Self-assessment Tools and RAFinding a good rheumatologist can be a challenge. Getting an appointment with a good rheumatologist can sometimes be even harder. Once you have an appointment with a doctor you really... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Positivity and ReinventionHealthUnion has a great podcast called Living With. It features many of the fascinating people who contribute articles and moderate our communities. Recently, I was honored to participate in “Living... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
Evusheld Feels like Winning the Immunocompromised LotteryIt feels like I recently won the lottery. No, not the lottery with money involved, but the lottery to receive a dose of Evusheld. This therapy provides me hope that... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
Preparing for Total Knee Replacement SurgeryIf you’ve been following my story, you know that I finally decided to have total knee replacement surgery after years of struggling with pain and disability. Actually, I would end... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments13 comments
When Is It Time for Knee Replacement Surgery? Part 2In the past decade, the journey with my knees has involved multiple steroid injections, two rounds of hyaluronic acid gel injections in each knee, numerous x-rays taken by different doctors... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
When Is It Time For Knee Replacement Surgery? Part 1"You’re not old enough for surgery," said my first orthopedic doctor 4 years ago, "but you will need total knee replacement at some point in the future." At that time... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments22 comments
Is My Doctor Good Enough?I’ve asked myself this question regarding several of my doctors, perhaps too many times, in recent years. As a person who lives with multiple chronic diseases, primarily rheumatoid arthritis and... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments26 comments
I Worry About My Care-Partner, My SpouseBlessed with a supportive spouse, I am fortunate to have someone who is able and willing to help me anytime I need. Rob makes a point to listen to me... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments16 comments
Monstrous Medical Misconception: You Can’t Have RA If You Can ExerciseExercise and being active are important parts of staying healthy and fighting back against the effects of aging and disease. Everybody and every body is able to exercise to some... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Springtime and Renewal During the Continued PandemicThirteen months into the COVID-19 pandemic, how are you doing? Although people are getting vaccinated at an impressive rate around the country, I’m wondering when the constant worry of exposure... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
The Power of a Few Pain PillsPain can disrupt normal life in a way that can be devastating. Pain can also just be an annoyance. Sometimes pain can make you cry and, sometimes, it can only... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
RA and Plantar Fasciitis: What Do Lacrosse Balls and Bottles of Ice Have in Common?Ever since I was in my 20s, I’ve always enjoyed a really good foot massage. Not just a light-handed rubbing of the skin, but a massage with pressure that digs... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: It's Time to Repeat Hyaluronic Acid InjectionsI remember the occasion very clearly when osteoarthritis made itself known beyond a reasonable doubt. In 2010, I decided to paint my home music studio a fun combination of light... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that affects more than joints within the body. It can affect connective tissue and internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, or... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Can a Blood Test Predict Treatment Response in RA?A recent study suggests that laboratory tests may be helpful in predicting which patients with rheumatoid arthritis will respond to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).1 Common DMARDs include medications such as... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
Scatter Brains and Organizational DisarrayNot long ago, Rob and I were sitting on our front porch listening to the birds sing and watching squirrels scurry around the yard. It was restful and we were... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
My Overwhelming Fatigue: Is Rheumatoid Arthritis to Blame?Fatigue is one of my most prevalent symptoms. It can become so overwhelming at times that making the decision to turn off the TV can be too much to handle... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments11 comments
Family Caregivers: Important Information Keepers and Potential Healthcare AgentsFamily caregivers fill important roles in assuring the health and safety of their loved ones. I was the caregiver of my mother for many years as she faced increasingly difficult... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Does Menopause Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?Aging is a natural part of life. Now that I can no longer say that I’m slowly approaching that age, I am interested in learning about what happens during the... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments14 comments
How to Balance Arthritis and CyclingFour years ago, I bought a bike. Sounds simple enough. Although I hadn’t ridden on a real bike in decades, it seemed like a fun way to be more active... By Lisa EmrichBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments