Helping all Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and JIA sufferers, and their carers, improve the quality of their lives through a better understanding of how to manage their condition.
We're here to help
Welcome to the Dragon Claw website where you’ll find a wealth of information and support for those affected by Rheumatoid Disease, Lupus and JIA. Dragon Claw exists to help you better manage your health and get the support you need to live to the fullest.
We strongly believe in an integrated and holistic approach to managing these diseases so we have brought together practical information, personal stories, dietary advice and hints and tips to help you when you are thinking about how to manage your condition and lifestyle.
Just browse through the ‘Here to Help' section to discover the sort of information that's available.
Listen to Susan’s story about her experience with Rheumatoid Arthritis and why you should become a member of Dragon Claw.
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Become a Member todayThe site you are currently looking at is the public site but if you register as a member you’ll have access to even more invaluable resources that include Video LibraryOver 60 short videos across a whole range of topics including exercise advice, interviews with sufferers and diet and nutrition information Members ForumWhere you’ll be able to discuss and learn more about your disease with other sufferers and carers. Over 30 topics have been covered already Literature CentralPacked with the latest research and information.
To find out more about what is available as a member of Dragon Claw simply click here to take a tour of the Members site.
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or Watch our Welcome Video
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Crippling RA is rampant amongst First AustraliansOn a recent visit to remote indigenous communities Dragon Claw saw that there was an urgent need to help local first Australian suffers of these diseases as many did not fully appreciate the importance of taking their medication on a regular basis. Dragon Claw was determined to address this issue and decided to launch the world’s first educational pilot program to remote first nations peoples anywhere in the world specifically on RA.
RA and Lupus Amongst Australian Indigenous Populations |
Getting enough sleep is not a luxury, it is essential
What is sleep?
The duration and quality of sleep is now considered by many to be the most important lifestyle behaviour that determines health and vitality. Sleep is a vital function. Getting enough quality sleep at the right time is protective for physical and mental health and impacts every aspect of living. A short sleep pattern will dramatically and quickly impair health and lifespan. Compared to 50 years ago children are getting 2 hours less sleep per night.
Co-Morbidities
Comments from members who deal everyday with RA or lupus. Theses and much more can be found in the Forum, available to registered members.
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Joints
Has anyone found that RA speeds up the decay in joints already damaged by injury or osteoarthritis? I have osteo in my knee and this seems to be getting worst at a rapid rate. I thought that if you were taking biologics the joint impact of RA was supposed to be almost zero. Any and all comments welcome. I am also interested in how we manage our RA medications leading in to and
...Member Suggestions for Managing Wellness
We all have observable disease cycles which, once detailed, may help manage the condition. The following are suggestions:
The medications you take introduce weekly or monthly variations in energy, wellness and fatigue levels. Changing drug administration over a twenty-four hour period can iron out the ups and downs. For example, splitting the daily dose of Prednisolone between morning and evening instead of loading it all in at the one time. Over time the typical major cycles are:
a. Crisis stage where you are
Does emotional health impact pain in rheumatoid arthritis?
Quoted from Medivizor
In a nutshell
This study investigated if emotional health affects pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They found that emotional health, along with physical state can have an effect on pain in RA.
Some background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition. It leads to painful swelling and inflammation in the joints. As RA progresses, tissue in the joints will get damaged. This leads to persistent pain.
...NEWS
JOIN and get access to the Video Library and Literature Central which more than doubles the size of the public website. In addition, you will get access to a members only Forum where you can exchange your thoughts and experiences with other members. Remember to update your web browser with our new address: www.dragonclaw.net
General Arthritis
Nearly 66% of arthritis patients say they take fewer holidays because of their disease. Traveling can be a lot harder when you have chronic pain, fatigue, and a truckload of
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