No, There Isn't a Reason for Me to Have RAEverything in life happens for a reason. That’s what “they” tell us anyway. In the context of RA, I don’t believe that, at least not anymore, because no specific reason...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Testing PainSo, one thing I did not consider about the journey with RA, was the pain of the various tests we are subjected to. We all know about the pain of the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Fatigue and RA Part 4: BiopsychosocialIn the fourth video in this series, Mike continues a deep dive into rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue. The biopsychosocial model of mental health and fatigue are explored in this video...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Take the Fatigue and Health Survey!The 2020 Fatigue and Health survey has now closed. Thank you for your interest! We are excited to share the results with you soon.Exhaustion, tiredness, weariness... fatigue. We know chronic...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Tired and WearyExhausted, fatigued, wrung-out, worn-out, emotionally exhausted, physically exhausted, mentally exhausted, maybe spiritually exhausted also. Do any of these apply to you? I know the answer, but if you want to...Reactions0reactionsComments51 comments
Small Changes Can Make Big Differences (Part 1)I am a firm believer that making some small but meaningful changes in our daily lives can often have significant impacts over the course of our lives, well into the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Fun with WordsOne of the ways I cope with rheumatoid arthritis is by having fun with words. Creative naming can go a long way to defanging something scary or unpleasant. Sometimes it...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Adventures in Bacterial SinusitisIt all started with a cold. It seemed to last forever. I could not shake it off. The stuffed nose, the constant pressure in the front of my face. Some...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Fatigue and RA Part 3: DepressionFatigue isn't just all in your head. It's a real symptom of RA that impacts daily life. This is the third video of a multipart series on fatigue and rheumatoid...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Is It Spring Yet?It’s that time of year. We wonder if spring is ever coming. Spring comes in fits and starts in the Southeast. We get a few days of high 60 degrees...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Our Culture Makes No Space for PainI am grieving the recent death of my sister, and have been initiated to a world of emotional pain I’d previously only seen from a distance. Walking with this level...Reactions0reactionsComments26 comments
A Change in Routine: UpdateA little while ago I wrote about changing my daily routine. I had a full topic for an article because I had to consider my condition. An able-bodied person would...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Don't Leave Me Hanging on the TelephoneEver since I was first diagnosed with RA 22 years ago, I've had problems--big and small--regarding communication with my healthcare providers. Or maybe a lack of communication is a more...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Importance of Seeing SpecialistsThe expertise and skills of medical specialists are crucial for managing rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions. A perfect example is that when I was diagnosed as a child, it wasn’t...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Adjusting to New SpacesAfter a recent move to Virginia, Nan talks about the process of adjusting to new spaces when living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After becoming familiar with the space of her...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Real Talk About Real Life with Rheumatoid ArthritisLiving with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging. Debilitating fatigue. Swollen, painful joints. Reduced mobility. It can sometimes seem as though rheumatoid arthritis is controlling your life. And we are here...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Did I Have Enough Surgery?Most people don’t worry about having enough surgeries. But I have reached the point of four decades of accumulative, aggressive joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis and I wonder: “Did I...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
20 for 2020I'm having a hard time believing that it's now the year 2020, despite what the calendar says. I can still clearly remember gathering with my family (Mom, Dad, sister, aunts...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
My Experience With RA Chest Pain (Costochondritis)All morning sitting in my chair at my desk I felt a creeping but clear pressure growing in my chest. I thought, "Perhaps I worked out too hard this morning,"...Reactions0reactionsComments58 comments
Getting Through the DarknessIn this particular case, when I reference darkness, I am talking about light....glorious light. It really fascinates me how different the daylight hours are depending on where you live. I knew this...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments