15 Celebrities Who Have Also Battled Rheumatoid Arthritis

Having rheumatoid arthritis may come with an aspect of loneliness.

Almost everyone feels pain at some point in their lives, but very few people feel it to the same extent or amount as those living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Unanticipated lifestyle changes

After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, lifestyle modifications are necessary. Depending on the severity of your unique case, these lifestyle modifications may range from mild to severe. Anything from eating certain foods to mild exercise can help or hurt your rheumatoid arthritis, and only your Rheumatologist can best help you through your journey.

The power of support

Joining a support group is helpful in terms of any emotional issues that may arise from diagnosis, treatment, and anywhere in between. Anyone can feel more comfortable when they have someone to turn to in times of need, and this is what makes support groups invaluable. Surrounding yourself with people who care will undoubtedly boost your spirits.

In terms of treatment, it’s worth speaking with your healthcare team about any available clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical trials are what help to push new treatments along, making appropriate care accessible to those who need it most.

Staying mentally healthy to be your best self

Living with RA can sometimes be indescribable. Saying “I am in pain” doesn’t even begin to cover it. If you are living with rheumatoid arthritis, it’s essential to make sure all other areas of your life are in check. According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network, one-third of people living with at least one chronic illness also suffer from depression. To overcome these negative feelings, support is necessary—a combination of self-support and love from others. Speak with your doctor about your mental health while living with rheumatoid arthritis. He or she can refer you to someone who understands and can help.

You are not alone. There are about twenty-five million other people with rheumatoid arthritis, and it affects everyone from the least of these to household names. Rheumatoid arthritis certainly does not discriminate.

Of course, we do not have a database of every single person with rheumatoid arthritis, so we’d like to share with you a selection of celebrities and other famous individuals with the condition.

Some of these stories are tragic, and others inspiring. The important thing is that these people were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and went on to fight it, sometimes decades after the fact, to contribute with their lives to further awareness.

If you do feel alone with your disease, search out for a rheumatoid arthritis support group. Resources are available online, and chances are your local hospitals can point you in similar directions as well.

Today, there is a growing number of opportunities and approaches available for rheumatoid arthritis treatment, and research is being carried out daily to further understand the complexities of this condition. Revolutionary treatments are on the horizon.

As you continue reading about these celebrities who have lived with rheumatoid arthritis, think about how much treatment has advanced since many of these people have been alive.

Photo credit: lucille ball by elena-lu, IMG-9013 by jeaneeem, Kristy McPherson by Keith Allison