Lisa Emrich

Thirteen 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...

Pain 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...

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...

I 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...

Rheumatoid 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...

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...

Not 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...

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...

Family 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...

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...

Four 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...

My rheumatoid arthritis is behaving itself for the most part lately, but I have noticed a few things popping up in recent weeks. During a routine follow-up appointment with my...

My diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was not immediate upon reporting vague symptoms to my primary care doctor as early as 2004. The main reason is that my laboratory results did...

Rheumatoid arthritis has become such an integrated part of my life that it is hard to believe it’s been 13.5 years since I was diagnosed. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few...

About three years ago, I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s syndrome as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. My hands can get really cold and alternate between turning whitish to purplish. My feet...

This morning as I was slowly rotating my wrists, gently flexing and extending my fingers, bending my elbows — basically waking up my hands and arms to get ready to...

Rituxan is my friend. I look forward to my trips to the local hospital infusion center to receive my RA treatment of choice and spend some quality time together. I’m...

By now, I would imagine that the majority of people living with chronic illness have had at least one telehealth or virtual visit with a physician or other healthcare provider...

With great interest, I have read several accounts of persons living with chronic illnesses report on their telehealth appointments. Many of these appointments have been for routine follow-ups related to...

Camaraderie is very important in life. Growing up we need friends. As adults, it really helps to have people we can depend upon. I hope that this community provides the...