The Confusion of How and Where to Get Test ResultsI recently needed to get both a cervical MRI and knee x-rays. For better or worse, I asked for the reports so that I could have them for my records... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
RA Flare or RA NudgeI recently had a significant RA flare, which is probably not news to anyone with rheumatoid arthritis. What was new for me was that it was the first one that... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
That Pivotal Moment with RAWhen I was first diagnosed with RA, I recall my thoughts largely being centered on what aspects of my life would now be altered in a negative way and what... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Water is RA's best friendDuring the dog days of summer, we often don’t need much of a reminder to stay hydrated as thirst is a constant companion, but remembering to stay hydrated when summer... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
RA Status Quo or No?One of the perennial challenges of living with rheumatoid arthritis is the question of maintaining the current status of treatment and management choices. Is there a point at which it... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Learning lessons from the good timesEven though experiencing “good times” with RA may seem out of reach, I have found that when those good times happen, it is crucial to embrace them, take the opportunity... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Muscle Cramps and RAAlong with the pain associated with our joints that are a distinct mark of an RA flare, some also experience muscle cramps. Though not necessarily related to a flare, there... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments19 comments
Decluttering the Emotions of RAWe all know that along with the physical demands that come with a chronic disease, there are mental/emotional demands as well. I believe that there is a need to declutter... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Mobility Instability: Balance and RAThanks to the volatility of RA joints, balance issues are a sad reality of the disease. It only makes sense that if our joints are swollen, painful, and/or compromised in... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
Through the Seasons with RAHaving lived in a four-season climate throughout my life, I have come to understand how important it is to adjust your approach to the day-to-day management of RA to address... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Tales from an RA VeteranWhen I consider that I have been journeying with RA for a quarter-century, it seemed only fitting to spend some time sharing my thoughts as an “RA veteran”. One of... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
The Many Faces of RA PainThe pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is not a one-size-fits-all situation. When I reflect on it, the types of pain, the way we each experience it, the duration, etc. are all... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Comorbidity Overload with RAI actually had no idea what the word comorbidity meant until I was a few years into my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) journey. As I recall, it came up when I... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
The Mental Chaos of RAMost of us understand that the very nature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), physically speaking, is chaotic and unpredictable. I have always understood this to be true and one of the most... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
RA Acceptance vs SurrenderSome people believe that accepting and moving forward with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis may lead to surrendering to it as well. I am not one of those people. I think that... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
There Is a Season….for RA ChangesAs each season winds down, I find myself considering where I am at in my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) journey. It is a great time to take stock and contemplate what... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Dressing Do's and Don'ts with RA, Part 2So, let’s talk shoes. I truly think I have spent enough money on shoes and now possess enough shoes to open my own store at this point! For me, the key... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Dressing Do's and Don'ts with RA, Part 1I want to start by saying my tips for dressing with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are ones that work for me based on my age, my RA status, my gender, etc. ... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Having RA Does Not Mean We Are Not WholeI keenly remember a time, especially early in the course of my rheumatoid arthritis (RA), when it hit me that I was feeling less than whole as a result of... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Tips and Tools for Making RA Life EasierOver the years, I have purchased, borrowed, and/or rented a variety of tools and devices to make life with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) go a little smoother. Some have been amazingly... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments17 comments
