Articles

During Invisible Illness Awareness Week, we want to recognize and shed light on all those affected by an illness that may go unnoticed despite the major impact your illness has...

I have been using bone broth on a daily basis for the last 1 year and 8 months to help manage my rheumatoid arthritis. I was hesitant at first about...

I’ve always loved animals. When I was a kid, I joked that I was going to be a wild animal vet and my little brother had to be my assistant for...

I just moved apartments during a pandemic — all while having rheumatoid arthritis. And it was difficult. There was so much stuff to move and so many problems. However, I...

My diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was not immediate upon reporting vague symptoms to my primary care doctor as early as 2004. The main reason is that my laboratory results did...

Fatigue is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that affects various aspects of life. RA fatigue is more than “just tired.” Fatigue brings not only severe exhaustion but also decreased...

For the past year, my right ankle has been listing, like a boat that is slowly sinking. And lately, I’ve noticed that my shoes are getting worn to the nub...

One of the most impactful things I have had to learn since being diagnosed with RA is the art of prioritizing. We know that RA is draining: between fatigue, injections...

I sometimes feel like an armadillo. Sounds very strange, I know.  But I think it is intriguing to look at how we relate to other animals in nature in terms of...

I’m not sure what’s been making my RA worse lately, but my joints are in a lot more pain and my bloodwork has gotten worse. So much to the point...

I haven’t been out much in the last few months. (Understatement of the year, right?!) So, I actually am not used to being around people. Other than living with my...

I can remember, from an early age, loving to color. I would spend hours upon hours choosing the perfect colors for my picture. Absolutely, I would get lost in my...

As many as a third of people with rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD) are diagnosed with what is called seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. This means that rheumatoid factor is not present in...

Rheumatoid arthritis has become such an integrated part of my life that it is hard to believe it’s been 13.5 years since I was diagnosed. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few...

I am very lucky that I do not have any sleep disorders but I still have trouble falling asleep and staying that way. I haven’t pinpointed the reason. It could...

Yes, I do believe that after 25 years with RA I have developed an ability to sense when someone I am around has RA.  I call it RA-dar. I certainly...

About three years ago, I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s syndrome as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. My hands can get really cold and alternate between turning whitish to purplish. My feet...

In the digital age, there are so many devices, websites, and technologies related to health. From fitness trackers to mobile apps, we use connected health technology to track symptoms, monitor...

I've written quite a few articles on my attempts at spontaneity and changes in habits. I appreciate routine and its benefits for my rheumatoid arthritis. If I take my medications...

Secondary gain is a psychoanalytic term for the advantages someone with pain has because of their chronic pain. The idea is that some people exaggerate their symptoms, consciously or unconsciously...