mild, moderate and severe? | Arthritis Information

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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!

kweenb38890.3559375My doctor says I have moderate RA, and it pretty much fits your definition, Roxy. There are days when I can do most of what I used to, and days when I can't do much of anything, with a lot of days in between.  I should count my blessings, mine is mild/moderate leaning towards moderate more than mild.  

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.
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