Articles

Ever wonder why the RA drugs you take only seem to affect certain joints? Or why the drugs might be literally life-changing to one person with rheumatoid disease, but have...

Most people are surprised when they hear that I have rheumatoid arthritis. This is in part due to RA being an "invisible disability," meaning that I may look fine on...

I’ve loved to read since I learned how as a little girl. Reading has always informed and even transformed my days, my nights, and my life. With a book in...

Living with a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis requires my active engagement in managing my health. I have learned that being knowledgeable and inquisitive about my care and maintaining my...

Despite the fact that I, and many of us, have terrific support, there is still a strong sense of loneliness that accompanies RA.  At first glance, one may think that...

I am losing my grip. I don’t mean my grip on reality (although that’s a possibility). I mean the physical grip in my hands. When I was diagnosed, there was...

Like many of you out there, I have some degree of pain every single day. The last time I had a completely pain-free day was sometime in early 1997, I'd...

Of all the things about rheumatoid arthritis I hate (and there are too many to list here), fatigue has to be one of the worst. RA-related fatigue is not being...

Many of us with RA have other challenges to contend with that are not always so overtly related to the disease. One of those is dryness. I mean dryness of every...

Is our mind separate from our body? Do we have mental control over the prognosis of disease? Have you ever been told that rheumatoid arthritis is all in your head? If...

As a working mother of two young children, I constantly feel like there’s never enough time to accomplish all my tasks. There are always dishes to wash, baskets of laundry...

Negative emotions can drive RA down a path we do not want or need! How can we manage them? I have some ideas...

"When we are self-indulgent and uncritical, when we confuse hopes and facts, we slide into pseudoscience and superstition.” - Carl Sagan We had to speak loudly to be heard above...

I recently had a discussion with my rheumatologist about footwear and RA.  For most of us with RA, foot pain and general discomfort are part and parcel of the RA...

A few weeks ago I felt incredibly lucky to be doing yard work. I usually leave outdoor chores to my husband, as I have rheumatoid arthritis. This means there are...

Exciting news! I finally got the ball rolling with a project idea I've had quietly brewing in my head for several months. What is this mysterious project? Well, since I...

The beast of polyurethane and springs weighed me down, my spine sinking, my joints aching, my mind shouting in a clamor, "don't let this fluffy piece of furniture get the...

There are many benefits to babywearing – from increased bonding, to reduced crying, and the ability to get something done! But for parents living with rheumatoid arthritis, there may be...

I’m minding my own business. Given that I live with rheumatoid disease, things are going pretty well this morning: I’m up, moving around with only minor stiffness or pain, I’ve...

I’m only four years into my experience as a mom, but even in that short amount of time I can make this statement with complete authority: being a mom is...