Caring for Our Emotional Well-Being & Mental HealthPracticing self-care looks different for each of us. For some, self-care means looking after our physical well-being. For others, it also means taking action to better our mental or emotional...reactions1comment
What Was That?I went to sit down in my SUV on July 24, 2020, and my right hip yelled at me! I had to change positions and readjust my seat belt to...reactions22comments
RA Nodules: Knot a Big Deal?Before my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD) in 2000, I’d been repeatedly misdiagnosed for years. Doctors told me I had strains, sprains, tendonitis, and Reiter’s syndrome before I was...reactions47comments
Infographic: Pain Management Treatment and CareIn September of 2019, Health Union (the parent company of RheumatoidArthritis.net) partnered with the US Pain Foundation for our first ever Chronic Pain in America survey to ask members of...reactions4comments
New Insights on FatigueThe struggle with fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis is persistent and well documented. Treating it, however, is very much lacking. The general practice has been to say that well-managed RA (also...reactions15comments
Chemicals that Contribute to Inflammation in Rheumatoid ArthritisOnce I discovered that inflammation was the root of all evil within the rheumatoid arthritis world, I decided that for my own health and the health of my family, I...reactions4comments
My Life with RA: Interview with WrenThe Editorial Team at RheumatoidArthritis.net had the opportunity to interview Wren, a contributor for our online community since 2015. In this brief interview, Wren opens up about her frustrations with...reactions2comments
Treating RA-Related Ankle TendonitisI’ve had ankle pain for years. Perhaps I should have taken specific action about it sooner, but if you have severe rheumatoid arthritis in every bone of your body, it...reactions24comments
Dear Friends, Family, and Coworkers: I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)This article is for my dear friends, family, and co-workers. I wanted to let you know that I have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). If you're reading this, I...reactions72comments
How Fallible Are We? RA and Life Expectancy/MortalityNo doubt, discussing our increased fallibility due to RA is at best, challenging and, at worst, overwhelming. I think we tend to push this to the back of our minds, deep...reactions10comments
Opt OutsideI took a few moments to break the home order to sit on my front steps and breathe in the fresh air. Thankfully, I am forced to enjoy nature multiple...reactions8comments
The Persistence of PainPeople with rheumatoid arthritis are very familiar with pain. In fact, we’re a little too familiar with it! Even if we are fortunate enough to be on a treatment that...reactions76comments
Spoonie StrongWhether you are new to your rheumatoid arthritis journey or a veteran you may have heard the term “spoonie” thrown around. Many people with chronic illnesses call themselves “spoonies”. If...reactions22comments
The RA, Vitamin, Mineral, and Food Connection - Part 4This article concludes a 4-part series entitled, "The RA, Vitamin, Mineral, and Food Connection.” If you have not done so, I highly encourage you to read, “The RA, Vitamin, Mineral...reactions2comments
My Dog Has It RightMy eldest dog, Affie, is a Coton de Tulear. Cotons are similar to Bichon Frises except their fur feels more like cotton (hence the name!). Cotons and Bichons are small...reactions2comments
What You Don't SeeThis spring, I noticed a “what you don’t see – chronic illness version” tag on social media. People re-shared a selfie and wrote down the things that were happening behind...reactions16comments
Which Mask Am I Wearing Today?You might be thinking I am referring to the masks so many of us are using to combat COVID-19. That is not the case. I am talking about the masks we...reactions1comment
Experiencing Chest and Rib Cage Pain with RAIf you've ever experienced chest pain with rheumatoid arthritis, you aren't alone. This pain, inflammation, and tenderness in the sternum area is called costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage near...reactions8comments
Surgeries and Rheumatoid ArthritisMany of you have had surgeries. Some of you have had surgeries since the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Then, there are those of you who are new to rheumatoid arthritis...reactions2comments
RA Fog and FrustrationThe past few weeks — and really since we’ve been in isolation — I have been incredibly tired. But this isn’t the usual tired: this is RA tired, complete with...reactions4comments