Articles

The 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...

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...

We’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...

At 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...

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...

Each 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...

Part 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...

I’m guilty of not always being a patient person. But I cover it up well! I was recently surprised when a friend commented on how patient I am (with my...

I am, and at the age of 64, will likely remain, an optimist by nature.  I have always lived with the outlook that there is a positive side to nearly...

I speak about my seronegative Rheumatoid Disease often because it irritates me. I am a scientist so it does bother me! I strongly believe there is a reason for everything...

How to differentiate between RA and non-RAsymptoms, which are perhaps, just as important...

There are many things to hate about rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease [RA/RD]. There’s the pain, immobility, and crippling fatigue. There’s the cost, time, discomfort, and side effects of medical treatment. There...

Medical billing. Just saying those two words is enough to make a Delta Force soldier cringe.  It’s something all of us who are chronically ill deal with and it’s the...

Just like life in general, living with rheumatoid arthritis is a series of endless decisions. From the very big decisions about medication to the daily decisions about how much activity...

My career in the salon industry has been an extremely successful one. For the past 16 years, I have built my business and reputation on hard work and a listening...

I know I'm late writing about the new year (resolution: stop procrastinating!), but I still have some strong thoughts about it. Well, especially about 2018 and what nightmare of a...

“Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.” —Winnie the Pooh One of my secret goals for this year is to be better at doing nothing. I’m one...

It’s funny how powerful our mental blocks can be. I’ve long heard about the powerful benefits of meditation. For instance, the Mayo Clinic states that meditation may help with stress...

Pain management specialists are physicians who have special training in treating all kinds of pain. Pain can arise from a number of reasons, including from injury, nerve damage, surgery, or...

Reflecting on my goals for the last five years has been really helpful for me to think about the previous year and where I hope to go with my health...