7 Spooky Surprises of RAIn honor of Halloween, I thought it would be entertaining to think about the spooky aspects of living with rheumatoid arthritis. It feels like every day I notice some strange... By Kelly Mack2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Jaw Pain and Rheumatoid ArthritisThe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) encompassing the jaw is one of the most complex and misunderstood joints in the body. There are multiple muscles, bones and soft tissues involved in motions... By Andrew Lumpe, PhD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Showing Off My ScarsThroughout the years I’ve accumulated quite a collection of scars. If I were a painted canvas, I would be an original, abstract piece of modern art. Instead, I’m a walking... By Kelly Mack2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Stand Up Or Get OutBy now, you’ve probably heard of the now infamous Kanye West incident, in which he refuses to continue a concert until everyone in attendance was standing up. One fan had... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Seize the DayI regularly fight the pull and tug of fatigue. My body saying “I don’t want to get up,” “I don’t want to exercise,” “I don’t want to go out and... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
When You Can’t But You Do AnywayIt was Thursday about lunchtime. I’d decided I could no longer ignore the flare. My main RA treatment had quit working and even though I’d started on the replacement drug... By Carla Kienast3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Financial Crisis to Caregiving: An Unexpected OutcomeBeyond the many concerns and questions of being a caregiver I shared previously, I don’t have much experience dealing with the healthcare system. Lisa is quite independent and so she... By Rob4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
“At Least It’s Not Cancer”“At least it’s not cancer.” Have you heard this before? In the fourteen years since my diagnosis, I have heard this statement countless times from well-intentioned people who are trying... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
When RA Seems SecondaryWhen I was diagnosed with lupus and RA in 2008, I never imagined that anything worse could ever happen to me. It seemed like being diagnosed with multiple incurable chronic... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Educating People Is ExhaustingI am a firm believer in teachable moments, and helping people understand the ins and outs of rheumatoid arthritis. But lately, I’m frustrated. I’m feeling really sick and tired of... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments15 comments
Protect Your Skin from Photosensitive ReactionsThis summer has been glorious; not too hot and less humid than usual. Rob and I have spent more time outside this summer than we have in the past few... By Lisa Emrich4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Switching RA Medicines – Don’t Wait Too Long or Try Too ManyI’ve been on 7 - count them - 7 different biologic medicines since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I started with several anti-TNF biologics and then moved to several others... By Andrew Lumpe, PhD4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments12 comments
Ready, Set, Jab!Man developed survival instincts for a reason, and stabbing yourself with a needle runs counter to all of them. A few months after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Off the SpectrumI never really knew where to place myself on the spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis. When I was a small child, I didn’t know anyone else with RA so I couldn’t... By Kelly Mack2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Thrown into the Deep End: Concerns of a Novice CaregiverAfter that painful, sleepless night in the fall of 2006, Lisa finally received a diagnosis. What caused the pain and discomfort in her extremities? It was rheumatoid arthritis. Although the... By Rob2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
The Importance of Medical Alert Bracelets And RAI first considered getting a medical alert bracelet when I began teaching undergraduate students. While I knew that they would be able to call 911 if I ever had a... By Leslie Rott3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What’s All the Noise About? Joint Sounds and RAWhen battling rheumatoid arthritis, staying in one position for long is not feasible as joints become stiff and uncomfortable. After a few minutes the urge to stretch hits. When doing... By Andrew Lumpe, PhD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: Balancing Acts & Difficult DecisionsThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 30 of my second pregnancy.Life... By Mariah Z. Leach4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
RA and HerpesI don’t believe in coincidence. Karma, yes. Fate, yes. Coincidence, no. This is especially true in medicine. If you are trapped for hours in an airplane full of hacking, sneezing... By Carla Kienast3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
First, Second, 20th OpinionsOkay, I admit, I haven't had 20 opinions on my stubborn right ankle, but I'm guessing that I'm getting close to it. I'm in North Carolina right now because I... By Angela Lundberg6 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments15 comments