Educating People Is Exhausting...I am a firm believer in teachable moments, and helping people understand the ins and outs of rheumatoid arthritis. But lately, I’m frustrated. I’m feeling really sick and tired of...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
In sickness and in health...I married Christy, my partner of 15 years, in April of this year. It was an incredible time in our relationship and meant the world to both of us to...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Protect Your Skin from Photosensitive Reactions...This summer has been glorious; not too hot and less humid than usual. Rob and I have spent more time outside this summer than we have in the past few...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
From methotrexate to arava...My doctor and I finally threw in the towel on methotrexate. I've been on it for 12 weeks and at most it gives me relief for three days out of...Reactions0reactionsComments3 repliesTreatment
Switching RA Medicines – Don’t Wait Too Long or Try Too Many...I’ve been on 7 - count them - 7 different biologic medicines since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I started with several anti-TNF biologics and then moved to several others...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
New Study Brings Hope: Scientists Discover How to “Switch Off” Autoimmune Diseases...The beginning of September has brought with it some very exciting news for those of us living with rheumatoid arthritis! Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the fight against...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
I have what now?...I’ve always been a busy girl, someone who takes on a bunch of things at once because we only have one life on this Earth and I’m determined to make...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
Ready, Set, Jab!...Man developed survival instincts for a reason, and stabbing yourself with a needle runs counter to all of them. A few months after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Mad At Myself...I was diagnosed with RA when I was 20, a year after I had my daughter. I woke up one morning and felt like I was hit by a truck...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Newly Diagnosed and taking Methotrexate...Hi, I'm a 42 year old woman newly diagnosed and taking Methotrexate. I am on my 6th week of the drug... 4th week at full strength. I have noticed that...Reactions0reactionsComments3 repliesTreatment
bumps or nodules on feet...Does anyone with RA and/or a connective tissue disease have small soft bumps on their feet? They've appeared on both my feet in clusters around the heals in the last...Reactions0reactionsComments2 repliesSymptoms
Off the Spectrum...I never really knew where to place myself on the spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis. When I was a small child, I didn’t know anyone else with RA so I couldn’t...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Thrown into the Deep End: Concerns of a Novice Caregiver...After that painful, sleepless night in the fall of 2006, Lisa finally received a diagnosis. What caused the pain and discomfort in her extremities? It was rheumatoid arthritis. Although the...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Tamara Haag...Tamara was previously a health leader on RheumatoidArthritis.net. Diagnosed with RA in 2000 at the age of 22 (following years of precursors, symptoms and misdiagnoses), Tamara has been balancing the...
Before diagnosis joint issues...When I was young I seemed to always have a joint that hurt. My knees, wrists and ankles seemed to be injured very easily. I was diagnosed with TMJ also...Reactions0reactionsComments4 repliesSymptoms
Flare ups...What are your flare up like? I have what I think are micro-flares. I'll get sudden, sharp, shooting pain in my fingers or toes. I also get aching major joints:...Reactions0reactionsComments7 repliesSymptoms
Time for a biologic?...I was diagnosed with RA a few months ago and have been on methotrexate since with minimal result. My Dr. has broached the subject of Humira a couple of times...Reactions0reactionsComments2 repliesTreatment
Rheumatologist Finally Concurs!...This past Wednesday after much pain and misunderstanding plus misdiagnoses I was told, "we've been treating you for gout and apparently we've been treating you for the wrong thing." The...Reactions0reactionsComments3 repliesNewly Diagnosed
The Importance of Medical Alert Bracelets And RA...I first considered getting a medical alert bracelet when I began teaching undergraduate students. While I knew that they would be able to call 911 if I ever had a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What’s All the Noise About? Joint Sounds and RA...When battling rheumatoid arthritis, staying in one position for long is not feasible as joints become stiff and uncomfortable. After a few minutes the urge to stretch hits. When doing...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
