Just Diagnosed (finally)...Thanks to some of the advice from this website, I finally got the strength to find a new rheumatologist. She hardly had to examine me before she knew for certain...reactions1replyNewly Diagnosed
Community Thoughts: How Much Do I Share About RA?...Inspired by writer Kelly Mack's questions in a recent article:"I struggle with the question: how much do I share about my RA? How much can others handle? How much do...reactions4comments
very tender skin...Hi - apologies if this has been covered - I can't find a topic that describes this. ( I have a fairly recent diagnosis of RA - symptoms that slowly...reactions6repliesSymptoms
Seminal Moments...We’ve all had those seminal moments – instances where everything after that point changes. Maybe it was that moment when you knew you wanted to get married – or divorced...reactions1comment
I Can Do This!: RA Affirmations...We all know the little blue engine that pulled the train up the mountain by saying to itself, “I think I can. I think I can.” It turns out that...reactions4comments
The Words We Use...What’s your first thought when someone tells you they’re sick? What if they say they’re chronically ill? I ask this because describing such things to others is full of potholes...reactions6comments
What's up Doc?...Among the many ongoing decisions associated with wisely managing Rheumatoid Arthritis, arguably the most crucial one is who to turn to for treatment. First you must decide which medical professional...reactionscomments
Can't Keep It I Don't Give In Away...Hello, I am Diane. I was diagnosed with RA 20 years ago. Little did I know then the battles I would fight; the ones I would win and the ones...reactions1comment
The Hows and Whys...I’m a regular user of Twitter--I love being able to talk to other people who share my interests or, in particular, people like me who cope daily with chronic illness...reactions2comments
When I Get That Feeling I Want... Arthritis Healing...The stage was set for a romantic evening. The kids were spending the night at grandma’s. The house was blissfully empty and quiet, with the whole evening ahead of us...reactions6comments
Finding the right balance...One of the many challenges we face as we move through the years managing a chronic disease like RA, is finding the balance between being vigilant about our health and...reactions1comment
Mommy, My Knee Hurts...Growing up, I learned early on that some families are plagued with health problems. When I was five years old my sister was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, and our...reactions2comments
Understanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)...If you – or someone you love – live with a chronic illness, you may eventually need to take time off from your job to focus on a health issue...reactions2comments
I felt defeated but I know this setback will help me in the end...My RA recently took a turn for the worse in my knee, but I am still fine. The only real impact is that I can no longer walk very far...reactions3comments
RA and my Religion...If you would have asked just three short years ago if my RA got in the way of me practicing my religion I would have said no. But in the...reactions1comment
I Know I'm Young...I was originally diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 12 years old. Approximately 9 years later, I was diagnosed with RA. When the symptoms first began, we were almost positive...reactions1comment
Walt's story, my successful battle with rheumatoid arthritis!...Hi I'm Walt Merrill. Do you suffer from horrible arthritis joint pain? Me too! I've suffered with my autoimmune disease for 10+ years. Doctors told me, there's no cure for...reactions2comments
Over-scheduled!...A Greek food festival. A chili cook-off. A professional soccer game. A play with friends. A movie in the park. A trip to California. A weekend getaway with my husband...reactions7comments
Smashing Barriers...When I graduated from college, I got a job in Washington, DC, and moved there with a friend. We took a day trip from the campus and visited a lot...reactionscomments
Mind Reader...Here’s a thing: expecting others to know we’re in pain if we don’t tell them. Here’s another: feeling frustrated or angry with them because they don’t. How can they know...reactions5comments