Questions for the DoctorLiving with a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis requires my active engagement in managing my health. I have learned that being knowledgeable and inquisitive about my care and maintaining my... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
One Is the Loneliest NumberDespite the fact that I, and many of us, have terrific support, there is still a strong sense of loneliness that accompanies RA. At first glance, one may think that... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
I'm Losing My GripI am losing my grip. I don’t mean my grip on reality (although that’s a possibility). I mean the physical grip in my hands. When I was diagnosed, there was... By Carla Kienast2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Pain Management: What Works?Like many of you out there, I have some degree of pain every single day. The last time I had a completely pain-free day was sometime in early 1997, I'd... By Angela Lundberg3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
I Am So Tired of FatigueOf all the things about rheumatoid arthritis I hate (and there are too many to list here), fatigue has to be one of the worst. RA-related fatigue is not being... By Carla Kienast3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments32 comments
Dry as a DesertMany of us with RA have other challenges to contend with that are not always so overtly related to the disease. One of those is dryness. I mean dryness of every... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
If it were easy, it would already be doneIs our mind separate from our body? Do we have mental control over the prognosis of disease? Have you ever been told that rheumatoid arthritis is all in your head? If... By Michael Booth3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Putting the “Me” in “Time”As a working mother of two young children, I constantly feel like there’s never enough time to accomplish all my tasks. There are always dishes to wash, baskets of laundry... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Fatherhood, Philosophy, Uncertainty, and Rheumatoid Arthritis"When we are self-indulgent and uncritical, when we confuse hopes and facts, we slide into pseudoscience and superstition.” - Carl Sagan We had to speak loudly to be heard above... By Michael Booth6 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
If the shoe fitsI recently had a discussion with my rheumatologist about footwear and RA. For most of us with RA, foot pain and general discomfort are part and parcel of the RA... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Poison Ivy and the Immune ResponseA few weeks ago I felt incredibly lucky to be doing yard work. I usually leave outdoor chores to my husband, as I have rheumatoid arthritis. This means there are... By Tamara Haag4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments11 comments
30 Days with RA!Exciting news! I finally got the ball rolling with a project idea I've had quietly brewing in my head for several months. What is this mysterious project? Well, since I... By Angela Lundberg5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Young Warrior Meets the Great Adalimumab: A Dark ComedyThe beast of polyurethane and springs weighed me down, my spine sinking, my joints aching, my mind shouting in a clamor, "don't let this fluffy piece of furniture get the... By Michael Booth11 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Babywearing for Parents with RAThere are many benefits to babywearing – from increased bonding, to reduced crying, and the ability to get something done! But for parents living with rheumatoid arthritis, there may be... By Mariah Z. Leach4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
No Catastrophes HereI’m minding my own business. Given that I live with rheumatoid disease, things are going pretty well this morning: I’m up, moving around with only minor stiffness or pain, I’ve... By Wren3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Mamas Facing Forward – A Community to Help Mamas Facing Chronic Illnesses Move ForwardI’m only four years into my experience as a mom, but even in that short amount of time I can make this statement with complete authority: being a mom is... By Mariah Z. Leach3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Pregnancy and Parenting with Arthritis Study by the Canadian Arthritis Patient AllianceSince being diagnosed with RA, the biggest challenges I have personally faced have all been related to pregnancy and parenting. It was back in 2011, before I was even married... By Mariah Z. Leach2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Mindfulness: Addressing Despair Through CBT Part 4Mindfulness in psychotherapy has made a rapid rise over the last few years, and has now entered a phase of popular attention. As an act of meditation and awareness, Mindfulness... By Michael Booth4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Stolen Car, Stolen LifeMay 18, 2016 was not a good day. Three bad things happened on this date: my car was stolen, all of my camera equipment was stolen (it was hidden in... By Angela Lundberg3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
No Pain, No Gain?We’ve all heard the sayings designed to motivate people to physical achievements: “No pain, no gain.” “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” While... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments