Is This the Best Time to have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Part 3: Response to RA Mortality Gap
How should we respond to the RA mortality gap?
Responding to the mortality gap seriously
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disease. The progressive toll it takes upon vital organs is well documented. Science Daily: “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with a high risk of early death.” Rheumatoid Arthritis requires the same serious response as breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Response by physicians
Physicians should not neglect to follow up symptoms in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients because they are “chronically” ill and have many ailments. People with the disease may be viewed as having too many recurrent and persistent complaints. Health care providers can begin to view them as whiners and neglect to investigate every complaint. However, high blood pressure, anemia, osteoporosis, and pneumonia are just as critical in patients who already plagued with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Response by everyone
At this point, there is so little general knowledge about Rheumatoid Arthritis that patients themselves must go through a period of learning about the disease after diagnosis so that they can pursue proper treatment. Family members and society in general must also be educated about RA and the needs of those who have it. Too often, there are no modifications of expectations for those who are suddenly disabled by Rheumatoid Arthritis. That can make it difficult for people with rheumatoid disease to obtain the assistance that they need.
Responding with research
Rheumatoid Arthritis also requires the same serious research attention as breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Here are a few suggestions to use research to fight the Mortality Gap and make this a truly better time to live if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Research ought to begin with a focus upon actual patients.
- The target of most research ought to be a cure instead of symptom improvement.
- The other goal of research should be learning to recognize early Rheumatoid Arthritis so that it can be diagnosed at an earlier stage.
Post blog: I was thinking, it’s not like we hold anyone hostage and make these ransom demands. In fact, we are the ones who are held hostage – by RA! We feel pretty helpless. I also remember that Jesus said our response to the least in our world represents of our response to him.
Recommended reading:
- Pyramid Approach to Rheumatoid Arthritis Trashed
- Mortality and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Quality of Life, Part 2
- Is This the Best Time to Have Rheumatoid Arthritis? Part 1: Quality of Life
Kelly,
I am truly blessed by your site and all the information on it. I don’t personally know anyone else with RA and as a working mom of four in her 30s, it can feel very lonely. I was diagnosed with severe early onset of RA 7 weeks ago and it has completely changed our lives. The meds are not yet controlling it and the exhaustion is nearly as bad as the pain.
Looking forward to getting to know other sisters with ra and feeling that bond with them:)
Thanks and God bless you!
Heather
I am so thankful to find your site I have had b arthritis for 30 yrs.I have
Needed knee surgery since 1995 & I refused surgery I am a coward,I regret not having the surgery,my life is filled with excreting pain I am unable to walk.Because of my stubbornness I spend my time in a great deal of pain and confined to my home.Approx.2 yrs ago my Dr.discovered Rheumatoid Arthritis.I am wanting to know if Dr realize the severe,severe pain and all of the. Other serious conditions that are caused by this disease. Many days I have wanted to give up..sometimes your loved ones don’t think that your pain & how bad your entire body hurts is that bad, I take 160mg of oxycontin twice a day &I still get very little relief I would like you to give me a site or books for them to read that let’s them know the severity of the disease &how it cripples your entire & the other conditions that Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause. Thank you Adrienne
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This disease sucks!!! Been in a really bad flare for a week, can’t sleep, double the pain, and the not sleeping just exacerbates the pain…uugh!! Seeing my Rheumy tomorrow, just a follow up before my infusion, but I may ask for a medrol pack, I usually wade these flares out. Have I mentioned this disease sucks!!!
The only way to deal with the mortality gap is by fighting. Educating ourselves is imperative. I have given up enough because of RD. Will be setting up knee replacement next week. I go through depression but snapping out of most recent bout. I no longer will let people drag me down with their unrealistic expectations of me. Have just had my last argument about what someone thinks I can do. Sorry about the rant, I can be strong here. Thank you, Kelly. It has taken me long enough to get to this point.
thanks for your awesome words, Patricia. We all need the reminder once in a while.