Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), now called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), impacts an estimated 300,000 children in the U.S. (about 1 in every 1,000). 1 While a challenging diagnosis, newer treatments in the past few decades have thankfully helped with moderating the disease, hopefully preventing permanent damage and lessening disability in many children.

B vitamins. Vitamins B6 and B12 are commonly found to be at deficient levels in people with RA. 1 There is some evidence that B vitamins provide benefits in people with RA. For instance, vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce levels of inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), in ...

I have raised my grandson since he was 2 or 3 weeks old. We danced, wrestled, played, ran, climbed, swung, slid, etc. Then about 8 years ago I was diagnosed with chronic moderate to severe RA. He was 3 then. Now he is 11 and he tells me he wishes that I was better so we could go back to being able ...

For as long as I can remember, I've found that non-medicinal methods of managing my RA have been just as important as the medication I take (currently Remicade). I've used braces and topical creams like Biofreeze or Tiger Balm. I've used foam rolling, gentle stretching, and moderate exercising. I've ...

Along with the pain associated with our joints that are a distinct mark of an RA flare, some also experience muscle cramps. Though not necessarily related to a flare, there is an association with RA.Joint inflammation can cause our muscles to tighten and cramp. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may be linked to muscle pain and cramping. 1

In exploring available medication options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the off-label use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has gotten a lot of attention in recent years.. What is low-dose naltrexone? Naltrexone is a medication traditionally used to block the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief, and is most typically prescribed for the treatment of opioid and alcohol abuse. 1

Note: I always recommend checking with your doctor first before adding anything to your treatment regimen. Physical items. Braces (ex: wrist brace, ankle brace, knee brace) - sometimes, having these available on hand is more helpful than I can explain. If a certain joint is feeling particularly painful, needing to be stabilized or protected, I turn to braces for short periods of time.

Find out about rheumatoid arthritis including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, patient stories, support, and much more from an RA community perspective.

What happens when I have a strong suspicion of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but the 2 traditional lab markers (rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies) are not coming back positive? I have found that VECTRA testing can be helpful to determine whether a person might have seronegative RA. A …

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have greatly improved treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People with RA now have more and better treatment options. DMARDs can change the course of the disease. They can slow or prevent damage to joints and related structures. 1,2 Biologic DMARDs ...