Living

There are a lot of strange aspects of rheumatoid arthritis, and when I look back at my childhood, there were several health issues that seemed unusual and out of place...

Did you know that research indicates that hard workouts can help joints with rheumatoid arthritis to feel better? In fact, new research findings described in Prevention magazine (“Giving Your Joints...

When I was around 20 years old, I had hopes that I would complete college, marry my sweetheart, and that we would have 3 kids before we turned 30. It...

I’ve had a lot going on recently, including losing my job due to budget cuts, going through a breakup from my boyfriend of three and a half years, and moving...

I love words. Not only do I believe that they’re one of the most powerful forces in the universe, I’ve been blessed enough to make my living writing for more...

It was a rainy Saturday morning, and I’d arranged for my children to spend a few hours with their grandmother so that I could hold the bi-annual toy purge I...

Findings from a recent study indicate that rheumatoid arthritis causes mood disorders. While mood shifts come as no surprise because we are battling pain, limitations, and sleep deprivation, it is...

Oh man, now I really feel bad. My husband had to stay home from work today...sick. He’s finally caught whatever crummy bug I’ve been dealing with over the past several...

In November, I attended a session entitled Sexual Issues in Rheumatology: Assessment and Intervention at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting. The session presenters were Doctor Mijal Luria, of...

I have a tendency to overdo things. A perfectionist and “type A” personality, I hold myself to very high standards. My worldview is a sea of potential projects, with constant...

I’m amazed when I stop and think about how many “assistive devices” I now have in my life. I’m not talking about canes, crutches, or walkers (although I own all...

Perhaps it’s the change to colder weather, but I have not been feeling well. My joints are generally achier and I’m experiencing more stiffness. I think increased exhaustion also brings...

Fatigue is one of the most difficult RA symptoms to treat, and over the last year and a half, it has been my most pernicious symptom in dealing with my...

Like a lot of people, I don’t have much regard for New Year’s resolutions. Why, I always wonder, should I make myself a bunch of promises that I’ll break long...

I often feel that in today's world we are all so busy and in such a rush to get our point across that we sometimes forget the simple value of...

When I’m with a friend who makes a disparaging comment about herself, I often respond, “Hey, don’t talk about my friend that way.” I hate to hear people I love...

Taking a look at RA from the perspective of the good, the bad and the ugly reveals some interesting insights worth sharing. Let's start with the good. For me the good...

January 1st is usually a date that's welcome and met with hope and enthusiasm, a chance for people to meet goals and better their lives in the new year. Not...

I went to Washington, DC over the summer to visit some good friends of mine. I spent one of the days wandering around by myself, checking out many of the...

As a care-giver, I feel both happy and fortunate to see my wife responding well to her medication, Rituxan. Over the past six years, Lisa’s Rituxan infusions have brought her...