I'm sure this question sounds silly to you...but
What is the difference between mild, moderate and severe RA?
I think we all define it differently. This is how I think of it but it is my own definitions.
mild - Some pain, no deformities, able to do most everything you did before ra, slow progression
moderate - some pain and intermittent flares with pain from hell, able to work, no deformities, controlled with meds, slow progression
severe- extreme pain more often than not, damage, med resistant, if you work it is because you have to but you shouldn't be
These definitions are what I have gleaned from my rd, doctor and what I have read. Please correct me everyone if I am way off base.
I just completed the "Who are you" post and indicated that I thought my RA was mild. By Roxy's RD, I guess I'm moderate.
I can definitely relate to the "intermittent flares with pain from hell" statement!
the doctor defined mine as severe, but from how roxy explains the definitions, i have moderate.
My doctors list mine as "Moderate/Severe" but I tend to just define it as moderate. I've lived with it for more than 12 years officially and have only minimal damage. It has slowly progressed over the years yes; but in the grand scheme of things it's been fairly slow in my opinion. Doctors swear that's all thanks to early DMARD treatment that I still continue today. I imagine that's the case.
Roxy's description seems right on target to me.
Good question and answers. I would classify mine as moderate/severe. [QUOTE=kweenb]I just completed the "Who are you" post and indicated that I thought my RA was mild. By Roxy's RD, I guess I'm moderate.
I can definitely relate to the "intermittent flares with pain from hell" statement!
[/QUOTE]
I was thinking the same exact thing.
Here's a good explanation:
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/120/main.html
This is depressing. I've been severe from the start.
Well, that's me. Go overboard on everything. I just have to compete. Sounds like a stupid idea to me. Can I go back to stage one?
Hey that is a good link! I fit the moderate category according to that article.