“Mean Mommy”...When I was a nanny in college, I vowed that when the day came when I had kids of my own, I would be a fun mom. I would be...reactions2comments
How Do We Comfort Our Healthcare Providers?...At my last rheumatologist appointment, I had a somewhat bizarre experience. When my doctor orders labs, one of the nurses comes in and does them right there in the same...reactions2comments
How slow can you go?...I have learned through the years of association and friendship with others with Rheumatoid Arthritis that many of us were used to living in the "fast lane" pre-RA. By that...reactionscomments
What are your symptoms?...hey everyone! I'm a 23 year old girl with RA since age 17. Symptoms have gotten way worse and I wanted to share all of mine to see if anyone...reactions1replySymptoms
Foods...what specific foods are good for RA? I expierence severe swelling and pain, anything to take down swelling...reactions5repliesDiet & Nutrition
The show that never ends...‘Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends’ (Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Karn Evil 9 #2) I love this lyric. Because it reminds me of chronic disease...reactions2comments
Long Road to Recovery...I was diagnosed 5 years ago with R/A. I live in Iowa and see a doctor at PCI clinic. They started me on methotrexate, that's all I could afford with...reactions1comment
It may have taken years but I am coming back!...When women with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) get pregnant, their RA goes into remission. At least that’s what my doctor told my husband, Robert, and me when we went in to...reactions3comments
Why Wasn’t I Chosen for a Clinical Trial?...In any clinical trial, participants must meet certain criteria to be eligible to participate. There are two commonly used terms when describing clinical trial eligibility, and those are “inclusion criteria”...reactionscomments
Eating the Elephant...Rheumatoid disease (arthritis) is sometimes overwhelming. The frequent pain, fatigue, niggling low-grade fevers, and feeling ill and foggy are a lot for anyone to cope with. Add it to all...reactions11comments
To Exercise, or Not to Exercise...Every morning I wake up and dread the first movements of the day. I hate waking up and I’m the worst at it (just ask my amazingly-patient husband). I don’t...reactions6comments
You know you have a chronic illness when:...1. The people at your regular chemist remember your name. So they should, you visit them frequently. If, by chance, you have to visit a different chemist to fill a...reactions4comments
Attention Please!...I'm new here and I've felt a kinship from reading everyone's posts! I'm the only one in my family who has RA, and it seems the only one who knows...reactions3comments
Is this really happening...I'm a 20yr old diagnosed with RA beginning of this year. I was always sick with something when I was at college never thought much of it. But when you...reactions1comment
Wake Up Reminder...I received shocking news recently that I'm still trying to digest and accept. A family friend--a 61 year-old wife, mother, and grandmother--was found lying dead on her kitchen floor. When...reactions1comment
Chin up - toughen it out, but with balance!...Hello. I am new at posting here, but been lurking for a while. Just figured I'd share some of my story. I'm 28, most likely had RA since I was...reactions1comment
Weightlifting...I am not a bodybuilder, but I have been weightlifting since 1990. RA has interfered with this pursuit, since my hands hurt my hands and shoulders hurt. Hopefully, I will...reactions21repliesExercise
Holidays on Ice...The summer after I completed my master’s degree, I decided to celebrate by seeing the world and improving my Spanish via a couple of months spent in South America. Planning...reactionscomments
Enbrel...I was diagnosed with RA in 1991. When Enbrel received its' FDA approval I was one of the first patients in CA to receive the medication. Not only did it...reactions14repliesTreatment
Diet & RA...Hi all, I'm new here. I'm 32 and was just diagnosed with RA 2 weeks ago! So far I haven't tried any medications because my rheumatologist is having me try...reactions4replies
