Feel the BurnDid you know that research indicates that hard workouts can help joints with rheumatoid arthritis to feel better? In fact, new research findings described in Prevention magazine (“Giving Your Joints...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 arthritis (or rheumatoid disease) is, or they have...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 have 3 kids before we turned 30. It...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 of three and a half years, and moving...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 enough to make my living writing for more...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 I could hold the bi-annual toy purge I...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 battling pain, limitations, and sleep deprivation, it is...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 I’ve been dealing with over the past several...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. The session presenters were Doctor Mijal Luria, of...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 is a sea of potential projects, with constant...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 canes, crutches, or walkers (although I own all...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 more stiffness. I think increased exhaustion also brings...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 my most pernicious symptom in dealing with my...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 a bunch of promises that I’ll break long...reactionscomments
Please and thank youI often feel that in today's world we are all so busy and in such a rush to get our point across that we sometimes forget the simple value of...reactionscomments
My Own Best FriendWhen I’m with a friend who makes a disparaging comment about herself, I often respond, “Hey, don’t talk about my friend that way.” I hate to hear people I love...reactions8comments
The good, the bad and the uglyTaking a look at RA from the perspective of the good, the bad and the ugly reveals some interesting insights worth sharing. Let's start with the good. For me the good...reactionscomments
New Year, New BillsJanuary 1st is usually a date that's welcome and met with hope and enthusiasm, a chance for people to meet goals and better their lives in the new year. Not...reactions2comments
If It’s Not One Hip, It’s The OtherI went to Washington, DC over the summer to visit some good friends of mine. I spent one of the days wandering around by myself, checking out many of the...reactions2comments
A Reminder on LimitsAs a care-giver, I feel both happy and fortunate to see my wife responding well to her medication, Rituxan. Over the past six years, Lisa’s Rituxan infusions have brought her...reactionscomments