I see people as mild, moderate, or severe. Is there a diagnosing chart the arthritis association puts out, or some way to determine what your disease is? It can't be on numbers alone, right? Is it based on, hey 10 yrs later you're either twisted and still in severe pain or you aren't so it must be severe or mild? My half sis doesn't take any Ra meds. She feels a flare, pops a 5mg prednisone, and it's gone! Just like that! And her numbers were high. She has larger knuckles but no twisting. It's been 8 yrs. I'm curious. I don't know what I am. All my blood work was negative, but I was only 3 weeks into the disease. I need a retest soon. I had 5 flares from onstart, all within 4 months. one of those flares was so severe, 20 mg prednisone daily didn't pull it down to a lesser degree once. I'm curious as to my disease and what my severity is. Thx for the input!