Oats: Can You Have Too Much of a Good Thing?
Updated March 10, 2021 I am a sucker for those scary ads that tell you a particular item is being discontinued and you have to buyitnoworitwilbegoneFOREVER! It is a completely visceral reflex to BUYITRIGHTNOW, right? That’s why these ads exist. And that also explains why I own a number of items that I don’t use…
How to Cope With Rheumatoid Arthritis Morning Stiffness
It’s a defining symptom of rheumatoid arthritis and one of the most difficult aspects of the condition. My new article for HealthCentral is all about morning stiffness, plus tips for coping with it. And there’s more! Tips and stories from the RA community: “One of the defining characteristics of arthritis is morning stiffness. Depending on…
How to Pace Yourself with Chronic Illness
How do you learn to pace yourself with chronic illness? It’s more complicated than just deciding to do things more slowly — there are a lot of emotional aspects to this process, as well as learning a whole new way of leading your life. One of the most frustrating aspects of chronic illness is that…
From Helplessness to Hope with Chronic Illness: 5 Strategies to Push Back Depression
I had a rough entry into the holidays. The fates conspired to send me a number of events over which I had little control. On top of already existing stress, plus having slammed it into overdrive to prepare for the holidays, my body (and mind) had had enough. So I got sick. Or rather, I…
Your Life with RA Is On Sale!
It’s January, a month famous — infamous? — for being full of resolutions and decisions to take charge of your life. My Amazon Bestseller Your Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tools for Managing Treatment, Side Effects and Pain is your perfect partner in the quest to become empowered and put yourself in the driver’s seat with…
6 Tips for Setting (and Working Towards) Goals Despite the Unpredictability of Chronic Illness
“That’s why you should never make plans,” she said. “You never know what might happen.” I used to be in that place. It’s a place where you are afraid of planning anything, because of the unpredictability of chronic illness. If you never know how you’ll feel tomorrow, even in an hour from now, forcing you…
12 Ways to Get on Top of Your RA
New year, new you? That can be difficult to accomplish when you live with RA and all the demands and unpredictability that entails. My new article for HealthCentral suggests an attainable way of embracing a new you: one month at a time: “Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and all that comes with it can be…
When Bodies Break: New Book from the Chronic Illness Community
I am proud to bursting of being a contributor to the exciting new book, When Bodies Break: How we survive and thrive with illness and disability. In it, thirty-two inspiring and resilient chronic illness warriors share their stories of struggle, strength and survival. When Bodies Break is the brainchild of Cam B. Auxer, the woman…
How Acupuncture Can Help Your RA
Treating RA and its symptoms involves a toolbox with a wide variety of regimens and approaches. In one of my new articles for HealthCentral, I took a look at acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis: “Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rely on a number of treatments and techniques to deal with the symptoms and pain. Many…
How Mental Health Resources Can Help You Live Better With RA
RA affects your physical health, but also your mental and emotional health. In one of my new articles for HealthCentral, I took a look at the mental health resources that can help you heal and move forward: “Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not easy. Adapting to the repeated changes and losses that can accompany…
#ChronicChristmas Gift Guide Day 12: Everyone Needs a Toolbox
Image description: an illustration of a path through the forest. Next to the path sits a dog with a wounded pawl lifted. On the path is a penguin with a toolbox. Image has the number 12 placed in a tree and the hashtag #ChronicChristmas This is my daily Advent calendar of gift ideas for…
12 Must-Reads if You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
It’s no secret that I’m a complete book nerd. I learned from books, I love the adventure of books… Essentially, books make me happy. Books can also be a great way of learning more about rheumatoid arthritis and when written by people who live with RA, even better. In my new slideshow for HealthCentral, I’ve…