RA Public Service Announcement Video

March 22, 2019 Kelly Young 1

A video RA Public Service Announcement explains that rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease, with arthritis as just one symptom. #rheum

Treating RA

Testing the imaware™ RA Test Kit

March 12, 2019 Kelly Young 0

Video of RA Warrior Kelly O’Neill doing an imaware™ RA test kit, giving tips and advice to make the process easier. Kelly reads the report of her results.

Communication and Inspiration

Possible Rheumatoid Arthritis

March 6, 2019 Kelly Young 3

Identifying possible rheumatoid arthritis is one step in a new quest to stop rheumatoid disease from becoming full-blown. Part 2 of RA Runs in Families.

RA Research, Resources, and Rheumatology

RA Runs in Families

February 28, 2019 Kelly Young 14

Evidence that RA runs in families and discussion of family risk of rheumatoid disease and imaware™ at-home RA test to screen for RA.

Treating RA

RA Surgery — 10 Questions Answered

February 18, 2019 Kelly Young 15

Discussion of RA surgery and questions related to surgery in people with rheumatoid disease, including continuation of medications.

RA Research, Resources, and Rheumatology

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Hazy

January 31, 2019 Kelly Young 14

Discussion of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and the criteria for diagnosis of rheumatoid disease. Study shows seronegative disease is as severe.

Helping the Healthcare World Understand Rheumatoid Disease

November 9, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 23 Comments American College of Rheumatology, Patient advocacy, Rheumatoid Patient Foundation

The “don’t-miss-the-plane” rush is on. My suitcase is half packed. I have a fever and I’m not washing my hair today because my wrist can’t muster it. Yet, I’m going to get on that plane to D.C.! Why all this bother? I’ve received messages from thousands of precious people telling their stories and how this website...Continue reading 23 Comments » Read more

Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Approved by US FDA: Pfizer’s Xeljanz Pill (Tofacitinib)

November 7, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 35 Comments Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, XELJANZ-tofacitinib-JAK

For over two and a half years, we’ve followed Pfizer’s tofacitinib through clinical trials for FDA approval. Today, the U.S. FDA approved the new drug that will be called Xeljanz. Click here to read the full Pfizer press release for Xeljanz. The first JAK for Rheumatoid Arthritis approved: “Xeljanz” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced...Continue reading 35 Comments » Read more

Pfizer’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Pill Approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

November 7, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 7 Comments Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, XELJANZ-tofacitinib-JAK

Note: Click here to read more about Xeljanz, the first new oral medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis in 10 years, and a short list of questions and answers for patients. Sign up for regular blog updates by email to watch for more updates on this new treatment and others. Pfizer press release about Xeljanz NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pfizer...Continue reading 7 Comments » Read more

Groceries, Guilt, and Feeling Old from Rheumatoid Disease

November 5, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 70 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Rheumatoid arthritis disability

At our family get-togethers, people tell jokes about how we’ll always be “Young.” I stopped telling those jokes a few years ago. And I think I just figured out why. Rheumatoid disease makes me feel old. It’s not the wrinkled brow from unspoken pain. Or the pale spotty skin in place of my former perpetual tan. Or...Continue reading 70 Comments » Read more

Surgery, Stories, and Feet amid Stubborn Rheumatoid Disease

November 2, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 33 Comments Courage & living with RA, Profiles in courage with RA

One thing I wish every day is that everyone in the world could read the priceless emails from other warriors I receive every day. If everyone treating or researching this disease could read them, comprehension of the disease and care for it would improve. Family members could have greater understanding. Employers and friends could begin...Continue reading 33 Comments » Read more

PCORI – Creating a Culture for Patient-Centered Research

October 29, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 11 Comments Patient advocacy, Patient reported outcome measure, PCORI

Note! For more snapshots including the posters summarizing the PCORI workshop - click here. This weekend I attended a PCORI workshop called Transforming Patient-Centered Research: Building Partnerships and Promising Models. I’ve watched some PCORI meetings in the past since they use live stream webcasts to provide transparency. Here are some of my impressions regarding the weekend...Continue reading 11 Comments » Read more

Invisible Illness Awareness Video

October 29, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 6 Comments Invisible Illness, Patient advocacy, Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness, Video or podcast

Positively Real: Keeping the Discussion Real without Sugar Coating Everyone with an “invisible illness” owes such a debt to Lisa Copen, founder of Invisible Illness Awareness Week. She has done so much to provide support to people with “invisible illnesses” like Rheumatoid disease. I don’t know if she coined that term, but she certainly popularized it. This...Continue reading 6 Comments » Read more

Red Feet, Frankenstorm, Unexpected Sympathy, and Travel to PCORI Workshop

October 27, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 5 Comments e-patient, Patient advocacy, Patient reported outcome measure, PCORI

Tiger and I left home for the PCORI conference today in D.C. in spite of the fact that many in the D.C. are evacuating from the area! Schools were closed on the Space Coast due to Hurricane Sandy, dubbed #Frankenstorm. In Florida, Sandy wasn’t as big a deal as the half a dozen other hurricanes we’ve...Continue reading 5 Comments » Read more

New England Compounding Center and Beyond: Medications Warnings and Dangers

October 25, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 8 Comments Methotrexate, Rheumatoid Arthritis spine

When there are warnings of dangers related to medication, there is greater risk to chronic disease patients for two reasons: First, we may be more likely to use the drugs in question. And second, we are more vulnerable because we have a systemic illness. Several news reports over the past few weeks are especially relevant...Continue reading 8 Comments » Read more

Mascara, Antibodies, and Soup: All I Know about a Disease

October 23, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 39 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Patience & living with RA, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

I always thought living off fresh smoothies and homemade soup along with regular exercise would keep me strong. And surely working hard and caring for others makes one too busy for chronic illness. All I know is that I woke up one morning and my toes were pointing out in odd directions because the joints were...Continue reading 39 Comments » Read more

Win a Pentax Camera! While You Spread RA / RD Awareness!

October 20, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 1 Comment Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness, Rheumatoid Patient Foundation

The PRIZES! FIRST Prize: Pentax Optio RS1500 Digital Camera 2 SECOND prizes: one of 2 $25 iTunes Gift Cards The CONTEST! What’s the contest about? For years, people who live with Rheumatoid Disease (PRD) have suffered because of confusion that RA is just a type of arthritis. Extremely low research dollars for RA Need for accommodations in employment situations Lack of understanding...Continue reading 1 Comment » Read more

We’re Warriors So Fighting On Is Just What We Do

October 19, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 14 Comments e-patient, Patient advocacy, PCORI, Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness, Rheumatoid Patient Foundation

August. We were exhausted and happy after a successful exhibit at the Rheumatology Nurses Society annual meeting. Five minutes later, I realized I was still buried in Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) projects preparations for the RPF’s next exhibit at the American College of Rheumatology Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. in November. And, then the hard drive...Continue reading 14 Comments » Read more

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Thanks for visiting this unique site full of information and encouragement to fight Rheumatoid Disease. You'll find hope, humor, and a helpful online community. I'm Kelly & I'll be glad to show you around if you'll click right here.

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