Living

When 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...

I 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...

This 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...

I’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...

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...

I 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...

After 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...

I 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...

When 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...

The 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...

I 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...

Okay, 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...

Hardly a day goes by on the rheumatoid arthritis Facebook site that a person doesn’t mention their persistent battle with fatigue. It’s one of the most frustrating symptoms of RA...

Recently there’s been a lot of talk about whether women can have careers AND families, and be good at both. I think this is also an interesting question when it...

When I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 25, I was right in the middle of law school and had not yet started my career. However, many people...

About the time I first ventured into a rheumatology clinic after being referred by my general practitioner, I had been battling a nasty case of hives for the previous year...

After a long day at work, I got on the bus recently and took a seat at the front of the bus. Several other people got on after me and...

By the time I finally received the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, it was not an unexpected surprise.  I had experienced strange symptoms for years. “My hands just don’t feel right,”...

I was diagnosed with RA in mid-2008. Like many people, my rheumatologist began my treatment plan with methotrexate along with an NSAID and pain relievers. In the six years since...

I have the travel bug. Whenever I have saved enough funds and vacation time, I look for opportunities to travel. Rather than fading with age, the lure of travel beckons...