Having a chronic disease that impacts your mobility and compromises your everyday lifestyle can be difficult. Pain, stiffness, and fatigue are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may impact your daily activity. One qualitative study found that half of people with RA had a negative experience because of their need for a mobility aid. They also noted that limited mobility caused tension in their relationships and limited their participation in social activities.
Among GeneRAtions survey respondents, people who have had RA for more than 10 years reported that their activity was limited more than 75 percent of the time—25 percent for people who have had RA for 11-20 years and 27 percent for people who have had RA for more than 21 years. Fortunately, more aggressive treatment options may improve the debilitating signs and symptoms of RA, and some have demonstrated they may improve physical function and prevent joint damage, which can help patients living with the disease.
