Is Grief a Pain Trigger for Me?For the past 1.5 years, I have walked a unique journey as I have supported my mom through stage 4 melanoma, a type of skin cancer that has spread to...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
PermanentAs I finish my prerequisites and slowly work towards my veterinary school applications, I am constantly bombarded by the fact that my chronic illness might be the main reason why...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
My Journey With RA, Insomnia, and a Bedtime Story PodcastI was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis over 19 years ago. Since my diagnosis, my ability to get a sound sleep has been greatly impaired. I have trouble falling asleep, and...Reactions0reactionsComments19 comments
My Last Rheumatologist Appointment in FloridaUnless you have RA — or another chronic illness — you probably won't understand this. But in July, I had my last appointment with my rheumatologist in Florida. This rheumatologist...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
The Unavoidable Challenges of Being ImmunocompromisedWhen I was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, I was already living with Crohn's disease, another autoimmune disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Because of this, I was actually already...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Leaving the Door Open to PossibilityWhen I had my knee infection and revision surgery about 10 years ago, I told everyone my goal for recovery: to stand and walk. It was my fifth joint replacement...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
New Humira Biosimilars for RA Treatment in 2023Humira® (adalimumab) is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. Humira is created using live cells to make a specific antibody. This antibody targets a specific protein...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Community Forums Roundup: Treatment Side Effects, Work, and Exercise With RAHere at RheumatoidArthritis.net, our community members and the stories they share in our forums are invaluable sources of connection, knowledge, and support for all, no matter where they are in...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Approaching Re-evaluation"Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!" Do you ever feel that way? Sometimes I feel like my ride is a never-ending roller coaster with twists, turns, and...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
That Old Familiar Feeling (of an Impending Flare)That old familiar feeling. Those of us who have been living with RA for a while know what it feels like when the illness flares up. Whether you have been...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Stress Management With RA: 4 Ways to Break the CycleStress management is a key element of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease management. Because, for many of us, stress is a key contributor to ongoing battles with flares and fatigue. However...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments
Graduating With RA and Reflections on an MAIt's hard to believe the big day has come: I graduated with my master of arts (MA) degree in literature, media, and culture in May 2023. This has been a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
World Arthritis Day Health Leader Panel: RA Treatment, Support, and AdvocacyWorld Arthritis Day was October 12, and RheumatoidArthritis.net held a special event to help raise awareness and celebrate this incredibly important day. Watch the video replay of the panel discussion...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What to Expect: MethotrexateAs a newbie to the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) community (although not a newbie to the chronic illness community), I truly had no idea about the treatment options when it came...Reactions0reactionsComments128 comments
Community Forums Roundup: Pain Management, Costs, and Complex SymptomsHere at RheumatoidArthritis.net, our community members and the stories they share in our forums are invaluable sources of connection, knowledge, and support for all, no matter where they are in...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Transitioning to Middle Age With JIARead the first part of this article here. As a child, my juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (now called juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or JIA) was extremely aggressive. Starting with my left knee...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Asking for Help Is a Skill We Need to LearnI have come to understand that asking for help of any kind for those of us with RA is 1) not easy, as many of us are type A personalities...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
When the Issues of My Day Become My Issues With RAIn hindsight, it was blissful. I have had a few months of really low joint swelling, and every day when I was walking my dog I couldn’t help grinning wide...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
A Letter to Myself, Pre-RA DiagnosisAn open letter to my younger self, before I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis: Dear Amanda, There's so much I want to tell you about, but I'm going to start...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
"Yes, But...": Communicating Tactfully With Doctors“Yes, but...” These 2 small words seem inconsequential, but for anyone living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic illness, they are part of one of the most important phrases you...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments