Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

I was diagnosed with RA in December and picked this book up soon after. It gives lots of information about the course of the disease, medications, exercises and diet. I've loaned it to family members and reference it whenever I have a question about what my body is doing. The only drawback is that medications are developing at such a fast rate, that the book is already a bit outdated after only 3 years. However, it is still a great starting point.

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis by Tammi L. Shlotzhauer (Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Practicing Rheumatologist at Rheumatology Associates of Rochester) and James L. McGuire (Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts) is a large print compendium of the latest information on Rheumatoid Arthritis concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and daily life (from special diets to possible alternative therapies and more) with this troublesome and painful disease. Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis informatively presents its facts in terms and text ideal for the non-specialist general reader, yet without glossing over specific issues, problems, medicines, or other challenges facing rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Simply put -- this is a work of superb medical scholarship and Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis should be on the shelves and available to the patrons of every community library system in this country.

This book gives a lot of layman explanations to medical technical jargon that the doctors throw at new patients. At times the reading was a bit dry, but this book serves as a daily reference to me with the many challenges I face as a newly diagnosed RA patient.

This book covers all aspects of this disease and is written by a practicing Rheumatologist. RA is considered one of the "inflammatory" forms of arthritis and is now generally considered an autoimmune disease. Topics covered in depth include what joints are commonly affected, other organs that may also be involved and some of the other complications that may be experienced. The testing commonly performed by Physicians is discussed at length and explained in lay terms. The general progression of the disease differs in different individuals and this is discussed as well. The treatments such as medications, therapy, surgery are discussed individually and in depth in lay terms. Exercise is also covered. Some other aspects that are discussed are emotional issues and disability. This book actually presents a solid in depth knowledge of the diease and contains a lot of information that many family practioners and generalist may not be aware of as they are not specialists in this disease process. This book should be read and owned by anyone with this disease or a loved one with this disease. All of the information is presented in lay terms that are easy to understand. There are numerous illustrations as well.

A very helpful, well-written guide that includes a detailed description of the disease, treatments, and coping strategies for everyday life, as well as an extensive glossary and bibliography.