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...reactions15comments
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...reactions25comments
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...reactions4comments
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...reactions27comments
'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...reactions5comments
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...reactions4comments
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...reactions1comment
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...reactions5comments
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...reactions3comments
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...reactionscomments
How to Treat Your Eyes with KindnessIn this video, I discuss some strategies for easing the discomfort that RA often causes to our eyes...reactions1comment
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...reactions8comments
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...reactions6comments
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...reactions10comments
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...reactions4comments
Pain is RelativeWe’re all familiar with that common and oh-so-subjective medical tool, the pain rating scale. “On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you rate your pain?” is a common...reactions6comments
The Value of RA Related Pre-Pain CluesAt first thought, it may seem strange to discuss pre-pain as a concept but I believe it is a distinctive part of RA and one worth tuning in to. It...reactions16comments
Brain Fog and RA – What Do Researchers Know?Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition, and most of us living with RA know from personal experience how inflammation can impact our joints! But how else might that...reactions7comments
“How Are You Today?” and Other Hard QuestionsEach time I encounter another person I face a choice: should I pretend to be the person I think I’m supposed to be or should I be authentic? Whenever we...reactions14comments
Goodbye (and Good Riddance!) 2018: Part 2Part 2 of "Goodbye (and Good Riddance!) 2018" After suffering from painful whiplash from a car accident, an excruciating throat infection, and bizarre back spasms that landed me in the...reactions2comments