Rheumatoid Arthritis Heroes EverywhereLast year for Christmas, my best friend gave me a book of inspirational quotes about gratitude. I keep it on my coffee table, and every few days I open it... By Kathryn Elton, OTR3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Staying Connected to Kids When You Can't See Them In PersonNot everyone in the RheumatoidArthritis.net community has children of their own at home, but I know there are many who have grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or who act as godparents... By Mariah Z. Leach5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
A Moment of Strength in All This UncertaintyThe world has turned upside down around us. It’s like we’re actually living in one of those low budget, high-intensity apocalyptic movies. Now, I honestly never anticipated writing about the... By Monica Y. Sengupta3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments16 comments
No, There Isn't a Reason for Me to Have RAEverything in life happens for a reason. That’s what “they” tell us anyway. In the context of RA, I don’t believe that, at least not anymore, because no specific reason... By David Advent2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Testing PainSo, one thing I did not consider about the journey with RA, was the pain of the various tests we are subjected to. We all know about the pain of the... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Tired and WearyExhausted, fatigued, wrung-out, worn-out, emotionally exhausted, physically exhausted, mentally exhausted, maybe spiritually exhausted also. Do any of these apply to you? I know the answer, but if you want to... By Mary Sophia Hawks2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments51 comments
Small Changes Can Make Big Differences (Part 1)I am a firm believer that making some small but meaningful changes in our daily lives can often have significant impacts over the course of our lives, well into the... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Fun with WordsOne of the ways I cope with rheumatoid arthritis is by having fun with words. Creative naming can go a long way to defanging something scary or unpleasant. Sometimes it... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Adventures in Bacterial SinusitisIt all started with a cold. It seemed to last forever. I could not shake it off. The stuffed nose, the constant pressure in the front of my face. Some... By Michael Booth3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Is It Spring Yet?It’s that time of year. We wonder if spring is ever coming. Spring comes in fits and starts in the Southeast. We get a few days of high 60 degrees... By Mary Sophia Hawks2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Our Culture Makes No Space for PainI am grieving the recent death of my sister, and have been initiated to a world of emotional pain I’d previously only seen from a distance. Walking with this level... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments26 comments
A Change in Routine: UpdateA little while ago I wrote about changing my daily routine. I had a full topic for an article because I had to consider my condition. An able-bodied person would... By Monica Y. Sengupta3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Don't Leave Me Hanging on the TelephoneEver since I was first diagnosed with RA 22 years ago, I've had problems--big and small--regarding communication with my healthcare providers. Or maybe a lack of communication is a more... By Angela Lundberg4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Importance of Seeing SpecialistsThe expertise and skills of medical specialists are crucial for managing rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions. A perfect example is that when I was diagnosed as a child, it wasn’t... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Real Talk About Real Life with Rheumatoid ArthritisLiving with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging. Debilitating fatigue. Swollen, painful joints. Reduced mobility. It can sometimes seem as though rheumatoid arthritis is controlling your life. And we are here... By Editorial Team 1 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Did I Have Enough Surgery?Most people don’t worry about having enough surgeries. But I have reached the point of four decades of accumulative, aggressive joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis and I wonder: “Did I... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments10 comments
20 for 2020I'm having a hard time believing that it's now the year 2020, despite what the calendar says. I can still clearly remember gathering with my family (Mom, Dad, sister, aunts... By Angela Lundberg3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
My Experience With RA Chest Pain (Costochondritis)All morning sitting in my chair at my desk I felt a creeping but clear pressure growing in my chest. I thought, "Perhaps I worked out too hard this morning,"... By Michael Booth4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments58 comments
Getting Through the DarknessIn this particular case, when I reference darkness, I am talking about light....glorious light. It really fascinates me how different the daylight hours are depending on where you live. I knew this... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
2020 ResolutionsNew year, new me, new decade…I’m getting it done. Last decade was rough. It was my first ten years of my diagnosis and I fought myself every step of the... By Monica Y. Sengupta3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments