Night ExercisesI still remember the good old days when I could sleep anywhere, any time, and extremely deeply. In a previous article, I shared the story about the time my college...reactions6comments
Do I Really Need Surgery?Do I really need surgery? Boy, this is a question most, if not all, of us will face at some point over the course of our journey with rheumatoid arthritis...reactions5comments
The Strobe Light of Chronic Illness - How Others See Only Small SnapshotsI was watching a cop show the other day and one of those obligatory, “drug addled-club goers rave” scenes came on. You know, the one that shows what Hollywood thinks...reactions7comments
"But You Don't Look Sick"The thing about living with a sometimes-invisible disease is that it sort of feels like it's you against the world. You're living with this secret, this shadow, this double-life —...reactions1comment
A Little Gratitude in Uncertain TimesRecently, I wrote an article to empower us ‘Spoonies’ to head into this quarantine with confidence and strength. Now, I am going to talk about all the things I am...reactionscomments
When Lupus Limits Physical AffectionDo you know what my husband needs? A hug. A reassuring hand on his arm. A gentle back rub. All simple physical gestures, and all too frequently beyond my ability...reactions2comments
Finding a Good RheumatologistPeople who have chronic health conditions like ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or other similar diseases might be advised by their regular doctor or primary care physician to see a specialist known...reactionscomments
Post-Activity Stiffness and Psoriatic ArthritisPlease do not take this as the standard stiffness all of us with psoriatic arthritis usually experience first thing in the mornings. I want to talk more about being active...reactionscomments
Ask The Advocate: How PsA Impacts Daily LifePsoriatic arthritis can change how you live your life every single day. This condition is the center of the wheel that outreaches to all different aspects of life: physical and...reactionscomments
The Avoidable Unavoidable Ugliness of Pity & Chronic IllnessPity. Ugh, I know right? It’s awful, and no one wants to be pitied, or pitiable, but even just now when I said the word, you got that feeling, didn’t...reactions5comments
Long Nights and Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Problem of Chronic Insomnia “Have you stopped drinking coffee? You need to exercise every day and that will help you sleep.” It had been awhile since I’d slept a full night and I figured...reactions6comments
A Little Vitamin D on My RAnniversaryTime for celebration. It’s my 13th RAnniversary!! My disease is a teenager now. However, it’s likely older than that. Like a stray cat, we’re not exactly sure how old my...reactions6comments
Inject Me TenderlyStorytime: I have osteoarthritis. The end. Just kidding! I have relatively severe osteoarthritis and take medications to combat further deterioration. I started with a couple of different pills but...reactions38comments
Silver Linings & Sour Dairy - Benefits of Chronic IllnessThis whole corona pandemic has gotten me thinking about the drawbacks of RA, sure. But really, it has me thinking about the benefits – that elusive silver lining that sometimes...reactions2comments
On Shaky Grounds These DaysThroughout my 25 years with RA, I have had periods of time where I feel a personal “earthquake” of sorts. Characterized by a sense of emotional and mental unsteadiness, it...reactions1comment
The (Virtual) Doctor Is In! Sharing Telehealth ExperiencesAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues, telehealth is being used by more and more people. Telehealth is also sometimes called telemedicine or virtual care. Whether you have been using telehealth for...reactionscomments
Social Distancing Spurs Telehealth SurgeThe technology needed for virtual healthcare has been around for decades. But virtual care has not been widely used in the United States until recently. The recent public health emergency...reactionscomments
Self-care during COVID-19Despite the challenges COVID-19 presents us with, and they are daunting and life-threatening, as survivors of an autoimmune disease we are positioned to handle it successfully. I know that may sound...reactionscomments
Dealing with Seasonal Allergies while Having RAOur allergy season in Florida started early—maybe a month ago. And it’s been the worst I’ve experienced so far. Coughing, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, all with mountains of yellow...reactionscomments
At-Home Devices That Can Monitor Your HealthAt-home monitoring can help you better manage chronic health conditions. It can also aid in your recovery after medical procedures. Using this technology, you can regularly record your health data...reactionscomments
