Would You Like Something with that RA, Ma'am?You’d think all the problems that rheumatoid arthritiscauses—the pain, disability, fatigue, fevers, and that general, all-around cruddy feeling—would be enough. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. It turns out there’s a whole...Reactions0reactionsComments22 comments
Onset of RA in the UKShortly after the new millennium began I set off to study abroad at the University of Oxford in England. I was a 22 year old college senior, and the world...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3“Well, your tests look good.” I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this, but if I were to take a guess I’d start by multiplying the 14 years since...Reactions0reactionsComments61 comments
Rituxan - Our Other RA CaregiverIt’s been eight years now since Lisa was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and in that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to provide her care and support...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Morning MiseryI am not a morning person. I pretty much hate mornings, actually. Even before I had RA, I was always happier and more comfortable being a "Night Owl" and getting...Reactions0reactionsComments62 comments
Doctor Knows Best . . . or Does He?We all know that, as with all professions, doctors are not created equal. Ranging from excellent to mediocre to having their medical licenses revoked, physicians all bring different levels of...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Why Are RA Drugs So Expensive?A recent report noted that prescription drug prices rose 13 percent last year. Most of the increase in costs is attributed to specialty drugs designed to treat chronic conditions.Rheumatoid arthritis...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Vitamin D: The Sunshine Hormone and RAToday is a glorious, sunny day. Sure, it’s still cold. Brrrrrrrr. But more than one living creature in our household is finding treasured sunny spots in which to lie and...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
A Hoarse of a Different ColorAbout 3 years ago, my voice started getting hoarse now and then. I’d be talking to someone, just minding my own beeswax and boom — suddenly, I was croaking. It...Reactions0reactionsComments45 comments
The Pregnancy DecisionI have always loved children. When I was a child myself I carried around baby dolls and stuffed animals swaddled in blankets. At the age of eight years old, I...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Second-Guessing My Symptoms and MyselfJust as my condition fluctuates, so does my self-perception. There are days when I am achy, and I want only to rest. Often on days like that I second-guess myself...Reactions0reactionsComments38 comments
How To Try A New Medication In 100 Easy Steps! (Because If We Don’t Laugh, We’ll Cry)Ready to try a new medication? Just follow these 100 easy steps and you’ll be giving it a try it in no time! (Since this is only a slight exaggeration...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Pregnancy and the Remission ExpectationI did not make the decision to become pregnant lightly. My husband and I knew that we both wanted kids, and agreed on this common goal before getting engaged. The...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Clinical Trial ParticipationEvery clinical trial is designed to look at a specific population, so each participant is required to have certain traits (eligibility criteria) in order to take part in the study...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why Do I Feel So Rotten? Sickness Symptoms from RAIt’s been a rough few months with an increase in fatigue, a noticeable lack of energy, difficulty sleeping soundly, and low motivation levels. It just feels like I’m sick all...Reactions0reactionsComments39 comments
How to Stick OutEven as a young child I remember that I couldn’t pass in public. What I mean is that I always stuck out, no matter how I tried, because people could...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
The Human EggshellWhen I’m in a flare, every subtle sensation on my body can be agonizing. This is hard enough to contend with when I’m by myself, in those moments when the...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Two Years and CountingI recently passed the two-year mark in recovering from left knee replacement revision surgery following an infected prosthesis. After 20 years my left knee replacement had developed an infection, which...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treating RA – Possibilities and LimitationsIn a recent edition of the Mirror, a gossipy newspaper in the United Kingdom, the headline read “Arthritis miracle cure: Tiny electrical implant brings hope to millions of rheumatoid arthritis...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
What’s It Worth?: The Pros and Cons of MethotrexateWe are living in an age of ever-increasing medical options. While it is wonderful to have options, the process of finding which medicine regimen works best can be daunting, and...Reactions0reactionsComments23 comments