Everybody's different when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over the long run, your symptoms may not be the same as a friend or neighbor who also has the disease. Just how you'll feel depends on a lot things, such as:
Although every situation is different, there are a few common patterns in the way RA plays out over the years, including:
- How advanced your RA was when you learned you had it
- Your age when you were diagnosed
- How "active" your disease is
- Long remissions
- Symptoms that come and go