RA, Perfectionism, and ProductivityI am a perfectionist. I place an immense amount of pressure on myself to complete any given task. It can be at work, at school, or a regular household chore...reactions42comments
My Experience With Recurrent Stress ReactionsI’ve lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms since childhood, and an official diagnosis/treatment plan since late 2016; and still, to this day, I find myself learning things about the disease...reactions2comments
Hard Truths of Chronically CaregivingThere are many special individuals out there filled with compassion and selflessness that make this sometimes overwhelming and isolating world a little less overwhelming and isolating. This group includes both...reactions8comments
My Journey From JIA to Pulmonary HypertensionEditor's Note: This article was written by Emily Wahl and was originally published on our new Health Union community, CardiovascularDisease.net. To check out the new community, click the blue button...reactions9comments
Relationships and the Unpredictability of RAOne of the most difficult parts of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic illness is the unpredictability. It is, in my humble opinion, the greatest obstacle to a so-called "normal life"...reactions5comments
My Time is Valuable: Or, How to Talk About Being ImmunocompromisedNow more than ever, my time is both limited and valuable. Sometimes, though, my time — because I have RA — clashes with normal conceptions of time in our society...reactions4comments
RA Pain: Ice Versus HeatFor as long as I can remember, I've found that non-medicinal methods of managing my RA have been just as important as the medication I take (currently Remicade). I've used...reactions11comments
Emotional Support Animals and RAI am the proud kitty mom to my emotional support animal (ESA), Hamlin. Living with a chronic medical condition like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has impacted my overall mental health. The...reactions1comment
Arthritis Awareness Month 2024 GiveawayUPDATE: The Arthritis Awareness Month 2024 Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest! May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and here at RheumatoidArthritis.net, we're honoring our wonderful community during...reactions26comments
Community Perspectives: Strange and Unexplained SymptomsRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex condition with many different signs and symptoms. Sometimes, the experience of a new or unexpected RA symptom can be scary, confusing, or upsetting. Some...reactions6comments
5 Tips for Managing Bad Days as a ParentThere is a little bit of difficulty when tackling a topic such as managing bad days when you are a parent. Because in all reality, at the end of the...reactions4comments
The Trap of Feeling Like a BurdenNot too long ago, I was hit with a triple threat: horrible insomnia, increased pain, and the need for hand surgery. As luck would have it, I had been planning...reactions9comments
"Can We Switch Bodies?" and Other Empathy-Building IdeasThere have been so many times in my life dealing with chronic illnesses that I have wondered what it would be like to take a moment to step out of...reactions4comments
Leveling Up With RALeveling up. It’s for video games, sure, but for those of us who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, we do it every single day. "What could you possibly mean by that?"...reactions28comments
RA in Longer WintersNever in my life have I experienced the amount of snow that has fallen in Wisconsin this winter, and apparently, this is a warm winter for Wisconsin. Coming from Florida...reactions11comments
When a Fever Amplifies Your RA SymptomsI am hardly ever a person who gets a fever. To be honest, I can count on one hand the number of fevers I experienced during this past year. And...reactions15comments
The Great Flare DebateWhen you explore Dr. Google for general information about rheumatoid arthritis, you will often see references to the term "flare." Many general information websites discuss flares as if patients with...reactions65comments
Celebrating New Milestones Despite the Fear of Living With RAThis May, I will be celebrating my 20th anniversary of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was in my twenties when the diagnosis came into my life at the force...reactions33comments
Keep Away, Toothfairy! My Tips for Healthy Teeth and RASince June 2023, I’ve been scared into really taking care of my teeth. Last year, I had a tooth removed due to severe infection and deterioration. It had nothing to...reactions28comments
Sweet Dreams Are Made of This"Wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain, drips in our hearts as we try to sleep." -Aeschylus, Agamemnon My sleep hygiene is appalling. It's erratic and unhealthy and...reactions19comments