So you’ve just received a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and maybe you’re wondering where to start, or where to go for help?

The good news is that combination treatments (medication, lifestyle changes, and therapies) have made RA patients’ lives much easier, and have made it possible for those with rheumatoid arthritis to get through the characteristic joint aches, fatigue, pain, swelling and fever.

But education is a big part of treatment. Be sure to go to your doctor with a list of questions, and make sure he or she is able to answer them with you.

Wondering what to ask?

Lifescript.com – a women’s health and wellness web site – has a series of “Questions to Ask Your Doctor” articles to help you start the conversation. They even include answers from top experts around the country (but you should still ask the questions of your own doctor, to hear about your specific RA severity). The articles cover most common conditions, including RA.

For rheumatoid arthritis, the questions cover:

• Now that I’ve been diagnosed, what’s the next step? The doctor’s answer: Most physicians will start you with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as “methotrexate,” but methotrexate doesn’t necessarily work the same for everyone. Your physician may also give you an oral medication (like prednisone) or a biologic. The goal is to get the symptoms under control within 6 months.
• Does having RA increase risk for other health conditions? It can. Mostly from the medications you take for rheumatoid arthritis, though, so it depends on which medications you take. (Biologics can increase your risk for infection, for instance.) Rheumatoid arthritis also has some link to heart disease, so your doctor will want to monitor you for that.

To learn more important questions to ask about rheumatoid arthritis, and to get more information from Lifescript’s experts about methotrexate, biologics, side effects, surgery, supplements and more, visit “Questions to Ask Your Doctor – RA” regarding treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Also, be sure to visit Lifescript’s online Health Center for RA for even more rheumatoid arthritis information.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Ah, those achy joints! You thought you were doing so well, with your rheumatoid arthritis at bay, when suddenly you end up with those stiff joints again, and all that fatigue. …

It’s a classic rheumatoid arthritis flare, and they can hit at any time.

You know what to do – reach for your medication. But how can you keep a rheumatoid arthritis flare from returning at all?

The best thing you can do, according to Katherine Molnar-Kimber, author of 45 Tips That May Help Prevent and Calm Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares, is to keep a journal of all possible triggers – including your medications, the weather, what you’re eating, your stress levels, and your activities. When flares occur, write those down, too, then look back on the previous days to see if you can find patterns.

Next, know the most probable triggers. They include:

• Change in medication. If you taper off, or forget to take your medication, or take it differently than directed, you can have an RA flare. Always take your medications as directed, and discuss any necessary changes with your doctor.
• Sending your immune system into overdrive. Illness can trigger a flare due to a compromised immune system. Try to stay out of closed-in crowds, especially during cold and flu season. And talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot every year.
• Reduction in muscle and flexibility. You don’t want to become too sedentary, since weight can trigger more pain. Exercise will reduce stiffness, allow your muscles to better carry you throughout the day, and increase your body’s “feel-good trigger,” serotonin.

Visit Lifescript.com for several more tips to avoid the next rheumatoid arthritis flare.

And be sure to swing by Lifescript’s new online Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center for even more rheumatoid arthritis information.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).