Smile. Science has shown that the mere act of smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system and possibly even prolong your life. So sit back, find a comedy on netflix, call your best friend who can always make you laugh, google “dad jokes”, or make a game out of smiling at random strangers on the street, just to see if they’ll smile back. It works!
Category: A Day in the Life of Rheumatoid Arthritis
A series on what it’s like to live with Rheumatoid Arthritis
The things that make me go ouch
I recently started thinking about some of the factors that contribute to my Rheumatoid Arthritis flares so wanted to share a list. What am I missing? What leads to your most intense flares?
What Arthritis Pain Feels Like
In October 2015, I had the opportunity to contribute to an article titled "What Arthritis Pain Feels Like" for EveryDayHEALTH . I just recently looked back at some of the things I shared in that piece and unfortunately, not much has changed. Here's an excerpt. Rheumatoid arthritis can be like the old “box of chocolates” adage … Continue reading What Arthritis Pain Feels Like
Honestly Rheumatoid Arthritis
In 2016, Sanofi and Regeneron conducted a survey of 1,000 Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in the US, with hopes of getting a better understanding of patient needs. The survey, titled Honestly RA, resulted in data that can help others understand what those of us with RA are feeling. While I'm typically skeptical of pharma backed initiatives like … Continue reading Honestly Rheumatoid Arthritis
Help, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I CAN’T SLEEP!!!
Does anyone else with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have trouble sleeping? The crazy thing is, it's not the pain that keeps me up at night. At least I don't think it is the pain, or perhaps I'm partially immune to the pain after 12 years of living with RA. Could it be side effects from my … Continue reading Help, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I CAN’T SLEEP!!!
Lots of Changes, but I still have RA
I just realized it had been almost a year since I've sat down to write a post. A year? Seriously? Where does time go? Since my last post, I moved to Austin, Texas. It's almost as weird to type right now as it is to recite my new address over the phone to the mail-in pharmacy. … Continue reading Lots of Changes, but I still have RA
Just Arthritis – NOT
Just Arthritis - NOT.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fatigue
It's no secret that catching major Z's can be virtually impossible when you have RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), especially when your disease is flaring. Whatever the reason for not being able to sleep; pain, stress, anger, all of the above; sleep is so important for your overall health. In fact, insomnia can further damage an already … Continue reading Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fatigue
Enthesitis Related Arthritis (ERA)
Thanks for this educational blog from Warm Socks about ERA.
Enthesitis Related Arthritis is a form of arthritis that begins in people under 16 years of age. Although it is more commonly diagnosed in boys, girls can also have ERA. Onset is usually between the ages of 9-12.
ERA is also sometimes simply called enthesitis. If a child has been diagnosed with enthesitis by a pediatric rheumatologist and requires long-term follow-up, verify with the doctor that the full name of the disease is ERA aka enthesitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Not only is enthesitis one of the forms of JIA, but it is also part of a group of diseases called spondyloarthropathies.
This type of arthritis is significantly different from osteoarthritis, which is the type of arthritis typically seen in older people and athletes. In osteoarthritis (OA), the cartilage cushion at the joint between two bones wears away. Bone-on-bone is extremely painful. With OA, tylenol…
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What keeps me writing?… YOU do
Too often, I get lost in my everyday routine... work, friends, family; LIFE so much so that I simply forget to write or writing just keeps moving to the bottom of my priority list. This is especially true when my RA is under control. But lately, my RA has been again flaring and so thoughtfully … Continue reading What keeps me writing?… YOU do
Chronic Mum 