Arthritis: Symptoms, Types, Causes & Treatment Options

If You’re in Remission on a DMARD for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Should You Taper? Here’s What New Research Says

New data compares what happens when the dosage of DMARDs such as methotrexate is tapered or kept steady. For most rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, sustained remission (inactive disease) is the…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis

If Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation Is Improving, Be Patient: Less Pain and Fatigue May Be Coming

Knowing there could be a lag between objective measures of improvement and patient-reported outcomes could help prevent over-treatment. When a rheumatologist measures disease activity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Chronic Awareness

Good News for Pregnant Women with Arthritis: Most Babies Exposed to Biologics in Utero Don’t Get Serious Infections

Although biologics cross the placenta, research shows they lead to few infections in babies after they’re born. The prospect of pregnancy can be daunting for women with inflammatory arthritis. Not…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis

Here’s More Data That Suggests We Shouldn’t Use Opioids to Treat Osteoarthritis Pain

Surprisingly, stronger opioids were the worst at relieving pain in a new multi-study analysis. Despite concerns about safety and addiction, lots of people with osteoarthritis (OA) take opioids to address…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Chronic illness Chronic Pain

22% of U.S. Patients with Arthritis Have ‘High-Impact’ Chronic Pain — Here’s What That Means

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that arthritis might be a leading cause of chronic pain in the U.S. Chronic pain can occur for…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis

This Is Important for RA Patients to Know: Taming Inflammation Doesn’t Always Alleviate Pain

"This may have implications for management decisions beyond treating to disease activity targets alone." Pain and inflammation often go hand in hand, especially for people with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Fibromyalgia Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nearly 20% of People with Spondyloarthritis Also Have Fibromyalgia, New Data Show

Female patients were much more likely to have a dual diagnosis. Small studies have suggested an overlap between spondyloarthritis (SpA) and fibromyalgia, but now a larger meta-analysis confirms it: About…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis

30% of RA Patients Don’t See Fatigue Improve After Starting Treatment

And a few factors seemed to be responsible, including being obese and also having fibromyalgia. When most people think about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), they focus on joint pain, swelling, and…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Fibromyalgia Rheumatoid Arthritis

Medical Marijuana for Arthritis: Does Legal Status Affect Whether Patients Use It — or Talk to Their Doctor About It?

No matter who you talk to in the chronic pain, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disease community — patients, clinicians, researchers, public health experts — medical marijuana is controversial. Is it safe?…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021

Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis

These Are the Methotrexate Side Effects That Make Arthritis Patients Stop Taking It

Methotrexate (MTX) is considered a “first-line” therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis (PsA). But despite the well-known benefits of helping to reduce symptoms…

chronicwoman 03/31/2021