The PTSD of RASo, I’m just making my bed, a small chore I do every single morning without much thought. Neatening my bedroom for the...reactions17comments
Support in Unlikely PlacesA very interesting thing happened to me a few weeks ago: I attended my 10-year high school reunion. First of all, I...reactions4comments
Does it Hurt? And Other Questions that are Really Hard to Answer I recently was talking to a good friend of mine who lives with ulcerative colitis, and the conversation turned toward how hard...reactions5comments
Making Travel ChoicesMy husband and I really enjoy travel. We visit family, friends, and take trips to different places to see the sights, enjoy...reactions2comments
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
Pain and Sleep - a Two-Way StreetBelow is a screenshot from my phone. It shows a recent night of sleep tracking from my Fitbit. The red parts are...reactions11comments
Time for a ChangeWe have all heard about how certain events or changes in our lives can produce stress. Marriage, divorce, the death of a...reactions4comments
Acceptance May Mean Saying "No"It was a dream job. One of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to do meaningful work you enjoy with people you respect at a...reactions5comments
Just Add Exercise?I recently found myself suddenly in the middle of a heated debate about opioids and pain treatment via an E-mail thread, surprisingly...reactions10comments
Why Do I Keep Doing That??When was the last time you pushed yourself too far and suffered the consequences of extra pain, stiffness and disability? My arms...reactions32comments
Three Things I've Learned About Living Well With RAMarc Ian Barasch is someone I discovered about ten years ago when I came across his books, The Healing Path, A Soul...reactions2comments
Fighting with the MirrorSometimes I get angry with the mirror. I feel it doesn’t reflect how I am feeling—specifically, how I am feeling on a...reactions10comments
Caged to the Pain: A Story About My RibsThe ribs are an important part of our bodies. They protect our lungs and hearts and other organs like the spleen. They...reactions24comments
The Frustrations of Driving with RABetween driving to doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions, and getting to therapy, you have plenty of places to go, in addition to...reactions12comments
Lessons from My FatherLately, I’ve been thinking about how what I have learned from my father has helped me to live with rheumatoid arthritis. Actually...reactions9comments
What is WeaknessIs weakness a state of mind? A feeling? Is it physical or mental? Can I control it? The definition of "weakness" is...reactions3comments
A New MedicationLast December, I made the switch from taking methotrexate and a biologic injection to a new medication: Xeljanz. Methotrexate had worked well...reactions4comments
The Reality of CareUntil the recent passing of our beloved dog, Leah, I had not really considered the parallels between her situation and mine, in...reactions6comments
Don't Look BackAs I have moved through the years of my life I found myself, at times, looking back. I like to think this...reactions14comments
The Importance of Wearing SunscreenI grew up a tomboy. I never cared too much for makeup. I only wore sunscreen during the summer or long periods...reactions7comments
