Treating RA Archives | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Newly Diagnosed RA and Afraid

February 26, 2020 Kelly O'Neill 5 Comments Courage & living with RA, Men with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Letters from newly diagnosed RA patients As newly diagnosed RA patients find my website and write me letters, two things happen: 1) My heart is heavy for another life affected by this horrible disease. And, 2) I gather more information to add to the tens of thousands of experiences already shared with me. Of course letters from...Continue reading 5 Comments » Read more

RINVOQ Medication for RA / RD

February 17, 2020 Kelly O'Neill 23 Comments new JAK inhibitors, Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

RINVOQ medication (upadacitinib) The latest treatment that I get to try for rheumatoid disease (RD) is the new RINVOQ medication from AbbVie. RINVOQ is the brand name for the tablet upadacitinib, approved by the FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) last August (2019). During clinical trials it was also called ABT-494, in case you follow new...Continue reading 23 Comments » Read more

Testing the imaware™ RA Test Kit

March 12, 2019October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill Make a Comment Rheumatoid Arthritis test, Tips for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Why I did an RA test kit—when I already know I have RA / RD In the video below, you’ll see me use the imaware™ RA test kit live. This video is my sincere, unrehearsed attempt to show how to use the test kit. I thought it would be easier for people if they felt intimidated about pricking their own...Continue reading Make a Comment » Read more

RA Surgery — 10 Questions Answered

February 18, 2019October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 16 Comments Tips for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

This week I had my second RA surgery, after 13 years of living with severe, unrelenting rheumatoid disease that does not respond to medications other than steroids. I definitely asked my surgeon lots of questions. But, this second time, I knew even better what to expect by what I had learned last time. I hope these Q and A...Continue reading 16 Comments » Read more

Worst Things Doctors Say

April 25, 2017October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 52 Comments Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms, Talking to doctors

Telling my secrets on the worst things doctors say What’s the craziest thing a doctor ever told you? I have rarely discussed some of the worst things doctors say to me because I want RAW to be a positive place. But today, I’ll pull back the curtain and share a few of the worst things doctors...Continue reading 52 Comments » Read more

Opioid Restrictions Versus Patient Needs

March 14, 2017October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 21 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Rheumatoid arthritis pain

The thinking behind recent opioid restrictions There are two sides to arguments behind recent efforts at opioid restrictions in the U.S. However one side has been dominant in the last couple of years. State and federal governments have enacted opioid restrictions in an attempt to reduce misuse of prescription medications. Options for patients with severe pain...Continue reading 21 Comments » Read more

7 Tips for Rheumatoid Arthritis Complications

7 Tips on Rheumatoid Arthritis Complications

January 30, 2017October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 9 Comments Rheumatoid arthritis complications, Tips for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is part 2 of a series on the systemic nature of rheumatoid disease, what’s often called rheumatoid arthritis complications. You can read part 1 here: Systemic Disease with Joint Symptoms. First, Rheumatoid arthritis complications is not quite true Referring to symptoms of a disease as “complications” is usually a distortion of the facts. I’ve explained before...Continue reading 9 Comments » Read more