Nothing More than Feelings: How Doctors Minimize RA Reality
Updated August 30, 2020 Catastrophizing is a popular concept in medicine, particularly when dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic pain. You’ll find endless studies and articles on the concept, described as negative self statements, feelings or coping strategies. For instance, someone saying “this is the worst pain I’ve ever had” or “what if I can’t…
Painless Meme for Rheum mates
Kelly over at RA Warrior came up with a meme about what defines us. Have you done it yet? Here are my answers: What is one thing that defines who you are, regardless of RA? My faith that change is possible. What’s one food you know they must have in heaven? Ris a la mande….
Going to Gondwana
This weekend, we went to see the Ultimate Dinosaurs: Giants from Gondwana exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum. Basic story: big dinosaurs from the southern hemisphere. Really big. We did a herd excursion – somewhat fitting, what with the herds of extinct creatures – piling friends and kids into one group and got set loose…
Catastrophizing and Good Doctoring
I’ve been thinking. And what with being on vacation, there’s actually been mental room to move some ideas around, played connect the dots and whatnot. Settle in, this is a long one… More specifically, I’ve been thinking about catastrophizing. This is a concept discussed in the field of rheumatology. The concept states that people who…
First Nations Procession
I live in old town Toronto, the part of the city that holds the first city hall, just down the street from the first parliament site. And there’s been a vbunch of celebrations and events related to the bicentennial of the War of 1812. That’s the one where we kicked the Americans’ butt and burned…
Opening Up
This is why I’m five days into a very necessary two weeks off. Actually, it was worse than that. It was the eyes going *boing* the minute I turned off the light, but no actual ideas coming, because my brain was moving so fast with everything I had done that day and needed to do…
The Fibro Fairytale
Scene 1: I’ll be going to a meeting where it’s a good idea to look reasonably professional. I’m wearing my fancy new camisole under a sweater, looking as if I’ve actually planned what to wear (I work from home – looking put together is rare). I say goodbye to my attendant and start my breakfast…
Real RA: Thinking Makes It So
Some time ago, I saw an image on Facebook about RA. Thanks to my fibro fog, I no longer remember who shared it in which group, but even if I did, I wouldn’t disclose it. Because I am about to vehemently disagree and there’s no need to get flame-y. This is the image And I…
