Switching to Biosimilars for RA, Part Two: My Experience as an ‘Outlier’ Trying (So Far) 3 Biosimilars
In April 2023, I received a letter from the Ontario government with information about the new biosimilar switching policy. I had until the end of the year to switch from the biologic medication I take to treat my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to a biosimilar. I did my best to be hopeful and believe it would…
You May Have to Switch to a Biosimilar for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Here’s Why.
In March 2023, I received a letter from the Ontario government. It informed me that a biosimilar switching policy was now in place. People like me who receive funding from the government to pay for Biologics for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn’s disease, and other forms of autoimmune disease were given until the end of 2023…
The Seated View Top 5 Posts in 2022
2022 was an interesting year. Here on The Seated View I had a bit of an involuntary blog hibernation as the challenges of life with chronic illness became pretty overwhelming. But in a fit of a well-rested post-holiday optimism, I decided it was time to reawaken this site of mine and what better way to…
Medication Is Important to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, but How Do You Afford It?
In my new column for CreakyJoints Canada, I look at some of the obstacles to getting the RA medications you need and share tips to break down the barriers: ““It’s important to treat rheumatoid arthritis early and aggressively.” It’s a statement we often hear in interviews with rheumatologists, articles about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and at doctor’s…
Finding Hope When RA Meds Don’t Put You in Remission
What do you do when medications don’t work as well as you’d like? In my new column for HealthCentral, I write about how developing a hopeful mindset can help you get through the pain and frustration: “EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, there is hopeful news about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment and what it can do for your life—all…
Removing the “Ick Factor” From RA Meds
Like it or not (and mostly it’s not), medication is part of living with RA. But when you’re not used to swallowing pills or giving yourself an injection, how do you get to a point where it’s less intimidating or gross? In my new column for HealthCentral, I share my pro tips to get the…
It’s Time to Let Go of These RA Med Myths
There are a lot of stories going around about rheumatoid arthritis medication and not all of them are true. In my new column for HealthCentral, I sort fact from fiction about RA treatments: “I’VE ALWAYS LOVED ancient myths, especially the slightly scary kind. There’s something so delicious about getting that jolt of adrenaline when you…
How I Came to Terms With Taking Meds for RA
Rheumatoid arthritis medication get a bad rap. In this column for HealthCentral, I talk about how to handle the stigma of treating your RA with medicine in a culture obsessed with an “all-natural” approach to healing: “EVERY DAY, I take medication for my rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including self-injection with a biologic drug I stash in the…
How to Make RA Treatment Decisions With Less Stress
Side-effect risks can be downright terrifying when you’re trying new rheumatoid arthritis therapies. Deeeep breath! In this HealthCentral column, I share how I keep my balance: “The ads make it look easy—you can create a wonderful life of walking on the beach with your beloved and a golden retriever by simply treating your rheumatoid arthritis…
When RA Hits Your Jaw: The Facts and Tips to Cope
Did you know that headaches, toothaches, and pain around the neck and shoulders could mean that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is affecting your jaw? For some of you reading this, this could be the first time you heard that RA can affect your jaw. Let’s cover that first — yes, it can, just like all the…
How to Make RA Treatment Decisions With Less Stress
Rheumatoid arthritis and medication go hand in hand. But… what about the horror stories about side effects? How do you balance the fear of what might come with the meds with hope for remission? Read more in my new column for HealthCentral: “The ads make it look easy—you can create a wonderful life of walking…
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options
Confused about which treatment does what for rheumatoid arthritis? My new piece for HealthCentral looks at rheumatoid arthritis treatment options: “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in joints and other systems of the body, including internal organs. Untreated, it can cause significant damage to your body, often leading to progressive…