Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior | Page 14 of 68 | Information & encouragement to fight RA

Same, Same But Different

Symptoms are like snowflakes: the same, but different. We see patterns in Rheumatoid disease and say, “See, I’m not alone.” Yet, we also see that no two people are exactly alike because of what I call the immune fingerprint. Explore both our similarities and our differences with eighteen newly added RA onset stories! Your stories of how...Continue reading      5 Comments » Read more

An Event Especially for Gathering Encouragement

You’re not alone If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, “You’re not alone” with this disease. So many of us share experiences. And yet, we hear frequently about the loneliness that Rheumatoid disease creates. Community is a tremendous remedy and it’s what brings many warriors here time after time. Hearing “you’re not...Continue reading      15 Comments » Read more

Hang 10: Is the Jury Still Out on Rheumatoid Arthritis Feet?

This is part 2 of a series on RA feet. Yesterday, I conveyed my skepticism about failing to “count” Rheumatoid Arthritis forefeet when measuring disease activity. “Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience debilitating foot pain and deformity, which in turn contributes to the substantial physical disability well-documented in this population. More than 70% of all individuals...Continue reading      29 Comments » Read more

Forefeet and the DAS28: a Healthy Dose of Skepticism

Study concludes forefoot (toe) joints unnecessary to determine disease activity. “Forefoot joints were frequently affected on an individual level, but did not significantly improve the measurement range or precision of 28-joint counts in patients with early RA. From a measurement perspective, reduced joint counts are appropriate for use on a population level. The contribution of assessing...Continue reading      29 Comments » Read more

Anyone Else Lose Time Thanks to Rheumatoid Disease?

I lost another week. Anyone know where I put it? Seems like the left side of my cervical spine had an inflammation party this week. I ended up with some swelling that pinched the nerve going down the back of my arm and pushed a rib out near my shoulder blade. The orthopedic doc figures it...Continue reading      8 Comments » Read more

What Drives Patients to Get Engaged in Healthcare?

Did you ever forget what you were about to say? Last year when I testified at an FDA advisory hearing, I couldn’t even remember my name. I swear I could feel my heart leaping six inches in front of me. It was unexpected because I’d recited my five-minute speech dozens of times from memory. How...Continue reading      15 Comments » Read more

When Our Strength Works Against Us

Last month, I called your attention to an article that truthfully presented the reality of Rheumatoid Disease, asking you to thank the site – and many of you commented there. One exchange reminded me of many I’ve seen over the years. Carly made a tricky point that seems like a catch-22 (no-win situation). Norma’s response...Continue reading      44 Comments » Read more

How Do You Keep the Disease from Taking Over?

Last month, I wrote about the Pursuit of Happyness, with Rheumatoid disease – I love how Chris Gardner (Will Smith) sincerely perseveres through increasing adversities until he reaches the part of his life called “happiness.” How do you pursue your life and your goals when Rheumatoid disease just doesn’t play fair? It can be relentless....Continue reading      68 Comments » Read more

How Many People Have Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Counting how many people have Rheumatoid Arthritis (UPDATED) Do we know for sure actually how many people have rheumatoid arthritis? How many are being treated for RA in the U.S.? Or how likely a person is to be diagnosed with RA in his or her lifetime? Not really. Apparently, it’s a slippery target. In 2009, Gabriel and Michaud indicated that “a...Continue reading      12 Comments » Read more

Where the Rubber Meets the Road or What If Only the Cancer in Dave’s Kidneys Was Treated?

Measuring disease activity: where rubber meets the road Recently a rheumatologist friend told me of needing to prove ACR20 (a measure of 20 percent improvement) in order for a patient to continue receiving a biologic treatment. I don’t know whether it was private or government insurance, but something bothered me about it. Of course, 20 percent improvement...Continue reading      21 Comments » Read more
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