Welcome back to part two of my rheumatoid arthritis guide! In this post, we’re talking about juvenile arthritis, the Mediterranean diet, methotrexate, osteoarthritis, and so much more. As always, please keep in mind that not all patients have the same symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and my experience with and opinion of rheumatoid arthritis medications are my own. I’ve tried to accumulate as many explanations for rheumatoid arthritis patients as possible in these posts – and I’ve tried to include anecdotal experiences as well as definitions – but I’ve definitely missed things. 

This post became so long that I had to split it up. Check out Part 1 and Part 3 or get an ad-free version of all 3 parts here. 

I am not a medical professional of any kind. This post contains affiliate links; thank you for supporting Kate the (Almost) Great®!

I would be remiss to not mention the inspiration for these posts: Sheryl’s post Antiphospholipid Syndrome Diagnosis: The A to Z Guide as a Patient on her blog A Chronic Voice. I know that she’s not the first person to share something like that for their illness, but it’s what prompted this post. Be sure to check out her blog for more chronic illness resources!

In this post, you’ll see everything from blood tests run to related illnesses, from symptom definitions to medication terms, from diets commonly followed by patients to medications taken by patients, and beyond. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide: J-P

J

JAK-Inhibitor

JAK-inhibitors are drugs that go after janus kinases. They “decrease your immune system’s ability to make certain enzymes that can lead to RA symptoms” (x). 

They’re actually a sub-category of DMARDs (x). I’m not positive, but I believe that you are only ever on 1 JAK-inhibitor at a time.

What Is a Chronic Illness? And Other Frequently Asked Questions

Joint Replacement

This is an overarching term that refers to a wide variety of surgeries.

The American College of Rheumatology says, “These surgeries involve removing worn cartilage from both sides of the joint, then resurfacing the joint with a metal and plastic implant. The implant looks and functions much like a normal joint” (x). 

These surgeries are generally the last option for treating arthritis damage in a joint (x). For example, for all my messed up joints, I haven’t had a joint replacement yet, which I’m pretty proud of given how things looked in 2010. 

That being said, joint replacements can last a long time – decades, even – and they’re very safe surgeries (x).

Self-Care Tips That Chronic Illness Patients Need

Juvenile Arthritis

First and foremost, “juvenile arthritis” is used to describe all types of arthritis in kids (x). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis “is the most common type of arthritis in kids and teens” (x). The Arthritis Foundation says, “The word ‘idiopathic’ means unknown, and researchers aren’t sure why kids develop JIA” (x). 

There are 6 types of JIA, and kids can start with one type of JIA and then later it shifts to be a different type of arthritis as they age (x). There’s no cure for JIA. Patients might go into remission, which the Arthritis Foundation defines as “​​little or no disease activity or symptoms” (x).

What I’ve Learned About Life from My Autoimmune Disease

K

Kevzara 

This is one of the IL-6-inhibitor medications. It’s actually unique in this post in that it’s almost exclusively used for rheumatoid arthritis; everything else is used for at least three other conditions.

To The Loved Ones of People with Arthritis

Kinesiology Tape

This is a tool to use if you have joint pain. KT tape has allowed me to use my right hand, supported my shoulder, and helped my knees move in the proper way without my kneecaps floating. 

My preferred brand is called KT tape, but kinesiology tape is a descriptor; other brands make it, too. The KT tape website has different instruction videos and PDFs to help you use it correctly. If you don’t see the area of the body or the purpose that you’re looking for on their website, then you can email them to ask. They’re super nice and will help the best they can!

KT Tape is the sort of thing where you will get the most benefit if you use it preemptively. It might help a little if a certain joint is already hurting, but it helps best by reducing the pain before it gets bad. Before I got my compression gloves, I taped the knuckle that connects my forefinger to my hand at the beginning of every workday. While I don’t do it as frequently now, I still use it during tough times. I’m wearing some right now! It super helps.

KT tape also comes in lots of fun colors. Nothing is different except for the color, but it’s a great way to make you smile a bit if, like me, you like color.

What Is Self-Advocacy? An Answer + Strategies To Help

L

Low Fevers

One of the common RA symptoms is actually getting low fevers (x). This is because “the same substances that cause inflammation of the joints can also cause a fever” (x). Remember – in RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body, and when the immune system attacks something, it creates a fever. 

So how do you know when it’s a sickness fever and when it’s (what I call) an autoimmune fever? 

Advice for Aspiring Doctors: What You Need To Know

If you don’t have any sickness symptoms other than a fever under 101, it’s probably RA. I can’t tell you how often I’ve felt fine but off only to discover that I had a fever of 99. My normal body temperature is 96.7, so if it gets up to 99, obviously I’m going to feel it. But if I feel not amazing but not bad and I have a temperature of 99? It’s my immune system.

Always loop in your medical team if you’re on immunosuppressants, but keep in mind that if your only symptom is a fever, it might just be your body doing what it does.

Living Life with Chronic Illness: Common Problems & Their Solutions

M

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is a style of eating that focuses on plant-based foods and healthy fats (x). Following this diet involves eating lots of vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, fish, little or no red meat, and a moderate amount of natural cheese (x).

Of all the different diets and styles of eating, the Mediterranean diet is one of the best for RA patients as it naturally helps you lower inflammation (x).

You might be wondering how the Mediterranean diet varies from the AIP diet. The AIP diet is a tool for figuring out what foods irritate your immune system and isn’t necessarily meant to be a full lifestyle change, while the Mediterranean diet is. The diet is based on what people living on the Mediterranean have historically eaten.

What You Need To Know about Living with Chronic Pain in the Winter

Methotrexate 

This is a common DMARD and is taken as a pill or an injection. It’s also a form of chemotherapy and is prescribed for both cancer and autoimmune diseases (x). You’ll sometimes see it abbreviated as MTX.

In my opinion, one of the things that makes methotrexate the worst is the fact that it works. The side effects are famously awful – mostly nausea and fatigue. But, again, it works, and it makes other medications work better. 

What Does Arthritis Pain Actually Feel Like?

Mobility Aid

A mobility aid is anything that helps you be more mobile. These are generally canes, crutches, walking sticks, rollators, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.

If your life is better with a mobility aid, you should use one. And if you get a mobility aid, you don’t have to use it every day. You can use it occasionally or every day. 

I love my cane. It makes my life better, even though it took me a long time to accept that I might sometimes need it.

If you’re on the fence, get a cheap cane from Amazon – like this one – and see if it helps you. That way, if it does, you can spend the money on a better-quality product and feel good knowing that you’re not “wasting” your money. 

We Need To Talk about the “Disease Warrior” Model

Morning Stiffness

One key sign of inflammatory arthritis is morning stiffness. This means pretty much what it sounds like: I’m extra stiff in the morning. For me personally, this also means some morning pain. It’s different than pain later in the day, as it’s more like pain from my joints taking a while to warm up in the morning. When I’m doing well, my morning stiffness and pain last about 30 minutes. When I’m not, it can take at least 2 hours to wear off.

Because of this, I like to wake up way earlier than I might otherwise. If I start work at 8, for example, I want to wake up between 6 and 7. This gives me time to mentally and physically fully wake up. My morning pain is around the joints that are particularly stiff. For example, my good knee feels not-terrible most of the time, but it is difficult first thing in the morning. It is stiff and I have more pain in the morning in that knee than I do during the rest of the day.

Why You Must Track Symptoms of Your Chronic Illness + Freebie To Help

MRI 

MRI – or magnetic resonance imaging – is a type of imaging that “uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body” (x). MRIs help doctors look at your organs, tissues, and skeletal system and can be done on any part of your body.

MRIs are good for showing inflammation, bone erosion, cartilage damage, scar tissue, and more (x). In 2017, I had an MRI of my foot to help determine if I was going to need surgery. The MRI showed tarsal coalitions, scar tissue, cartilage damage, and bone erosion. In 2024, I had an MRI of my face to determine if the double vision I was experiencing was due to inflammation or problems with my orbital nerve. 

What To Do When Chronic Pain Becomes Too Much

N

NSAID

NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is what this class of medications is: they’re not steroids and they reduce inflammation. WebMD says, “By blocking the Cox enzymes, NSAIDs stop your body from making as many prostaglandins. This means less swelling and less pain” (x). 

As you likely know, inflammation is a common symptom of arthritis, which is why these help. The problem is that it’s not great for your body to take NSAIDs every single day. A common side effect is that they “can cause ulcers and other problems in your esophagus, stomach, or small intestine” (x). 

These are medications like Aleve or Advil, but they’re not paracetamol or Tylenol.  

The Impact of Chronic Illness on an Individual

O

Occupational Therapy 

Occupational therapy focuses on helping you do everyday things. The Arthritis Foundation says, “An occupational therapist is a specialist who helps people with arthritis maximize their ability to participate in activities safely and enhance their quality of life” (x).

Beginner’s Guide: Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Up

Orencia 

Orencia is biologic medication given by injection or infusion. It is similar to some other medications in this guide in that it’s a TNF-inhibitor.

Describing Pain Levels to a Doctor

Orthopedic/Orthopedist

Orthopedic surgeons are doctors who specialize in one or a few joints and, if necessary, perform surgery. But they don’t only do surgery. For example, my knee orthopedist has given me way more cortisone injections than he has operated on me! 

Sometimes their specialty is sports medicine, which, contrary to the naming convention, does not require all patients to be athletes. Sometimes their specialty is repairing OA damage and doing replacements. It depends on what exactly your body needs.

How Chronic Illness Affects Relationships

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is known as wear-and-tear arthritis, as it’s “when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time” (x). According to the Mayo Clinic, “the slick surface of the cartilage becomes rough. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, you may be left with bone rubbing on bone” (x).

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include pain during or after movement, joint tenderness when pressure is applied, joint stiffness first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity, loss of flexibility, feeling or hearing a grating sensation when the joint moves, or bone spurs (x).

Specific joints with osteoarthritis might react slightly differently. For example, hip arthritis symptoms include pain in the groin area or sometimes on the inside of the knee or thigh (x). Knee osteoarthritis feels like grating or scraping when moving the knee (x). In the fingers, you might develop bone spurs around the affected joints, which can cause swelling, tenderness, and redness (x).

How Arthritis Affects the Body

P

PCP

PCP stands for primary care physician, also known as your GP, or general physician. They are the one you call when you think you have strep throat and the one who refers you to specialists. Depending on what you need and your specific doctor, they might be the quarterback of your medical team or they might be a figure on the periphery who you rarely talk to. 

So Someone Healthy Has Given You Health Advice

Physical Therapy  

You might think PT is only for after you have a surgery or after an injury, but it doesn’t have to be! The Arthritis Foundation says, “Goals of physical therapy in arthritis include improving the mobility and restoring the use of affected joints, increasing strength to support the joints, and maintaining fitness and the ability to perform daily activities” (x).

Chronic Illness Advice: Resources for the Newly-Diagnosed Patient

Prednisone

This is a steroid commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The American College of Rheumatology says, “It is often used to treat a variety of inflammatory symptoms, including redness, swelling and pain. Prednisone is used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and many other inflammatory diseases” (x). 

Like many patients, I have a love-hate relationship with prednisone. This is because, while it works, I don’t like how it makes me feel. I feel jittery, incredibly hungry, and anxious. It’s hard to sleep and I get angry easier. Experiencing this while I’m already in pain is no fun.

How Is Arthritis Treated?

Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is “a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis — a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales” (x). While most people develop psoriasis first and psoriatic arthritis second, sometimes people develop arthritis first (x).

Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis work similarly to rheumatoid arthritis. There is also a history of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in my family, which is why I was first diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis before the diagnosis was changed to rheumatoid.

Additionally, while you might not really pay attention to this when out and about in your day, there is a difference between eczema and psoriasis. Eczema itches patients, while psoriasis often hurts patients and may or may not itch (x). They also look different; eczema is “scaly, oozing, or crusty” while psoriasis can be “silvery and scaly” and raised (x).

If you’re American, pay attention to the commercials for Humira or Enbrel next time they play. Depending on the ad, you might see it being addressed to RA patients, psoriasis patients, Crohn’s patients, or all three. 

Arthritis Glossary: Frequently Used Words

As mentioned, this is a 3-part series. Check out Part 1 and Part 3. 

Like this post? Share it! Then check out: 

Helping Someone with RA, My Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment + How I Got There, Problems from My Inflammatory Arthritis + How To Deal with Them, Chronic Illness and Mental Health