Stories

One thing I wish I had back 17 years ago when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis was more resources. Informational pamphlets at a doctor’s office or magazines that featured...

I remember purchasing my very first brace after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Disease (RD). It was for my right wrist. My wrist began to hurt in a way that demanded...

I was diagnosed with RA in 1952. I am 72 years old. In June 2020 I had a near-fatal heart attack. A widow maker they call it. I immediately went...

I'm 69 years old and had joint and disc disease for years now. With RA I can't get up off the floor if I fall or down there for some...

I am 72 years old. I have had RA since my son was born 42 years ago. It started quickly. I woke up one morning with nearly every joint in...

I have had six infusions and haven't had any relief so the doctor did more intense blood work to look for a solution. And a different way of treatment. More...

(Not my usual positive can-do article. Angry and sad instead). We’ve been friends for 52 years! Fran (age 87) and her husband (deceased) were my English professors and our friendship...

I have raised my grandson since he was 2 or 3 weeks old. We danced, wrestled, played, ran, climbed, swung, slid, etc. Then about 8 years ago I was diagnosed...

Back in the "before" when I was still working, I was always time aware; never late for meetings, and got everything done for the day. I was, like everyone else...

Hi all, I don't remember when my last update was. Sometime after my trip and assessment of my hip at Mount Sinai, Toronto on September 10th. Well, for a while...

I will start out this Christmas blissfully alone (only another introvert can truly understand this). :-) No frantic attempts at cooking. (Not a good cook!). No waiting anxiously to see...

I just was diagnosed three weeks ago. Before being diagnosed I had terrible flare-ups, mostly in my hands. I never experienced pain like that before. I’m pretty healthy and exercise...

Hello, I also deal with fibromyalgia and degenerative disc disease among other diagnoses in my spine. I feel like I have a "stew pot" of pain, unable to determine where...

I have been living with OA for over 20 years. I've had 11 surgeries and both hips were replaced and now have RA. The RA is something new and more...

I have a very private secret place that I go to whenever I’m overwhelmed, feeling powerless, and pissed off. No one but me can go there and no one else...

I have had RA for over 35 years. It took many doctor visits to finally get told what I have. Many visits came out with bags of pills to try...

I have been diagnosed with RA since 2015 I just had swelling on the fingers and morning stiffness in the hands, other than that I had no symptoms. The doc...

While I have minimal control over my RA, I do have the choice of changing the way I think and feel about my present life. So I’ve chosen Letting Go...

Since being diagnosed with RA about 8 years ago it has been a journey. There have been times I've screamed in pain and cried all day long and it has...

I have had RA and osteoarthritis for 21 years. Over the years have had several surgeries on feet, hand, and now my knee is bone on bone. I've been getting...