Monica Y. Sengupta

I took many things for granted before my rheumatoid arthritis and one of them is shaving. Before my diagnosis, it was one of those mundane routines I moaned and groaned...

I’ve always considered myself lucky with my Rheumatoid Disease. My clinical symptoms don’t stop me from working, rock-climbing, and generally taking care of myself or my pets. However, recently I...

Kelly Mack recently wrote an article on her techniques to make sure prescriptions and other medical procedures run smoothly through her insurance company. I agree with her article and often...

The definition of remission is “a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease”. No symptoms? No need for meds? It sounds like something I’ll never achieve...

I speak about my seronegative Rheumatoid Disease often because it irritates me. I am a scientist so it does bother me! I strongly believe there is a reason for everything...

Oh, my lungs hurt? It’s the methotrexate. My ribs are inflamed? It’s the rheumatoid arthritis. My tongue is sore? That’s just the Sjogren’s. Your head is completely congested? That’s just...

In the last couple of months, my RA has become more symptomatic, especially in the hands. I was able to lower the Prednisone 1mg after many failed attempts the last...

I know I’ve said it before but I’m going to say it again: I LOVE THE WINTER HOLIDAYS. I especially love baking during the holidays. There’s something special about it...

We recently adopted a scary-smart dog. She picks up on the subtlest of cues and knows what’s what. She doesn’t stay distracted for long, so we bought her some puzzle...

Open eyes? Check. Stare at the ceiling for five minutes? Check. Make sure pets are still alive? Triple check. Consider everything I have to do that day? Yup. Try to...

I’ve often said being young with Rheumatoid Arthritis presents some unique challenges and deciding to show my symptoms is a regular debate. I do have a disability placard for my...

You know how sometimes someone’s stomach hurts after a meal. The more you think about it the more certain you become that it’s the cause of food poisoning, then you...

Last month my father underwent an arthroscopy, or knee cleaning. During high school, forty some years ago, he sustained a soccer injury where an opponent accidentally kicked him in the...

My mother’s death day anniversary was at the beginning of August. She passed away when I was 12 and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. But...

I used to hate going to the doctor’s. It was time ill spent and usually came with needle sticks, blood and urine. Everything I disliked. I also was a very...

“Ow, I hurt.” “WHY DIDN’T YOU ASK FOR HELP??” “...” I recently wrote an article asking why I continually push my limits. Many community members commented with their experiences with...

One of my favorite summer shows is about a concierge doctor in the Hamptons, New York. In one episode, a patient spends his entire adult life with a MS diagnosis;...

A very interesting thing happened to me a few weeks ago: I attended my 10-year high school reunion. First of all, I am not old enough for this reunion. Second...

When was the last time you pushed yourself too far and suffered the consequences of extra pain, stiffness and disability? My arms and legs screamed in pain. I felt the...

The ribs are an important part of our bodies. They protect our lungs and hearts and other organs like the spleen. They help us breathe by aiding the lungs and...