Rheumatoid Arthritis »
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid
arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well
as in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when
the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system. The immune
system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies
designed normally
to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly
infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood
that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with
inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body,
rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes
called rheumatoid disease.
While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic
illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may ex...
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I am a 53-year-old female that has been diagnosed with vasculitis (PAN). I was referred to a rheumatologist and am on prednisone and methotrexate, probably for two years. My symptoms were lesions on my legs, Reynaud’s syndrome in my fingers and toes, fevers, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. My doctor says the longer I am on treatment, the better my chances are for a long-term remission. I spent 10 months with one doctor before I tried an internist, who suggested right away that it might be vasculitis. I am grateful for the quick diagnosis. Published: May 05 ::