"But You Don't Look Sick"The thing about living with a sometimes-invisible disease is that it sort of feels like it's you against the world. You're living with this secret, this shadow, this double-life —...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
A Little Gratitude in Uncertain TimesRecently, I wrote an article to empower us ‘Spoonies’ to head into this quarantine with confidence and strength. Now, I am going to talk about all the things I am...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
When Lupus Limits Physical AffectionDo you know what my husband needs? A hug. A reassuring hand on his arm. A gentle back rub. All simple physical gestures, and all too frequently beyond my ability...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Finding a Good RheumatologistPeople who have chronic health conditions like ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or other similar diseases might be advised by their regular doctor or primary care physician to see a specialist known...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Post-Activity Stiffness and Psoriatic ArthritisPlease do not take this as the standard stiffness all of us with psoriatic arthritis usually experience first thing in the mornings. I want to talk more about being active...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Ask The Advocate: How PsA Impacts Daily LifePsoriatic arthritis can change how you live your life every single day. This condition is the center of the wheel that outreaches to all different aspects of life: physical and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Brain Fog: The Impact of RA on Mental FunctioningResults from the 2019 RA In America Survey showed that 61 percent of survey participants living with RA experienced brain fog within the last month of taking the survey. Along...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis = Reality AdjustmentI remember the day I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, in May 2004, like it was yesterday. Memories of all the lab reports, research I had done, countless doctor visits...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
The Avoidable Unavoidable Ugliness of Pity & Chronic IllnessPity. Ugh, I know right? It’s awful, and no one wants to be pitied, or pitiable, but even just now when I said the word, you got that feeling, didn’t...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Love Your FeetIn this video, Nan chats about taking care of our feet with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially during the months we are in shoes! Listen as Nan shares some of the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Long Nights and Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Problem of Chronic Insomnia “Have you stopped drinking coffee? You need to exercise every day and that will help you sleep.” It had been awhile since I’d slept a full night and I figured...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
A Little Vitamin D on My RAnniversaryTime for celebration. It’s my 13th RAnniversary!! My disease is a teenager now. However, it’s likely older than that. Like a stray cat, we’re not exactly sure how old my...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Inject Me TenderlyStorytime: I have osteoarthritis. The end. Just kidding! I have relatively severe osteoarthritis and take medications to combat further deterioration. I started with a couple of different pills but...Reactions0reactionsComments38 comments
Silver Linings & Sour Dairy - Benefits of Chronic IllnessThis whole corona pandemic has gotten me thinking about the drawbacks of RA, sure. But really, it has me thinking about the benefits – that elusive silver lining that sometimes...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
On Shaky Grounds These DaysThroughout my 25 years with RA, I have had periods of time where I feel a personal “earthquake” of sorts. Characterized by a sense of emotional and mental unsteadiness, it...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Nature's Impact on Our Physical & Mental HealthThere is growing evidence that spending time in nature can help people feel less depressed, anxious or stressed. Maintaining our connection to nature can improve one’s quality of life and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A New RA Foot Pain and Sleep TroublesMy sleep has been disrupted lately, mostly due to a new a RA pain I have been having in my left foot. It affects the joints right under my big...Reactions0reactionsComments41 comments
The (Virtual) Doctor Is In! Sharing Telehealth ExperiencesAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues, telehealth is being used by more and more people. Telehealth is also sometimes called telemedicine or virtual care. Whether you have been using telehealth for...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Social Distancing Spurs Telehealth SurgeThe technology needed for virtual healthcare has been around for decades. But virtual care has not been widely used in the United States until recently. The recent public health emergency...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
RA Fatigue Affects Every Aspect of LifeIt often feels like there aren't any specific words to describe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fatigue and how it makes us feel. Fatigue is one of the hardest symptoms to cope...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments