What is a Pain Management Specialist? Should I See One?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...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Updating Goals for 2019Reflecting 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...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Sick of Sickness!I had really been looking forward to saying (shouting?) goodbye to 2018. Why? 2018 was a tough year, especially regarding my health. And don't all things in life ultimately stem...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Miracle of a Well-Timed Good DayThe unpredictable nature of rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD) is an incredibly frustrating aspect of living with this disease. While I’d rather have intense pain intermittently than relentlessly, it is difficult...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
The New Year & CheckpointingThe new year. Every time it happens I always feel compelled to write the standard “hopes and resolutions” piece. Problem is I’ve released that album more times than the Beatles...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Great Sinus Situation of 2018Oh, my lungs hurt? It’s the methotrexate. My ribs are inflamed? It’s the rheumatoid arthritis. My tongue is sore? That’s just the Sjogren’s. Your head is completely congested? That’s just...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
The Pain of RALately I’ve seen a lot of people talking about the pain of RA. How it’s unrelenting, unforgiving, and seemingly without end. I get it, I really do. There have been times when I...Reactions0reactionsComments59 comments
Tips for Minimizing Your Fall RiskFall risks are all around. But when your mobility is impaired, fall risks are amplified. As such, so should be your awareness of these risks. To help increase your awareness...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Go Enjoy Your Life"Go enjoy your life. Really. I mean that seriously. Go enjoy it, 'cause there are people fighting like hell for it." --Claire Wineland I saw this quote posted on Instagram...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Secondary ImpactsUsually, RA is our biggest health issue but not always. In my case I have three of these autoimmune conditions and it seems what might be good for one is...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
RA Snapshot: End of a WorkdayWith relief, I finally make it to the end of my workday. All day long I have tried to focus on the task at hand, rather than the pain, and...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
I Need a Hug!"I don't need therapy, I need a hug." I saw this quote posted on Instagram recently and quickly saved it to my phone and thought, Yes, this is good! It's true! It...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Are These Test Results a Mistake?A couple weeks after starting a new biologic medication this fall I went to get my blood tested. I doubted anything would show up because it hadn’t been that long...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Assume the Best, Plan for the WorstSince my recent retirement from my full-time job of 24 years, there is a natural progression for me to “take stock” if you will of what lies ahead, my new...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Fear of Fear of Missing Out (FOFOMO)When you have a disease like RA, the “bad days” bring a lurking fear of missing out, like that guy at the bar no one really knew who jumped into...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
The Things You Cannot SeeDiseases such as rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD) are called “invisible disabilities” because most people who have them do not have highly visible signs of the disease. Some people with advanced...Reactions0reactionsComments16 comments
Dr. Who's On First“Doctor. Doctor. Doctor. Doctor.” Anyone who has tried to get anything done after years of RA (or any other autoimmune illness) knows the doctor shuffle. Just like the video, many...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
All NaturalIn the last couple of months, my RA has become more symptomatic, especially in the hands. I was able to lower the Prednisone 1mg after many failed attempts the last...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Oh, My Aching TeethIt would not be an exaggeration to say that my dental woes are on par with my RA issues. Now, how much one impacts the other is an age-old question. Honestly, I...Reactions0reactionsComments22 comments
I HATE WinterWhen people meet me, they quickly learn these basic facts. 1. I am married to Sheryl, 2. We have two sons who I adore, 3. We have three grandchildren that...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments