My RA glossary

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) : A condition where your immune system is overactive and attacks your joints as if they were disease

Chronic Illness : A long-term health issue with no cure

Rheumatology: A branch of medicine that looks at diseases that affect the joints, muscles and bones (other conditions you might be familiar with: Lupus, ALL the other types of Arthritis...)

Remission : A period of disease where your condition is being well managed and you experience few symptoms (the goal of most treatment, as RA currently has no cure)

Flare: A period of disease where symptoms are more unmanageable/noticeable

Methotrexate (meth): An immunosuppressant, also used in chemo-therapy but RA patients are on a lower dose. Suppresses your immune system to control the RA, but means you get ill more frequently

Folic acid: A supplement that reduces the side-effects of Meth such as hair loss and feeling sick. Don't tell anyone you're on this without context as they'll assume you're pregnant.

Sulfasalazine: Disease monitoring anti-rheumatic medication (DMARD)

Hydroxychloroquine: another DMARD. In my opinion, the devil incarnate 

Steroids: NOT the gym-lad sort... Usually only used in short periods to relieve the symptoms of a BAD flare. The fairy dust of RA treatment.

RA Factor: Proteins found in the blood, produced by your immune system. High levels can signify the presence of an autoimmune disease.