Why I Changed My RA BiologicI did something a little crazy, but it made sense to me: I changed my biologic. My previous one was working great. I had no adverse reactions, and I liked...Reactions0reactionsComments27 comments
Fatigue Relapse: Or, How to Handle the Emotional and Physical Pain of RA FatigueI’ve been way too fatigued lately. Too tired. It feels that I have to exert so much more effort to accomplish the things that people my age can do with...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
My New RA Career Path: Meeting My Job DeveloperI previously wrote about my insecurities, anxiety, and fears of diving back into job searching. My journey into a new career path continues after I shared my feelings. The next...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Anemic and Confused: Part 3Let me tell you — I’ve had a time-and-a-half with this uterus. As I detailed in my previous article, in a last-ditch effort, we tried an IUD to control my...Reactions0reactionsComments16 comments
RA and the State of Pain MedsI have been lucky thus far. The pain pill issues and the war this country is waging on pain patients has only touched me somewhat — with pill shortages here...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Power of Connection: Health Leader PerspectivesLiving with a chronic illness can be a challenging and isolating journey. The physical and emotional toll that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can have on people living with it can often...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
4 Ways to Manage the Unpredictability of RAWhen I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I was so grateful to have an actual diagnosis and answer to my most painful symptoms that I didn’t stop to...Reactions0reactionsComments14 comments
Entering Fierce ModeMy world shrinks smaller when I go into “fierce mode.” I pull back from outreach and engagement. I determine what are the necessary things for me to do, and concentrate...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Did My Lung Disease Cause My RA?For quite awhile, I felt that my chronic pain was just another symptom of the bigger disease in my life, cystic fibrosis (CF). I was born with CF, although I...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
All the SicknessHave you ever had a real doozy of a month? I have. I fell seriously ill and to be very honest, it was the worst. If you have an autoimmune...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Should I Have Joint Replacement? My RA ChecklistHave you considered joint replacement? Did you factor in your age when making the decision? Did your doctor give you a speech about joint failure and longevity? A friend of...Reactions0reactionsComments38 comments
Feeling Alone With My RAOver the decades that I’ve lived with rheumatoid arthritis, I’ve learned to straddle 2 realities. One reality is my daily life, where I structure my days so I can best...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
Time for a New Rheumatologist?In August 2019, before Covid-19 exploded and the world was overtaken by a deadly pandemic, I lost my rheumatologist. It was a devastating blow when he first told me the...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Coping With a Difficult RecoveryAs someone who lives with chronic illness, I have come to expect the unexpected in many ways. Unfortunately, life still throws curveballs our way. This summer, my lower back pain...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
8 Pain Relief Therapies I Can't Live WithoutIt's funny- when you live in pain, you spend a lot of time thinking about (and trying) different ways to think less about your pain. Like, if you could just...Reactions0reactionsComments20 comments
End of Semester Stress and RAWho would have thought: I'm sick again! And it's at the worst possible time for a graduate student: finals week. This serves as a stark reminder of how much my...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
How Much Do You Know about Rheumatoid Arthritis?As many of you already know, the month of May is dedicated to Arthritis Awareness Month. This year, in honor of awareness month, we are testing your knowledge of RA!...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
25 Summer Activities for Bad Pain DaysWith summer just around the corner, many of us are ready to enjoy more activity, BBQs, and days in the sun. It’s been a long, cold winter and you’re excited...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
What I’ve Learned From the RA CommunityThe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) community is diverse. It is full of people from all ages, genders, and geographic locations. The RA community is also full of support. People looking for...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Alcohol Consumption and RAStay with me here: I think there's a surprisingly intricate relationship between alcohol and RA. Don't get me wrong; I love occasionally indulging in a drink after a difficult day...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments