Living

Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD) are called “invisible disabilities” because most people who have them do not have highly visible signs of the disease. Some people with advanced...

“Doctor.  Doctor.  Doctor.  Doctor.”  Anyone who has tried to get anything done after years of RA (or any other autoimmune illness) knows the doctor shuffle.  Just like the video, many...

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...

It would not be an exaggeration to say that my dental woes are on par with my RA issues. Now, how much one impacts the other is an age-old question. Honestly, I...

When people meet me, they quickly learn these basic facts.  1. I am married to Sheryl, 2. We have two sons who I adore, 3. We have three grandchildren that...

For those who have only been recently diagnosed with RA, the treatment options can be overwhelming.  There are Biologics, DMARDs, NSAIDs, steroids, and snozzwangers.  Not the last one.  They expect...

The following is Part 2 of "A (Travel) Dream Deferred" In a previous article I wrote about how I fell in love with Europe and international travel and vowed to...

My husband, Richard, and I had just returned home after a day-long car trip and almost a week out of town when I blithely suggested we go to the pool...

When you live with rheumatoid arthritis, in many ways your life shrinks. Opportunities come off the table, hobbies take a back seat, social time turns into nap time, and dreams...

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...

One of the biggest issues I hear from people who have RA is that others don’t seem to understand the disease.  It goes without saying that there isn’t much out...

Isn’t it true that sometimes a person doing the right thing can really turn your day around? I certainly have felt this way! This is something that I call “everyday...

The past few months have been a rough go. Living with rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD) always includes uncertainty. This is an unpredictable disease, and I can never be sure how...

About fifteen years ago I was really struggling with my JRA. I had run out of options medication-wise and my inflammation rates were breaking records at my rheumatologist’s office. I...

In this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing physical illness and its side effects. Phrases in bold are the words of our community members across various conditions...

I am recently retired from a full-time career I had for nearly 24 years.  Why does that matter now and how does it relate to RA?  Well, first of all...

With the holiday season coming up, and shopping-a-plenty on everyone’s list, I think it’s a perfect time to revisit one of the most controversial 135 square feet in all of...

"Do you endure pain in public because you worry that people might think you complain too much?" This was a question that was asked of people with RA by Creaky...

Ever meet someone that you know, who looks at you once, twice then three times before they say hello?  I had that situation at ACR in October.  I have known...

I think that most people dislike the feeling of pity yet instinctively respond to compassion.  Why is that?  They both come from a place of expressing sorrow for another human...