HomebodyI’m an extrovert. While dictionaries generally define an “extrovert” as an outgoing person, psychologists and personality tests often look at the word...reactionscomments
Grief Is A Process; Progress Takes TimeFor those who have been diagnosed with chronic illness, it may be the worst thing that has ever happened to you. It...reactions5comments
Oh Blizzard!Growing up in upstate New York we had our fair share of heavy snowstorms. But living in DC for the past 15+...reactions1comment
Weighing the Risks: Glenn Frey and RD DrugsBy now, just about everyone has heard the sad news about Glenn Frey, co-founder and musician/songwriter of the Eagles, the wildly popular...reactions2comments
AnticipationOne aspect of living with a chronic disease like RA that often gets little attention is the notion of anticipation. What I...reactionscomments
Scoliosis and RAThere are a lot of strange aspects of rheumatoid arthritis, and when I look back at my childhood, there were several health...reactions17comments
Feel the BurnDid you know that research indicates that hard workouts can help joints with rheumatoid arthritis to feel better? In fact, new research...reactionscomments
RA Awareness GapsFebruary 2 is Rheumatoid Awareness Day. Unfortunately, this day is necessary, as a majority of people either have no idea what rheumatoid...reactionscomments
If Not For RA Would I Still Be Childless?When I was around 20 years old, I had hopes that I would complete college, marry my sweetheart, and that we would...reactionscomments
Stress Doesn’t Do A Body GoodI’ve had a lot going on recently, including losing my job due to budget cuts, going through a breakup from my boyfriend...reactions1comment
A New Word: KinesiophobiaI love words. Not only do I believe that they’re one of the most powerful forces in the universe, I’ve been blessed...reactions2comments
Locating Our LifeboatsIt was a rainy Saturday morning, and I’d arranged for my children to spend a few hours with their grandmother so that...reactionscomments
Don’t Neglect Mental HealthFindings from a recent study indicate that rheumatoid arthritis causes mood disorders. While mood shifts come as no surprise because we are...reactions7comments
Giving Your Loved One a Cold is a Gift You Wish You Could Take BackOh man, now I really feel bad. My husband had to stay home from work today...sick. He’s finally caught whatever crummy bug...reactions2comments
Advice from A Sexual Counselor For Chronic PatientsIn November, I attended a session entitled Sexual Issues in Rheumatology: Assessment and Intervention at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting...reactionscomments
Free To BeI have a tendency to overdo things. A perfectionist and “type A” personality, I hold myself to very high standards. My worldview...reactionscomments
Assistive DevicesI’m amazed when I stop and think about how many “assistive devices” I now have in my life. I’m not talking about...reactions6comments
Not So Bad After AllPerhaps it’s the change to colder weather, but I have not been feeling well. My joints are generally achier and I’m experiencing...reactionscomments
Did RA Fatigue Kill My Relationship?Fatigue is one of the most difficult RA symptoms to treat, and over the last year and a half, it has been...reactions19comments
Beginning AgainLike a lot of people, I don’t have much regard for New Year’s resolutions. Why, I always wonder, should I make myself...reactionscomments