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…
Closing the Mortality Gap: RA and Heart Disease
This week on HealthCentral, I’m looking at good news about Biologics and the systemic impact of RA: “It’s called the mortality gap. And none of us like to think about it. The average life expectancy of people with RA is 10 years less than the general population. RA is a systemic disease that affects not…
The Sanest Thing I Ever Did
Updated September 26, 2024 Sometimes, there’s nothing for it. Sometimes, you try and try and try and then you try some more, but you can’t get past where you are. Sometimes, the struggle takes on a life of its own, colouring everything else around you, making it impossible to have a moment that is free…
Building Bridges for Awareness: Contest Winners & Ideas
Remember the Amazing Awareness Contest held on HealthCentral’s RA site during the month of May? Today I announce the winners. But not just that – I also collect all the great suggestions 7ut were submitted for raising awareness in one place. Your go-to list for ideas on how to change the world: “You are all…
Book Review: The Newsflesh Trilogy
I don’t like zombies. In terms of the traditional trifecta of transformative supernaturals, give me vampires or werewolves any day for an interesting story with plenty of potential for goosebumps. Zombies, on the other hand, aren’t particularly scary. Primarily just gross. I mean, how truly frightening can it be to have somebody shambling after you,…
Everyday Life & RA: 10 Resources to Make It Easier
This week, I got super practical on HealthCentral: “For some, it’s the jar that might as well have a padlock. For others, it’s the childproof cap on a prescription bottle standing between them and relief of pain. Then there is the keyboard that makes your wrists hurt, scissors that cause the base joint in your…
Amongst the Woofs
This weekend was spent immersed in the canine species. It was time for the annual dog festival, known as Woofstock and it is one of the happiest weekend of the year. Very early on, we were greeted by this matched pair and what better way to set the tone for the festivities been a tough…
Not About RA
Well, that was a bit more than a flurry, wasn’t it? I think the last few weeks qualified to officially be named a perfect storm o’ work. And the really quite amazing thing was that I got through words without giving myself an injury – well, not a work-related one, anyway. We shall not speak…
Patients’ Access to Treatments Act/10 Grassroots Advocates
The last week of Arthritis Awareness Month had me writing about advocacy in two different spectrums (spectra??). First, the Patients’ Access to Treatments Act.This is an important bipartisan initiative to limit insurance companies from charging more in co-pays for Biologics than for other drugs: “When you have rheumatoid arthritis, medication can be an essential part…
Ease of Use: IMAK SmartGlove
I think this is one of those cars that can work great for some and not so great for others. Several other reviewers had a very positive reaction, so I think it’s worth looking into. If you have problems with wrist pain or carpal tunnel issues, give it a try. It might do the trick…
Ease of Use: Clarity D714 Cordless Phone
The Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-Use Commendation recognizes products proven to make life easier for people who have arthritis and other physical limitations. These products are independently tested by experts and evaluated by people with arthritis. I have been asked to review a number of Ease-of-Use products during May, Arthritis Awareness Month in the US. My mother,…