What to Tell OthersI have a hard time talking about my pain and illness with others. It’s something I’m trying to get better at, especially...reactions17comments
Outside the linesIt seems that so much of our time managing RA centers around the main aspects of the disease itself, i.e. the joint...reactionscomments
What Does That Say?I’ll admit it: I’ve never had great penmanship. As a young child, I was an overachiever with report cards filled with “E’s”...reactions2comments
Six Assistance Programs RA Patients Need to KnowDisclaimer: Some of the programs mentioned below have been discontinued. We're in the process of updating this information. Managing a chronic disease...reactions10comments
Invisible Illnesses & Handicapped ParkingEver since the day I was first issued my handicapped parking placard, I have been waiting for someone to give me a...reactions4comments
Losing Dr. McWonderfulIt was time to make my quarterly appointment with my rheumatologist. I called the Veteran’s Administration Health Care Appointments number and waited...reactions1comment
Summer R&R for RAHello from Brooklyn, New York! I'm back! Okay, maybe you didn't know I was even gone, but I took a two-week trip...reactions3comments
Searching for Peace in a Quiet DayWhen I was in college, I loved staying out until the wee hours of the night going dancing or to concerts, then...reactionscomments
Helpful or Hurtful?When does someone's "friendly" advice cross the line and turn unhelpful or even hurtful? Is unsolicited advice really an effort at friendship...reactions4comments
Plagued by InflammationIn recent months, I’ve been struggling with an inflammation of the eyelids called blepharitis. Warning: this is gross! I wake up with...reactions11comments
RA Daydreams: Robot ChauffeurLiving with rheumatoid arthritis can feel like a nightmare, which sometimes leads me to daydream about things that would make this journey...reactionscomments
The Importance of Patient FeedbackOur healthcare system can be extremely complicated for patients to navigate. And, all too often, it seems like patients are a captive...reactions2comments
Not Measuring UpWhen I returned home from my last knee replacement surgery I had nurse visits, home rehabilitation with a physical therapist, and also...reactions2comments
Like When it Sneaks Up on YouSo the other day I was at my computer. I was researching an article, surfing the Web for credible background, reading, and...reactions4comments
Listening to Caregivers: Recollections from a Caregiver SeminarThis past weekend, I traveled with Lisa for a 1-day patient blogger conference held in Chicago, IL. The event, hosted by a...reactionscomments
RA In America – Symptoms by the NumbersThe RA diagnosis and disease management journey can often feel overwhelming, especially when the number of your symptoms increases over time. Are...reactions11comments
Laughter truly IS the best medicineI can imagine that at first glance the notion of laughing about a chronic disease borders on absurdity. But let me make...reactions2comments
The RA DivideRecently I went to pick up my kids from preschool, and was feeling really achy. There had been a series of storms...reactions2comments
Skin in the GameI have a new dermatologist. It wasn’t really a choice. My previous dermatologist of many years passed away and the practice was...reactions2comments
Enough, Already!When I was young, I thought rheumatoid disease (arthritis) was something only old people had. Then I got it myself. I was...reactions2comments
