One Painful Step at a TimeWalking. Such an important and necessary part of our lives. We need to do it just to function. Not to mention the...reactions1comment
Others May Not “See” It, But I Feel ItDuring Invisible Illness Awareness Week, we want to recognize and shed light on all those affected by an illness that may go...reactionscomments
RA PrioritiesOne of the most impactful things I have had to learn since being diagnosed with RA is the art of prioritizing. We...reactions1comment
RA and Dogs: It's ComplicatedI’ve always loved animals. When I was a kid, I joked that I was going to be a wild animal vet and my...reactions8comments
Do Treatment Outcomes Differ Between Seronegative RA and Seropositive RA?My diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was not immediate upon reporting vague symptoms to my primary care doctor as early as 2004. The...reactions14comments
I’m Here. How Can I Help? 5 Ways to Be SupportiveThere’s a lot of pressure and misunderstanding about mental health. Knowing what to say and do can be tricky. You can be...reactionscomments
The Armor of Rheumatoid ArthritisI sometimes feel like an armadillo. Sounds very strange, I know. But I think it is intriguing to look at how we relate...reactions3comments
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...reactionscomments
4 Self-Advocating TipsWhen suffering from such a mysterious illness, you are often required to see multiple doctors that specialize in different things. I can...reactions7comments
What Does Pain Actually Look Like?Here’s a scenario I’d like you to consider: two people are currently experiencing acute and intense pain. The first person is generally...reactions10comments
Does Itching Cause Anxiety or Does Anxiety Cause Itching?Several months ago, I had the displeasure of going to see an immunologist, after my rheumatologist was unable to provide an answer...reactions23comments
Age Is in the Eye of the BeholderThose of us living with rheumatoid arthritis often feel older than our years. The creaky, stiff, and painful joints inflamed by this...reactions4comments
Transitioning to Fall and Winter WeatherUsually my best time of year with fewer rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is summer. My joints feel better in the heat and my...reactions2comments
Learning to Speak RAWhen you’re diagnosed with RA you become a member of an exclusive club. To quote the iconic comic, Groucho Marx (and others...reactions1comment
I Am EnoughEvery once in a while I come across a string of words that rocks me to my core. A few months ago...reactions28comments
The Need for Better Diagnostic and Individualized Tests for RAThere are several blood tests that rheumatologists currently use to diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an...reactions5comments
Weasel WordsI believe the two most disheartening words you can hear from a doctor are “chronic pain.” As in “You have chronic pain.”...reactions16comments
RA Medicine Treatment PrimerFor those who have only been recently diagnosed with RA, the treatment options can be overwhelming. There are Biologics, DMARDs, NSAIDs, steroids...reactionscomments
Early Morning Exercise for the Late NighterExercise, as tolerated, and sufficient sleep and rest, are integral parts of rheumatoid arthritis management. Both in combination can elevate mood (depression...reactions2comments
What Scares MeWhen I had my first joint replacements, I remember telling a friend that I was worried about the lifespan of my joints...reactions3comments
