The Sleep TestAs I had written earlier, one of my doctors was worried that I may have sleeping problems. To be honest, over the years a few doctors had mentioned sleep apnea...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
What Pain WantsI'm currently reading a fantastic book about living with chronic pain, "Pain Woman Takes Your Keys, and Other Essays from a Nervous System" by Sonya Huber. Huber herself struggles with rheumatoid...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
When the Harassment Plan Doesn't WorkKelly Mack recently wrote an article on her techniques to make sure prescriptions and other medical procedures run smoothly through her insurance company. I agree with her article and often...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Traveling with RAI love to travel. I love exploring new places and new cultures. If you're also like me in that you have RA, you know that traveling can be a struggle...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Where It Doesn’t HurtIn recent months I’ve been meditating, and this practice has helped me shift my brain’s focus from the pain in my body. As I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Fatigue-Inspired BlundersOne of the worst things about autoimmune illness is the lack of energy. It makes everything else worse, and it saps time like nothing else. Be that as it may...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
Not Talking About the PainI know that every day I have pain. I know that the name for this state of being is called living with chronic pain. I know that my pain comes...Reactions0reactionsComments25 comments
What Happens if Obamacare is Struck Down: Part 1President Trump is back with a vengeance, once again trying to repeal Obamacare a.k.a. the Affordable Care Act, (ACA) and all of the health care protections and provisions the act...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
What Does 'Remission' Mean to Me?The definition of remission is “a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease”. No symptoms? No need for meds? It sounds like something I’ll never achieve...Reactions0reactionsComments19 comments
'Normal' ?It is fascinating that people ask about what is a ‘normal’ day, week or life with Rheumatic Disease (RD)? This question led me to ask myself what is ‘normal’? According...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Guinea PigI need to start by saying I am incredibly grateful to have found a medication that is making a difference in my rheumatoid arthritis in the most substantial way I...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Sleep Hygiene as a Defense Against RA PainsomniaPeople with rheumatoid arthritis have more than a passing acquaintance with painsomnia—the sleep-disrupting pain caused by RA. In fact, more than half suffer from suboptimal sleep, thanks to pain. Throbbing...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Seven Ways to Improve InjectionsMany RA medications come in the form of self-injectables. Over the last 18 years I have heard many people complain that they cannot learn to give themselves injections or if they...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Feeling Good When I Don’t Feel GoodLife with JRA has meant that for the majority of my life I haven’t felt good in one way or another. The triad of chronic inflammation, chronic pain, and fatigue...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Questions for the Newly DiagnosedA rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis can be a lot to process. Yes, you're finally relieved to know what was causing all those awful symptoms like pain, unprecedented morning stiffness, and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How to Treat Your Eyes with KindnessIn this video, I discuss some strategies for easing the discomfort that RA often causes to our eyes...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Harassment PlanAfter years of painful experiences and even more painful delays, I’ve learned then when I deal with my health insurance and/or my specialty pharmacy, I need to adopt and execute...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Things Patients Want Rheumatologists to KnowI recently read an interesting article on Creaky Joints' website: "20 Things Arthritis Patients Wish Rheumatologists Knew." For the article, Creaky Joints asked several people with arthritis about what they wish...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Not Cured YetThe first blood test result after starting my new medication, I actually didn’t believe it. I thought there was an error at the blood lab. But after a second test...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Treating RA During the "Opioid Crisis"I’ve had rheumatoid disease (arthritis) for more than 30 years, and I’m very interested in how the “opioid crisis” affects patients like myself. So, I’ve been reading articles in rheumatology...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments