Reactive Arthritis »
What is reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis featuring
the following three conditions: (1) inflamed joints, (2)
inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), and (3) inflammation of the
genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems.
This form of joint inflammation is called "reactive arthritis" because it is
felt to involve an immune system that is "reacting" to
the presence of bacterial infections in the genital, urinary, or
gastrointestinal systems. Accordingly, certain people's immune systems are
genetically primed to react aberrantly when these areas are exposed to
certain bacteria. The aberrant reaction of the immune system leads to
spontaneous inflammation in the joints and eyes. This can be confounding to the patient and the doctor when the infection has long passed at the time of presentation with arthritis or eye inflammation.
Reactive arthritis has, in the past, been referred to as Reiter
syndr...
Read the Reactive Arthritis article »
I was diagnosed at age 23 with psoriatic arthritis. I worked night shift as a nurse at the time. I fought the pain for 2 months before going to my doctor to get some relief. After diagnosing myself through some Internet searching, I was referred to a Rheumatologist who started me one sulfasalizine to begin and ketoprofen. The sulfa did not help so I am currently on Methotrexate. I thought it was working but just about 3 weeks ago my knee and 2 additional toes are swelling. Meanwhile I have been moved to day shift and still pulling 12 hour + shifts. I know someday I will not be able to work them, and the time is becoming closer. I love nursing and I cry when I have to hobble in pain to see my patients thinking I need to be a patient myself. Published: September 17 ::