There is very little information on how RA affects internal organs. What can I expect?
7/23/10 8:40pm
As is so often the case with RA, it's very hard to pin down specifics. Although the disease can affect the internal organs and cause inflammation in e.g. the heart, this is pretty rare. When I was 12 or 13, I had a massive flare that affected my heart and spleen, but until I start working for MyRACentral, I'd never met anyone else who's had the same experience and after two years of working on the site, I've only met a very small handful whose been affected in this way. I'd recommend that you ask your rheumatologist at your next appointment, as they will be able to give you much better information about this, in terms of risk factors and symptoms. However, bottom line is that based on the numbers, it's probably safe to say you can expect not to have your RA effect your internal organs.
7/23/10 8:41pm
As is so often the case with RA, it's very hard to pin down specifics. Although the disease can affect the internal organs and cause inflammation in e.g. the heart, this is pretty rare. When I was 12 or 13, I had a massive flare that affected my heart and spleen, but until I start working for MyRACentral, I'd never met anyone else who's had the same experience and after two years of working on the site, I've only met a very small handful whose been affected in this way. I'd recommend that you ask your rheumatologist at your next appointment, as they will be able to give you much better information about this, in terms of risk factors and symptoms. However, bottom line is that based on the numbers, it's probably safe to say you can expect not to have your RA effect your internal organs.
7/25/10 5:52pm
I agree with Lene, RA affecting the internal organs is rare but not unheard of. It would depend on a large number of other factors and conditions. The reason it is hard to find information on it is because when RA does affect organs and tissues there is usually some other contributing reason. For example mom and grandma had RA related liver conditions. For both of them the doctors always said RA was an issue but not the cause. But RA wasn't helping matters at all. So go figure on that one.
With todays meds and biologics, it is even more rare for RA to become so out of control that is affects the organs.
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By West Australian— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 07/23/10
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Thanks Lene,
I'm glad - its allayed my fears somewhat! I read that you are taking a bit of a break from the site, all the best and I hope things get better