What's in a Name? The Consequences of Labeling RA as "Arthritis"

Rheumatoid Arthritis is not what the rest of society considers “Arthritis.” I put this word in quotation marks because I find that nearly all of the people I interact with associate arthritis with Osteoarthritis— a condition that occurs with wear and tear of the joints with age. Yes, this is the elderly arthritis the commercials and brochures advertise, the kind your elderly relatives likely have some form, but no, this is not an autoimmune disease.


So when you tell someone you have “Arthritis” when you really have some form of Autoimmune Arthritis, you are not doing the disease or those suffering justice. There are so many people, so many children, with autoimmune arthritis who are desperate for better treatments and a cure, but may not live to see one because our society does not realize the epidemic of autoimmune arthritis. You don’t promote the necessary awareness or justification autoimmune arthritis so desperately needs, and so you do every autoimmune arthritis sufferer a disservice. You do a disservice and injustice to all of the Still’s Disease and AA (autoimmune arthritis) sufferers that have died as a result of their disease (yes, you can die from these disease should you have organ involvement or compression of certain vertebrae).


Please, politely correct people when they do not correctly name your disease. Politely correct people who claim that their Osteoarthritis is just like yours. Not to prove them wrong, not to compare who suffers more, but to separate the two very different conditions from each other and educate our society. We’ll never reach a cure if we don’t make it know that we need one.

What’s in a name? Power. The power to create change, end suffering, and be a patient advocate. Whether you know someone suffering or you are afflicted by the disease, never forget to be a patient advocate.

Please Help Spread the Word Worldwide About RA/Rheumatoid Arthritis!
Be an Ambassador for RA Awareness: Please help by clicking on and sharing this simple campaign with links to this page via your blog or website, Facebook, Twitter or email.

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Weekly Link Roundup 08/14/2011

 

An Endometriosis/Pelvic Pain-related roundup this week!

1. Uncommon Manifestations: Sciatic and Thoracic Endometriosis— an article on Endosupp about the lack of awareness of these rare endo forms, their history, treatment, and clinical signs and symptoms. If you have endometriosis in your family, suspect you have endometriosis, or have a doctor who refuses to listen to specific symptoms pointing to SE or TE, please please please seek out a second opinion. As unfortunate as it may be, sometimes the physician must be educated as well. Doctors can learn a lot from an informed patient. Be your own advocate.
2. Endometriosis Support Forum on HysterSisters—HysterSisters is a site dedicated to women suffering from gynecological conditions and recovering from surgery, specifically hysterectomies. This Endometriosis Support forum includes over 101 pages of threads
3. EndoCenter— Endocenter is an organization that “addresses the ever-growing need for Endometriosis research, education, awareness and support on a global basis.” A great resource and database for latest endo news. Endocenter lists multiple contacts and websites for both online and in-person support groups, as well as volunteer and awareness opportunities. You can also request EC materials from the organization as well. Better yet, their headquarters is here in south FL :) 
4. TalkAboutEndo— A tumblr very similar in concept to Chronic Curve, only dedicated specifically to Endometriosis awareness. Straight, simple, and to the point— Talk About Endo provides endo facts, news, research, an honest place to discuss this painful disease, and most importantly, hope.

A question for my followers: Do any of you know of any resources that discuss and provide support to women trying to maintain intimacy in a relationship while suffering from pelvic pain? A painful sex support network, if you will. If anyone knows of any valuable resources, please send them to me— thanks!


Blog of the Week: Serif & Sans— Run by the lovely Miss Stephanie Sharp, an aspiring journalist with strong opinions and a unique perspective on contemporary issues. Her writing is both tasteful and profound with a unique eloquence in her words, touching on everything from Disney princesses to politics. Miss Sharp’s blog is a must-read.