The Perpetual HangoverI am not a big drinker; I never have been. I drink socially on occasion, but I never felt the appeal to...reactions38comments
RA or Other? Distinguishing Symptoms and Self-AdvocatingI live with several comorbid conditions along with rheumatoid arthritis. Some of them have distinct symptoms, but many of them happen to...reactions54comments
Rheumatoid Arthritis and ShameShame. It goes hand-in-hand with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic illness, and disability. Every day, we get one thousand little subconscious hints that we...reactions27comments
4 Treatment Hurdles and How to Overcome ThemTreating our rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can come in many forms. Some of us choose to manage it with traditional pharmaceutical medications, while...reactionscomments
A Weighted Blanket is an RA Must-HaveI have a dear friend whose love language translates to mysterious Amazon packages showing up at my doorstep. Sometimes the items are...reactions17comments
Preparing For & Attending An Infusion AppointmentAs an autoimmune disease patient living with Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, I have a long standing relationship with infusions. From inpatient...reactions23comments
Why I Look Forward to Infusion DayI recently had an infusion, something that happens 4 times a year for me. As I was getting settled in my chair...reactions21comments
My Journey With Community Acupuncture and RASince my diagnosis over 19 years ago, I have implemented a holistic approach in treating my rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I use of combination...reactions23comments
Stopping and Starting HumiraI recently went through a painful experience. I woke up one morning in incredible pain; my neck was almost locked up, I...reactions18comments
Meeting My New RheumatologistIn 2021, my rheumatologist, Dr. N, told me he was about to retire. Oh, I knew it was coming, but it was...reactions13comments
Doctors Aren't Always Right and How To Say "No"Let me ask you this question. Do you know someone who is perfect? I mean, absolutely perfect; Never gives a wrong answer...reactions15comments
Summer SwellingIt's July, and July in Minnesota (usually) means hot, muggy, humid, tropical, oppressive, and miserable weather. The miserable part is my own...reactions37comments
Joint Stiffness Not RequiredI remember the first time I saw a rheumatologist, he asked me a simple question: Do you experience any stiffness? Promptly, I...reactions17comments
The Day My Meds Didn’t WorkMy biologic, Orencia, hasn’t been working at full capacity for many months now. I know this because, at the beginning, I could...reactions10comments
Self-Care Isn’t Easy With Rheumatoid ArthritisWhenever I play the "if I had a million dollars" game in my head, I always have one thing at the top...reactions5comments
Hello, Representative. Does My Insurance Cover Sex Therapy?As I explained in a previous post, about a year ago my sex life was really suffering – partly as the result...reactions3comments
Christmas Is Not Always Full of Happy MemoriesFrom the time I was 8 years old, my Christmas memories were of my mother's constant fight to live. My mother suffered...reactions13comments
Hair (Not the Musical)I was recently at a meeting that included a number of other RA patient advocates. Over lunch, conversation turned (not unexpectedly) to...reactions8comments
Plagued by InflammationIn recent months, I’ve been struggling with an inflammation of the eyelids called blepharitis. Warning: this is gross! I wake up with...reactions11comments
The Bursitis BurnThe bursitis in both of my hips has been flaring up again lately and I'm not happy about it--especially when I try...reactions54comments
