Rheumatoid arthritis support for members

In the early stages of RA, you may not see any swelling in your joints. But you’ll likely feel pain, tenderness and stiffness. Small joints in your hands, wrists and feet will likely be affected first. Other common symptoms of RA include:

Symptoms usually come and go. Particularly bad episodes are called flares. Flares can last for days or weeks before temporarily improving.

Many people with RA also experience fatigue (tiredness). Some may also have a low-grade fever or lose weight. Occasionally, RA can also cause systemic symptoms around your body, like shortness of breath, chest pain, eye pain, numbness or tingling sensations, and more.

RA can look like other inflammatory joint diseases. So to diagnose you, your doctor may begin by asking about your medical history and if members of your family have RA. They’ll likely ask about your symptoms, including how long they last, if they come and go, and your pain level. Your doctor may then:

• Perform a physical exam – Your doctor will look for signs of tenderness, limited movement, swelling, redness, bumps, pain or a low-grade fever.
• Order blood tests – The results of several different blood tests may help your doctor arrive at an RA diagnosis.
• Order imaging tests – Your doctor may order an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at your joints and bones.

The main goal of rheumatoid arthritis treatment is remission. That means stopping inflammation and reducing RA symptoms as much as possible. Your care team will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your goals and lifestyle.

Common RA treatments include:

• Prescription medicines – These often include anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Your doctor will tailor your medicines to your specific symptoms. Be aware that certain prescriptions may require prior authorization as part of HealthPartners coverage criteria.
• Physical and occupational therapy – Physical and occupational therapy can help improve flexibility, reduce strain on your joints, build grip strength and much more. Through therapy, you may also discover home help aids like grabbing or walking devices. These may make it easier to accomplish tasks or get around.
• Surgery – If other RA treatment methods haven’t worked, your doctor may recommend surgery to reduce pain or improve joint function.

Another important part of managing RA is self-care. For example, things you can do at home include:

• Staying active – Recommended activities for people with RA include stretching, strength training, and low- or moderate-intensity cardio. These can all improve your strength, flexibility and overall health. They can also help reduce RA pain and symptoms. Make sure you check with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.
• Protecting your joints – For example, adjusting how you do certain activities can put less strain on your joints. Using heat therapy, like a warm bath or electric blanket, can soothe joints. And taking plenty of time to rest throughout the day can help ensure you don’t wear yourself out.
• Eating healthy foods – People with RA are at increased risk for several conditions, including osteoporosis and heart disease. By choosing foods high in vitamin D and calcium (plus other heart-healthy foods,) you can better protect yourself from complications.
• Quitting smoking, vape or chew – If you have RA, you’re at increased risk for developing plaque in your arteries, which can restrict blood flow to your organs and tissues. Tobacco use increases this risk even more. Quitting can be hard, but you don’t have to do it alone: All HealthPartners plans provide access to a health coach at no additional cost. With a personal coach, you can get the support you need to quit for good.