Lupus are sedimentation rate and CRP that are used to identify inflammation, an Antinuclear antibody test, and a Complement test to detect the presence of a specific antibody or antigen.

The severity of the symptoms of Lupus will determine the type of treatment. For inflammation control, NSAID’s (NonSteroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs) are commonly prescribed for a patient. Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD’s), such as Plaquenil, is also a frequently prescribed medication to treat Lupus, along with immunosuppressants such as CellCept, cyclosprine and Imuran. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone are another option of treatment for Lupus.

As with other autoimmune diseases, there is no known cure as yet, but further tests of new treatments and discoveries are being performed and proven successful more and more each year.

So, as my title “Differences and Similarities between Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis” says, let’s take a quick over view of the differences and similarities. Similarities: both are autoimmune diseases with no known cure, both cause joint pain and inflammation, fatigue, inflammation affecting other organs. Treatments are similar as well with NSAID’s, DMARD’s and prednisone. Differences are mostly in the symptoms with Lupus revealing a possible tell-tale of a ‘butterfly-rash’ or malar rash on the cheeks and bridge of nose, a discoid rash- sores on the face, neck and chest, mouth sores or ulcers and a sensitivity reaction to sunlight (photosensitivity).

Before I end, something’s that I also didn’t realize before was that there 5 possible types of Lupus:

-the most common is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus involving multiple organs and the most serious

-Discoid Lupus Erythematosus involves only the skin, not other organs

-A drug induced Lupus is a reaction to specific prescription medications. The symptoms mimic SLE but it doesn’t influence the central nervous system or kidneys.

-Neonatal Lupus is an unusual disease which affects newborn babies.

-Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus seems more of a photosensitivity form of Lupus causing skin lesions to appear on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun.

One more thing, when I’ve had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Duncan, I’ve always made a point of reminding her of how much I appreciated her as a teacher and now I’ll have to tell her how much I understand the road she’s traveled, as we both live and SUCCEED with our autoimmune diseases.

Thank you Mrs. Duncan!

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I thought I would do a little research into the history of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I really enjoy history and since I have RA, why not combine the two! It goes back pretty far; farther than I thought it would. Some skeletal remains in what is now Tennessee that are dated back to 4500 BC have shown some signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis. So far, that’s been the earliest appearance of this condition.

The first documented appearance of Rheumatoid Arthritis comes much later in 123 AD in India. A text called the Caraka Samhita contains a description of what sounds like RA, painful joints in both hands and feet, eventually spreading to other areas of the body, there was also record of occasional fever and appetite loss.

Then we jump ahead to 1591 in France. A French physician, Guillaume de Baillou, wrote one of the first books on the arthritis disease. He uses the term “rheumatism” to give description to an ailment with inflammation, stiffness in muscles, and pain in the joints. “The whole body hurts, in some the face is flushed; pain is most severe around the joints, so that the slightest movement of the foot, hand or fingers causes a cry of pain…At night…the pain becomes more serious and the patient cannot sleep.”

A Peruvian bark containing quinine, an anti- malarial agent was being used in 1680 to treat the symptoms of rheumatism. Then in 1763, another bark was discovered to produce positive results in fighting the effects of rheumatism; willow bark contains salicylate, the main ingredient for aspirin. Are you still with me? Sorry, if you haven’t found this exciting- I love it!

The term Rheumatoid Arthritis wasn’t coined until a London physician, Sir Alfred Garrod, came up with it in 1859 and that was the start of RA being recorded in medical books and records. Before the 19^th century came to an end, joint replacement surgery had begun with a carbon steel screw and plates system developed by W.A. Lane, in 1893. The x-ray is developed in 1895 which allowed physicians to see actual damage and inflammation of an arthritis sufferer. Two years later, in 1897, aspirin is manufactured by the company Bayer, using the willow bark substance, discovered over a century before. It fast became known world wide as a standard treatment for pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

Turning the corner into the new twentieth century, gold shots became a form of therapy for this chronic condition. In 1927, gold salts began to be injected into patients periodically to relieve muscle pain, associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Two years later, in 1929, the first artificial hip joint was patented and in 1939, down in Melbourne Australia, Sir McFarlane Burnet introduced the first autoimmunity theory. This is the theory that antibodies cause the body’s immune system to malfunction and attack its own tissues. Almost 70 years later, this theory still holds true!

In the 1940’s Rheumatoid Arthritis gained more recognition with the 1941 American Rheumatism Association, and in 1946, the American Committee to Control Rheumatism is founded and two short years later the Arthritis Foundation begins. More important discoveries are uncovered in 1948; Drs. E.C. Kendall and Philip Hench show the world that steroid hormones can be used as therapeutic anti-inflammatory- they win the Nobel Prize! Still keeping with 1948, a discovery just as important is made known; a test is developed called the Rose-Waaler diagnostic test, which reveals the antibody known as the rheumatoid factor is found only in the blood of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The next fifty years of the century saw many new treatments, procedures and surgeries discovered. Prednisone, a synthetic off shoot of cortisone is ushered in and begins the most popular oral cortisteroid medication, in 1955. Plaquenil is also introduced as the new anti-malarial drug used to put Rheumatoid Arthritis into remission (remember the Peruvian bark extract used in 1680? That’s the basis!)

There you have it; my little history research on Rheumatoid Arthritis. I would love it, if you could tell me more! Please do!

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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! 

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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?

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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!

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