Why Your RA Doctor Needs to Know About That Annoying Dry Cough—Now
This was one of the most difficult articles I have ever written. The systemic effects of rheumatoid arthritis can be really scary to read about. Interstitial lung disease is one of them. There is a huge temptation to stick your head in the sand, but it’s so important that we don’t. Being proactive can protect…
Sisters, Friends, and Sister-Friends
I used to think that friendship was built in person. The internet taught me differently when it gifted me my tribe of a chronic illness community. In my tribe the, the wise woman is Cathy Kramer. Cathy and I met ten or so years ago, when she started writing for HealthCentral, and we kept being…
5 Meditation Tips for Beginners
Meditation is a great coping tool when you live with RA and other types of chronic illness, but how do you get into the habit? I tried meditating for 30 days and shared some tips in my latest articile for HealthCentral: “When you’re looking for ways to cope with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sooner or later,…
June 2019 #3Things: We try Again
May was busy and not always nice to people. In today’s #3Things Facebook Live, we talk stress, May, and figuring out how to actually do self-care. So we can do everything else.
The Healing Touch: How My Mother Took Away My Pain When Nothing Else Could
“That pain you had… For a mother to see a child with that kind of pain, is so terrible.” — My mom, Birthe Andersen I have had juvenile arthritis since I was four years old, which means this condition and I recently celebrated (?) 50 years together. For most of that time, there were no…
When Strong Gets in the Way
This post is written for the Facebook Live conversation between myself and Kirsten Schultz on how to stop being so damn strong. You can see Kirsten’s post here. I am very good at lying to myself. So good, in fact, that most of the time, I have no idea that I’m pulling the wool over…
“I’m Not Lazy:” Talking About Arthritis Fatigue
One of the biggest frustrations of living with arthritis — especially autoimmune arthritis — is the fatigue. It’s not just tired, it is a crushing exhaustion that does not get relief from rest. It’s a constant challenge to understand it, find ways cope with it, as well as dealing with the perceptions and the stigma…
RA vs OA: This Ain’t Your Grandfather’s Arthritis
Updated August 4, 2020 Ask anyone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to tell you about their biggest frustration and chances are they’ll mention the misperception that it is similar to osteoarthritis (OA). You know the moment — you explain that you have RA and they say, “oh yes, I know exactly what you mean. My knee…
10 Things to Try if Wearing a Bra Hurts Because of Rheumatoid Arthritis
I’ve been known to say that RA affects all areas of your life and do I ever mean all areas. Even something as simple as your underwear. Bras can be especially challenging. If you think about it, putting on a bra involves skill of a contortionist and when you have a chronic illness that affects…
What We Need From Others When We’re in Pain
Image description: rear view of two women sitting on a bench by a harbour. One woman is resting her head on the other’s shoulder. Pain is invisible. Which makes it hard to explain, and difficult for others to understand. I talked to the chronic pain community on Twitter and Facebook and they shared what they…
Berserker Author with RA: An Interview with Erik Henry Vick
Settle in, my friends, you’re in for a treat! I somehow persuaded Erik Henry Vick, author extraordinaire with RA, to let me interview him. If you’re a regular reader of this website, you know I loved Errant Gods, the first book in his Blood of the Isir series, also featured on my list of books…
How to Train Your Rheumatologist in Six Easy Steps
Congratulations on getting yourself a brand-new rheumatologist! Rheumatologists — or rheumies, as they are affectionately known in the community — can add so much value to living with any kind of arthritis. Like any other new relationship, though, you have to get used to each other, and your rheumatologist has to come to understand how…