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... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments8 comments
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... By Nan Hart3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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... By Angela Lundberg4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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... By Rob3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Community Thoughts: Handling RA Stiffness in the MorningsColder weather can hit with full force - and mornings, especially winter mornings, can be a challenge for many people with rheumatoid arthritis. So we asked our Facebook community: What tips do... By Stephanie Huston3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
HurdlesWhen I was a little girl, I hated getting shots. Annual vaccinations for school were bad enough but when you were sick and had to go to the doctor, it... By Carla Kienast2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Less Need for Assistive DevicesHopeful news from a study reports that modern treatments work to minimize the need for assistive devices (like jar openers, long-handled reachers, raised toilet seats, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and others)... By Kelly Mack2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Evaluating the Doctor’s Office: Who Do You Talk To About Laboratory Results?Earlier this week I was meeting a new rheumatologist to possibly replace my doctor who has retired. Ahead of time I picked a few questions to help determine if we might... By Lisa Emrich3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Phantom FeversPeriodically and unexpectedly, I come down with fevers. Sometimes they come with other symptoms like coughing, congestion, or headaches. But more often, they arrive and depart mysteriously. Over the years... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments67 comments
Pain DiscriminationA recent article in TheNew York Times took me by surprise the other day: "Minorities Get Less Pain Treatment in E.R." Although, sadly, maybe I shouldn't be that surprised by it?... By Angela Lundberg2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Taking ChargeI read and write about these things frequently: I even nag, cajole, and encourage others, like you, to adopt them into your lifestyle because of the all-around good they can... By Wren5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Day After DayChronic pain is so different from temporary pain. The ephemeral pain that can be brought on by injury or sickness garners a certain level of respect. Used to feeling well... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Hands Off!I’m sitting in my wheelchair, minding my own business, while taking the elevator and BAM! Someone decides I look like furniture and grabs my handlebar or starts to lounge on me... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Do Auto Immune Conditions Target the Go-Getters?I’ve had a nagging thought, a theory really, that only becomes more persistent as I communicate with more and more people with autoimmune conditions. The thought is this: Are people... By Tamara Haag3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments23 comments
How Does RA Impact Quality of Life?What’s life with RA really like? As with many chronic conditions, particularly those considered to be “invisible illnesses”, the full impact an individual’s life can be difficult to assess. While... By 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
When The Holidays Get You Down: It’s The Season Of Giving And I Have Nothing To GiveI can’t get excited about the holidays this year. It all just feels like too much. And ask anyone I know, I am a master gift giver and love bringing... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
The Sweaty Side of DrugsSide effects from medications can sometimes be just as uncomfortable and miserable as the condition for which a person is taking them. It's one of the challenging Catch-22 situations of... By Angela Lundberg7 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments28 comments
What Scares MeWhen I had my first joint replacements, I remember telling a friend that I was worried about the lifespan of my joints. My doctor said that the new joints were... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments