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.

Remaining Pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

November 26, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 30 Comments Methotrexate, Physician-patient discordance / disagreement, Research on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

A common problem: remaining pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis Remaining pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been a topic on RAW since 2009. We've discussed how people manage the common “leftover” symptoms such pain, fatigue, and stiffness while being treated for rheumatoid disease. Leftover or remaining pain is the subject of an interesting abstract reported at the recent...Continue reading 30 Comments » Read more

Medscape Symposium Reveals Attitudes #Rheum Patients Encounter

November 25, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 20 Comments Physician-patient discordance / disagreement, Talking to doctors

Recently, we looked at a new report showing machines used to perform musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) vary considerably in ability to detect inflammation, and warning about the use of MSUS in treatment decisions when the machines are not yet accuracy rated. We know that Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) predict prognosis in Rheumatoid Disease (RD), but...Continue reading 20 Comments » Read more

What a Wonderful World, and Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen

November 18, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 5 Comments Invisible Illness, Rheumatoid arthritis support

Do these two song titles seem to conflict? The former was one of the first songs I ever put (and kept) on my phone. The latter I learned in second grade because my teacher thought every American must know Spirituals. (Hear Louis Armstrong sing below, and Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen on YouTube.) Guys, cover your ears....Continue reading 5 Comments » Read more

Could Ultrasound Prevent Rheumatology Patients from Receiving Disease Treatments?

November 13, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 12 Comments Measuring rheumatoid disease activity, musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS), Physician-patient discordance / disagreement

This is the 10th in a series on musculoskeletal ultrasound use in people living with Rheumatoid Disease (PRD). This is a critical topic for PRD that could have enormous impact on clinical care – positively or negatively – in light of results from two recent studies. Musculoskeletal ultrasound can help “see” invisible disease activity Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS)...Continue reading 12 Comments » Read more

25 Tips to Stay Well in Cold and Flu Season

November 11, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 21 Comments Preventive Care with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Tips for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

This post is a response to questions about how to navigate cold and flu season with Rheumatoid Disease (RD). Flu shots are now center stage at grocery stores and pharmacies across the US. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), flu season can begin as early as October. There’s plenty of advice about...Continue reading 21 Comments » Read more

PCORI, Is It Worth It to Include Patients?

November 9, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 6 Comments e-patient, Patient advocacy, PCORI

The patients who read this blog are like dear brothers and sisters to me. I’ve met many in person and it’s like a family reunion. The RAW website and blog obviously speak to others as well – lay and professional caregivers, rheumatology industry, and sometimes the larger patient engagement movement. We’re working hard for change...Continue reading 6 Comments » Read more

10 Misconceptions About Chronic Disease Many People Believe

November 8, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 55 Comments Communicating about RA, Invisible Illness, Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness

You can’t understand illness by just looking at a person Very soon after being diagnosed with RA, I learned that most people have beliefs about chronic illness that are hard to overcome. When one neighbor, friend, and family member after another dismissed me, I did the same thing most people with Rheumatoid Disease (PRD) do: I...Continue reading 55 Comments » Read more

We Must Celebrate! Your Voice Was Heard, Despite My Limitations

November 4, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 26 Comments American College of Rheumatology, Communicating about RA, Patient advocacy, Rheumatoid Patient Foundation

Months – actually years – of my life went into the last couple of weeks. It’s a peculiar feeling when it all comes together in a moment. While there are important points to dig into from the annual ACR meeting, we should pause for a moment to reflect on where we are. (A recent Spear...Continue reading 26 Comments » Read more

Inside Story of a Young Person Living with Juvenile Rheumatoid

November 1, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 52 Comments Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Talking to doctors

Today’s blog is my response to an email from a reader about an appointment with her daughter’s rheumatologist. This family travels for hours to see an expert pediatric doctor in one of the best hospitals in the country. Hi Kelly! I guess when they say all good things must come to an end, IT'S TRUE :( I can't...Continue reading 52 Comments » Read more

Triple Therapy / Combination Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

October 29, 2013May 17, 2018 Kelly Young 5 Comments Biologics for RA, Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis In the past few decades, Rheumatoid Arthritis has been treated with therapies designed for other diseases. It was not always clear how these drugs treated Rheumatoid Arthritis / Rheumatoid Disease, but they were found to reduce immune activity in various ways. Because researchers recognized certain drugs could slow or modify progression of...Continue reading 5 Comments » Read more

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treat to Target

October 27, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 2 Comments Measuring rheumatoid disease activity, Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, Talking to doctors

The treat to target (T2T) approach involves defining a treatment goal or “target” and modifying the therapy if the target is not reached. Treating to a target of remission or low disease activity Treat to target (T2T) is an approach to treating Rheumatoid Arthritis / Rheumatoid Disease (RD) that combines aggressive or intensive treatment with disease modifying...Continue reading 2 Comments » Read more

Sleepless in San Diego

October 25, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 12 Comments American College of Rheumatology, Living with chronic illness like RA, Patient advocacy

Each fall, Katie Beth and I travel to wherever the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) holds its annual scientific meeting. Last night, we arrived in San Diego. 1) This is huge. The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) is presenting an exhibit in the Exhibit Hall. 2) I’m speaking with two other RPF volunteers in a session on Tuesday...Continue reading 12 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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