Skin Issues Associated with RAAbout the time I first ventured into a rheumatology clinic after being referred by my general practitioner, I had been battling a nasty case of hives for the previous year... By Andrew Lumpe, PhD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Apparently Only Old People Get SickAfter a long day at work, I got on the bus recently and took a seat at the front of the bus. Several other people got on after me and... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Seronegative RA, the Piano Player, and a Delayed DiagnosisBy the time I finally received the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, it was not an unexpected surprise. I had experienced strange symptoms for years. “My hands just don’t feel right,”... By Lisa Emrich3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments12 comments
Changing CourseI was diagnosed with RA in mid-2008. Like many people, my rheumatologist began my treatment plan with methotrexate along with an NSAID and pain relievers. In the six years since... By Carla Kienast2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Summer Travel TipsI have the travel bug. Whenever I have saved enough funds and vacation time, I look for opportunities to travel. Rather than fading with age, the lure of travel beckons... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why I Won’t Be Walking For RAMay is both arthritis and lupus awareness month. But while I’ll be trying to spread awareness behind the scenes, I won’t be participating in walks for either disease. Why? There... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Coping with Disaster at CollegeDuring high school I worked really hard—physically and academically—towards the goal of going to college. My parents encouraged me every step of the way, fully expecting that although I grappled... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Kids Get Arthritis Too! July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month!What do you think comes to mind when most people hear the word arthritis? Do you think the average person picture someone like me – a young mother who has... By Mariah Z. Leach3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Managing Other People’s Perceptions About RAFrom the youngest age I can remember, I knew I was different because people looked at me differently. The cause was my juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I looked sick—often pale, limping... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: The Post-Birth RA FlareThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 32 of my second pregnancy... By Mariah Z. Leach4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Does Not Adhering To Medication Regimens Make You A Bad Patient?For most of us, prescription medications, whether oral, injectable, or intravenous, are key to treating RA. Some of us are lucky enough to find a medication that works, and then... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Do You and Your Doctor Agree on the Severity of Your RA?We’d like to think that medicine is cut and dry and always based upon objective science. We get a blood test, take a drug, and get better. But most diseases... By Andrew Lumpe, PhD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Disease and DisabilitySince I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis for more than 35 years now, I have accumulated a lot of physical damage from this disease. A lot of my joint deformities, contractions and... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
You Know You Have RA When . . .We know that the typical signs and symptoms associated with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include joint stiffness and swelling as well as a number of positive laboratory test... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments11 comments
10 Common RA SymptomsNearly 1,000 people participated in the 2013 Rheumatoid Arthritis in America survey telling us about their initial RA symptoms as well as the most common and frequently experienced symptoms. Learn... By Editorial Team 1 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
The RA Pregnancy Chronicles: RA Friendly Baby GearThe RA Pregnancy Chronicles is a series of posts that share my experiences being pregnant while living with RA. This post was written during Week 18 of my second pregnancy... By Mariah Z. Leach5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Beer Reduces RA Risk for Women?A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology has recently come out claiming that beer can help reduce the risk of women getting rheumatoid arthritis. Really? Beer? This sounds a... By Angela Lundberg3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Another Weather RantI know, I talk about the weather a lot on here, but the truth is, it really impacts my RA in a negative way. I know that there are some... By Leslie Rott2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Release the Hounds!One of my persistent complaints about being a chronic disease patient most of my life is the lack of coordination of my care. Looking back, I think my parents began... By Kelly Mack3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Differences between Rheumatoid Arthritis and OsteoarthritisMay is Arthritis Awareness month and RheumatoidArthritis.Net is joining in the recognition. “Arthritis” is a general term and, according to the American College of Rheumatology, is used for over 100 diseases... By Andrew Lumpe, PhD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
