Pain, RebornI woke up the morning of my latest rheumatology appointment with tender, achy hands and feet. Out of sorts and frustrated, I gimped to the bathroom to take my morning... By Wren3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
The Waiting GameLiving with rheumatoid arthritis often means spending a lot of time waiting. This can begin even before diagnosis, as there are frequently long waiting periods for new patient appointments with... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Shingles and Rheumatoid DiseaseEditor's note: Since the publication of this article in 2016, there have been updates to the CDC's recommendation for the shingles vaccine. The live shingles vaccine (Zostavax) referenced in this... By Wren5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments10 comments
What to Expect at Your First Rheumatologist AppointmentIf you have recently been referred to a rheumatologist, or if you have been reading up on rheumatoid arthritis and it seems that your symptoms fit with this diagnosis, you... By Tamara Haag5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Smiling at RAYou’re in the midst of a rheumatoid flare. You’re hurting, fatigued, and feeling like a flattened bag of week-old French fries someone dropped in the parking lot. So when a... By Wren3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Workplace Discrimination – Know Your Workplace RightsWhen you live with a chronic illness or disability, it can sometimes be difficult to function in the workplace. However, many workers who are struggling may be reluctant to speak... By Mariah Z. Leach5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Smaller Phones, Less Pain: the new iPhone SEIt's here! The new SMALLER iPhone SE! A devoted Apple and iPhone user, this is what I've been waiting for, as I've been hanging onto my "old" 5s for nearly... By Angela Lundberg3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
I gotta be meThe song "I Gotta Be Me" has been performed by lots of singers since it first appeared in a Broadway musical in 1968, Golden Rainbow, written by Walter Marks. Everyone... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Fraying NervesJust when you thought you knew all there was to know about rheumatoid disease, I barge in to tell you more. Today’s subject: how it may affect your nerves. Yes... By Wren2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Day and NightIt struck me recently how much different RA is during the day versus at night for me. I wonder if this true for others of just one of those quirky... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments16 comments
The Great Coffee Debate"I Don't Drink Coffee. Should I Start?" is the headline of an article I just read in The New York Times' "Health" section, written by a non-coffee drinker who is... By Angela Lundberg4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments24 comments
One Painful Step at a TimeWalking. Such an important and necessary part of our lives. We need to do it just to function. Not to mention the joy that it brings or the part it... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Your Incredible Shrinking WrenI'm a slightly smaller wee bird these days. In January, I challenged myself to get serious about dropping some excess weight. The reasons are righteous (and, let’s face it, unavoidable). First... By Wren5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Illness from a Child’s PerspectiveWhen I was a child, it was difficult to understand my illness. All I could comprehend was that I didn’t feel well and had to take medications and do therapies... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Attitude is everythingHandling RA on a day to day basis requires a lot of tools. From my perspective one of the most important and perhaps less tangible ones is attitude. For me... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Tao of KittyI have been fortunate to have cats since I can remember. Our first cat when I was a little girl was black and white, lived outside, and was aptly named... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Understanding the Application Process for Social Security Disability BenefitsApplying for Social Security Disability Benefits The Social Security Administration is a branch of the United States federal government that provides disability benefits to individuals who cannot work due to... By Mariah Z. Leach5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
When the RD Meds Work--Sort ofBack in November of last year I started a new biologic drug to treat my rheumatoid disease. Having had two other biologics fail me utterly during the previous 12 months... By Wren3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Characterizing RA painI would imagine that like me, most of you are asked from time to time to explain the type of pain you are feeling in your joints ravaged by RA... By Nan Hart2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Funky FeetMy feet are strange and unusual. Perhaps I should call them unique. They are abnormally small, which I attribute to my rheumatoid arthritis constricting their natural growth trajectory. Additionally, many... By Kelly Mack2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments