From theapopkavoice.com
(BPT) - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic and potentially debilitating autoimmune disease that is estimated to affect over 1.3 million people in the U.S. alone. Hallmark signs and symptoms include joint pain, fatigue and morning stiffness, though early RA tends to affect smaller joints first and can progress throughout the body. While RA most often begins between the ages of 30 and 50, it can start at any age, according to the World Health Organization.
If you or a loved one are looking to better understand and manage RA, check out these tips from Audrey Gibson, a board-certified physician assistant (PA).
Sanofi developed and sponsored this article and compensated Audrey for her time. The content in this article is not medical advice and is not intended to provide diagnosis or treatment for any of the medical conditions that may be discussed in this article.
Question: What challenges might individuals face when looking for the right treatment plan?
Answer: Every RA journey is unique and people living with RA have different treatment goals, which could present a challenge when it comes to a treatment course that helps manage their symptoms.
Even people who understand how the disease impacts their own health may still be working to find a treatment that is right for them. Partnering with a healthcare professional or practitioner can help individuals living with RA manage their condition and determine the best treatment path.
Q: What are the tell-tale signs that a treatment may not be working?
A: Oftentimes, breakthrough symptoms like fatigue, morning stiffness and joint pain can signal that a particular treatment is no longer working and it may be time to consider a new treatment.
Q: What can someone do to curb these symptoms and get on the right treatment plan?
A: Individuals living with RA should partner with their healthcare professional to understand their treatment options. They should accurately track and share their RA symptoms — including any possible breakthrough symptoms. This helps practitioners more accurately provide treatment directives and recommendations.
Q: How can someone living with RA prepare for these conversations?
A: To make the most of this discussion, I encourage people to be prepared to talk through any symptoms they are continuing to experience. Individuals living with RA should:
- Prepare a list of questions to help guide the discussion
- Keep a journal to track symptoms and bring it to every appointment
- Share photos of visible symptoms
Q: How can healthcare professionals best engage with their patients during these discussions?
A: As a PA, I aim to be empathetic and listen intentionally to support my patients in their disease and treatment journey.
If conversations with your HCP indicate that you are continuing to experience symptoms of uncontrolled RA, discuss other potential treatment options.
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