Disease and DisabilitySince I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis for more than 35 years now, I have accumulated a lot of physical damage from this disease. A lot of my joint deformities, contractions and...reactionscomments
You Know You Have RA When . . .We know that the typical signs and symptoms associated with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include joint stiffness and swelling as well as a number of positive laboratory test...reactions11comments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: RA Friendly Baby GearThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 18 of my second pregnancy...reactions2comments
Another Weather RantI know, I talk about the weather a lot on here, but the truth is, it really impacts my RA in a negative way. I know that there are some...reactions1comment
Release the Hounds!One of my persistent complaints about being a chronic disease patient most of my life is the lack of coordination of my care. Looking back, I think my parents began...reactions6comments
Differences between Rheumatoid Arthritis and OsteoarthritisMay is Arthritis Awareness month and RheumatoidArthritis.Net is joining in the recognition. “Arthritis” is a general term and, according to the American College of Rheumatology, is used for over 100 diseases...reactions2comments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: Pregnancy-Safe RA ReliefThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 14 of my second pregnancy...reactionscomments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: The Magic R-WordThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 12 of my second pregnancy...reactions5comments
Chronically Ill Patients and Legislated Health Insurance ChangesToday I received a rather long email from the Director of my Human Resources department carefully outlining the options for health insurance for the new fiscal year that begins July...reactions6comments
What to Expect When Getting an Infusion Medicine for RANeedles and RA go hand-in-hand. When patients are prescribed injectable methotrexate or one of the first line biologic medicines like Enbrel or Humira, they tend to stress over the fact...reactions6comments
When People Just Don't Get ItRecently, my boyfriend and I had plans to go to the movies with another couple. I hadn’t felt good all day. I alternated between napping and feeling awful, but managed...reactions5comments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: Morning Sickness and Other UnpleasantnessThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 9 of my second pregnancy...reactionscomments
Talking to MyselfThere are so many things I would like to tell myself as a child. If I could write a letter to my younger self, I feel like I could share...reactions4comments
Love Your BodyYour body is completely amazing. Every single day your joints and muscles and organs and glands and nerves work together to keep you going. Each individual part of your body...reactions4comments
Massage, Exercise, Heat Pads, and Electrical Stimulation – Just Another Day at the Physical TherapistIn the recent RA in America poll reported on this website, 41% of respondents indicated that they had partaken in physical therapy and 11% in occupational therapy as part of...reactionscomments
Do You Rally Around RA?Often, if I don’t feel good, I can lie down for about an hour and I start to feel better. I call that rallying. I can usually get up and...reactions2comments
What's the Cure for Annoying Advice?If you have RA or any form of arthritis, I doubt you've been able to escape receiving at least some unwarranted and unwelcome advice about how to help or even...reactions10comments
Run AroundI'm about ready to scream, cry, throw something, and probably punch someone. Or maybe do all of those things at once. For a week and a half I've been getting...reactionscomments
Are You Working Out With RA Or Is RA Working Out With You?I seem to have gone on a workout sabbatical. I can’t really explain why, but I seem to have developed workout anxiety. I just haven’t been able to do it. ...reactions2comments
How To Talk To Your Partner About SexIf living with RA has had a negative impact on your sex life, you are certainly not alone. Although it is an extremely difficult and personal topic, I’ve shared some...reactionscomments
