Learning to Speak RA...When you’re diagnosed with RA you become a member of an exclusive club. To quote the iconic comic, Groucho Marx (and others...reactions1comment
I Am Enough...Every once in a while I come across a string of words that rocks me to my core. A few months ago...reactions28comments
The Need for Better Diagnostic and Individualized Tests for RA...There are several blood tests that rheumatologists currently use to diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an...reactions5comments
Weasel Words...I believe the two most disheartening words you can hear from a doctor are “chronic pain.” As in “You have chronic pain.”...reactions16comments
RA Medicine Treatment Primer...For those who have only been recently diagnosed with RA, the treatment options can be overwhelming. There are Biologics, DMARDs, NSAIDs, steroids...reactionscomments
Early Morning Exercise for the Late Nighter...Exercise, as tolerated, and sufficient sleep and rest, are integral parts of rheumatoid arthritis management. Both in combination can elevate mood (depression...reactions2comments
What Scares Me...When I had my first joint replacements, I remember telling a friend that I was worried about the lifespan of my joints...reactions3comments
Mamas Facing Forward – A Community to Help Mamas Facing Chronic Illnesses Move Forward...I’m only four years into my experience as a mom, but even in that short amount of time I can make this...reactionscomments
Dreamland: RA & The Opiate Epidemic...I just finished a fascinating book about the "opioid epidemic" our country is currently embroiled in: "Dreamland: The True Tale of America's...reactions8comments
What's in a Name?...I don’t use the common name of the disease I’ve had for almost three decades. Instead, I call it rheumatoid disease, and...reactions8comments
Pregnancy & Parenting With Arthritis – An Interview with Laurie Proulx...At the age of fourteen, Laurie Proulx first started showing signs of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (which is now called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis)...reactionscomments
RA in the Workplace...Having a fulfilling and rewarding job is important to most people. In fact, our work helps to define who we are and...
Surgeries and Rheumatoid Arthritis...Many of you have had surgeries. Some of you have had surgeries since the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Then, there are those...reactions2comments
RA and Health Insurance...The issue of health insurance is an important one for anyone with RA. Obtaining health insurance that includes hospitalization, major medical coverage...
So why biologics if joint disease still persists?...I'm 67... I was diagnosed at 53 with seronegative RA... By then, I already had 1 knee replacement... Now I can say...reactions2comments
Rheumatic Conditions Quiz: Test Your Knowledge...What is a rheumatic disease? A rheumatic disease is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack...reactions10comments
Habit Forming...I've written quite a few articles on my attempts at spontaneity and changes in habits. I appreciate routine and its benefits for...reactions2comments
Describing the Worst Days with Chronic Pain...In September of 2019, Health Union (the parent company of RheumatoidArthritis.net) partnered with the US Pain Foundation for our first ever Chronic...reactions2comments
The Most Important Relationship is.........with ourselves. During the time of the year where everyone focuses on their relationships with other people or frantically tries to find...reactions13comments
Remission: Real or Wishful Thinking?...The concept of remission was not even on my radar during the first year or so after being diagnosed with RA. My physician...reactions5comments
