Uncommon Symptoms of RA You May Not Know About

Dry Eyes

One of the uncommon symptoms of RA is dry eyes.

It can feel like you have dust or something in your eyes. The symptom of dry eyes will happen more to women than men.

One of the things that I can think of to do to help yourself is to put a humidifier in your bedroom and when you sleep at night. The humidifier will keep moisture in the air, and help your dry eyes throughout the evening.

Another thing is to buy an over-the-counter lubricating eye drop.

Now, if eye drops are not helping you, I would go to an ophthalmologist, because there might be something that he can give you prescription-wise that will assist dry eyes.

Skin Conditions and Rashes

This symptom is not very well-known, but people living with RA may experience skin conditions.

You may encounter rashes, dry hands, dry feet, and so on. I like to keep a bottle of moisturizing lotion beside my bed and put it all over my hands and feet before I go to sleep.

When I get out of the shower, I like to put a nice lotion that doesn't have any scents or perfumes in it.

Try to look for lotions or creams that have the least amount of ingredients, something more natural so that a perfume or ingredient won't make that skin extra dry, or give you more of a rash.

If those things don't help, also see your doctor that treats your RA, because they might be able to assist you with prescription medication, and they might even send you to a dermatologist.

Anemia

It's possible for those suffering from RA to experience anemia.

This type of anemia that you can get without RA. It's different medically, and the symptoms for this kind of anemia may include:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate

I don't have anemia from my RA, but I do get cold, and a lot of times, when you have anemia, you will get cold when other people don't.

The best way to keep warm and comfortable is by keeping blankets, warm socks, sweaters, and sweatpants around when you get a little chilly.

Short of Breath and Increased Heart Rate

If you recognize an increase of shortness of breath and the heart rate increasing, I would recommend seeing your doctor.

Weakness and Fatigue

Lastly, you may experience weakness and fatigue with RA.

I like to carry around a small blanket, or always carry a spare jacket or sweater with you. So keep an extra jacket or sweater in your car. That way, when you go out to eat, or you go to a mall, you can grab that jacket or sweater and put it on, and you're more comfortable.

In Conclusion...

Those are some of the uncommon symptoms of RA you may experience, and they're not as common as the most thing that happens, or the most common thing, I should say, that happens is joint pain. So if you have any of these things, try to do some of the things that I've suggested.

And also, you know, don't try to handle everything on your own.

Mention it to your doctor when you go for your exam, or if it's something like your heartbeat, you're short of breath, make sure you get in to see him as soon as you can so that he can check and make sure that there's nothing else going on. I hope that you got some useful information from this.

Having RA can be very difficult, and there are ways that you can cope.