Learn About Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of function in the joints that occurs when your immune system mistakenly starts attacking healthy tissue. If not managed properly over time, RA can cause joint damage and can even result in permanent joint destruction.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
RA affects approximately 1.3 million Americans, but unlike the more common osteoarthritis (OA), RA is not associated with factors, such as aging, obesity or injury. Instead, RA consists of symptoms that are associated with inflammation.
Symptoms vary, but can include:
- Joint pain, swelling and stiffness
- Fatigue and muscle pain
- Flu-like symptoms, including low-grade fever
- Worse joint stiffness after sleeping or prolonged sitting
- Flares of disease activity followed by remission or disease inactivity
- Rheumatoid nodules, or lumps of tissue under the skin
- Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
Learn About Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects 10% to 30% of the millions of Americans who have the condition, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by frequent episodes of redness and itching; thick, dry, silvery scales on the skin; and nail abnormalities.
There are five types of psoriatic arthritis
It is important to know which type of psoriatic arthritis you have and to understand its characteristics so it can be treated properly.
Symmetric Psoriatic Arthritis:
Affects the same joints — usually in multiple matching pairs — on both sides of the body. It can be disabling and progressively destructive.
Asymmetric Psoriatic Arthritis:
Typically involves one to three joints in the body — large or small — such as the knee, hip, or one or several fingers.
Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP):
Involves primarily the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail.
Spondylitis:
Affects the spinal column, and may cause inflammation and stiffness in the neck, lower back, spinal vertebrae, or sacroiliac region (pelvic area), making motion difficult.
Arthritis Mutilans:
A rare but destructive form of psoriatic arthritis that primarily affects the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail, but also is frequently associated with lower back and neck pain.
Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
Psoriatic Arthritis causes inflammation, mainly in your joints, as well as affects other parts of your body. Some symptoms can be similar to rheumatoid arthritis, so your doctor may want to do tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms can include:
- Swelling in your knees, ankles, feet and hands.
- Stiff joints that are typically worse early in the morning.
- Pain and stiffness in your neck, upper back, lower back, and buttocks.
- Damage to the joints at the ends of fingers and toes.
- Inflammation where a muscle connects to a bone, such as the Achilles tendon.
- Tiny dents, called pitting, and ridges in your nails.
- Inflammation in the colored part of your eye, called the iris.
- Although rare, chest pain and shortness of breath can be symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
RA & PA Treatment
A number of arthritis treatments and approaches can help, including physical and occupational therapy, exercise and medications. Some of these medications are used for the purpose of pain relief only (analgesics) and others are used to reduce joint inflammation (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and corticosteroids).
One class of prescription medicines used to treat RA and PA is called DMARDs or Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs. For people with moderately to severely active RA, biologic DMARDs (biologics) may be an option. Biologics are used to treat the pain and swelling of RA, but some may also help prevent further joint damage. Talk with your rheumatologist about the risks and benefits of your rheumatoid arthritis treatment options.
Resources
Skyemed, Your Partner Against Rheumatoid & Psoriatic Arthritis
Skyemed is an ACHC-certified pharmacy that can be a strong partner in your fight against Rheumatoid & Psoriatic Arthritis. We assist you through each stage of therapy and optimize your specific drug regimen, to give you the best chance of achieving your intended treatment outcomes.
Here is just some of what we do:
- Verify and explain your insurance benefits
- Research financial assistance programs (and enroll if you qualify)
- Educate you on your disease and train you in self-care
- Provide expert side effect management consultations
- Offer on-call pharmacist services
- Same-day or overnight prescription delivery (subject to conditions)
- Remind you about refill and drug compliance policies
Financial Assistance
Managing a disease can threaten not just your physical well-being, but your financial life. Learn how we can help ease the burden.
Contact Us Today
Skyemed Pharmacy & Infusion Services
1332 North Federal Hwy
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Hours: 8:00am–6:00pm
Pharmacy Hours: 9:00am-5:30pm
Phone: 866-778-8255
Fax: 800-432-6614
Infusion Fax: 866-398-2988