9.5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Fingers Betrayed Me
🖐️ 9.5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Fingers Betrayed Me
Yes, I'm a doctor. Yes, I have rheumatoid arthritis. No, I didn’t see it coming.
Hi friend. 👋 I'm not just a rheumatologist—I’m also a card-carrying member of the joint rebellion club (aka RA patients). I was diagnosed at age 32, and this is the honest, hilarious, painful, and kind of empowering truth of what I’ve learned so far.
1️⃣ Autoimmune Means “Your Body’s Playing You”
Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t from wear and tear—nope. It’s your immune system deciding, “Hmm, what if I attack your joints today?”
2️⃣ How Common Is RA? (Spoiler: More Than You Think)
| Fact | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| RA patients in Korea | 300,000+ |
| Gender split | 4 women : 1 man |
| Typical age of diagnosis | 30–50 years |
| First target zones | Fingers, wrists, toes |
| Chance of joint damage in 1 year (no treatment) | Over 60% |
3️⃣ My First Clue? When Holding a Coffee Cup Was a Challenge
- Morning stiffness—AKA “Why won’t my hands move?”
- Swollen wrists and toes (like tiny water balloons)
- Burning, symmetrical pain—left and right like synchronized swimmers
- Low-grade fevers, random night sweats
- General vibe: totally drained 🪫
4️⃣ The “I Should’ve Gone Sooner” Club
I once treated a 41-year-old woman who thought she had wrist tendonitis. Two years later? Wrist deformity. She joined the regret club.
| Diagnosis Timing | Joint Status (5 Years Later) |
|---|---|
| Early | No deformity, active lifestyle |
| Late | Curved fingers, chronic pain |
5️⃣ Is It Forever? Yes. But There’s a Cheat Code
Think “tactical cohabitation,” not war. You can live with it, if you plan smart.
💊 My Treatment Plan
- Weekly Methotrexate + monthly blood tests
- Biologics (when insurance and wallet allow)
- Pain meds for flair-ups only
- Tracking symptoms in a little app (yes, I’m that person now)
🧘♂️ My Daily Ritual
- Warm water stretches in the morning
- 10 minutes of finger stretches daily (Netflix helps)
- Less coffee, more water (ugh, but it works)
6️⃣ 5 Sneaky RA Worseners You Should Ditch
| Villain | Why It Sucks |
|---|---|
| Stress | It turns your immune system into a drama queen |
| Smoking/Drinking | Makes inflammation worse and meds less effective |
| Being a couch potato | Stiffness, weakness, and sad joints |
| Cold, damp weather | Instant joint regrets |
| Overusing your hands | Leads to flare-ups and more swelling |
7️⃣ Eat Like You Love Your Joints
| Eat This | Not That |
|---|---|
| Salmon, mackerel, sardines | Fried anything, margarine |
| Ginger, turmeric, blueberries | Chips, soda, excessive salt |
| Avocado, tofu, broccoli | Sugary pastries, caffeine overload |
8️⃣ Progress Is Possible (Even If You Feel Like a Rusty Robot)
| 3 Years Ago | Today |
|---|---|
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