How I Deal With RA Brain Fog
Brain fog. It’s a common symptom for many who have chronic illness and chronic pain. But exactly what is it and how the heck do you deal with in mind that all of a sudden doesn’t function the way it used to? In my new column for HealthCentral, I share my own experience with brain fog…
Can the Mediterranean Diet Help Your RA? A Famer’s Market Tour with The Arthritis Dietitian
Could your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) respond to diet? The research jury is out on most except the Mediterranean diet, also called the anti-inflammatory diet. Filled with colorful vegetables, pulses (beans and lentils), and healthy fats, this way of eating isn’t just good for your body, it’s a feast for the eyes, as well. Join…
What Disability Pride Means to Me
This month is Disability Pride Month and this year, it’s getting traction! What is it and why is it important? Read my new column on HealthCentral: “I know a lot of women whose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has affected their hands, and it has taken a social toll. I see them hiding their hands under the…
I’m Nominated for the #WEGOHealthAwards!
I am beyond thrilled to be nominated in the WEGO Health Awards in two categories — Best in Show: Community and Hilarious Patient Leader. I don’t know who nominated me, but both of these absolutely made my day when I got the news. Thank you to the nominators and thank you to all of you….
Announcing #ChronicJourneys: My New Talk Show
Getting to know others and hearing their stories is one of my favourite things, ever. There are so many fascinating people who have found ways to live with and around rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other types of chronic illness and I want to talk to all of them! About how they manage their condition, but…
Managing RA (or Any Chronic Illness) Is a Full-Time Job
No one ever tells you just how much work it is to have a chronic illness. Just how many roles and tasks does it include? I tell all in my new Made with RA column on HealthCentral: “I am exhausted. My doctors would tell me this is due to the stress of living with a…
Is it OK to Dump Someone Because of Their Medical Condition? Why the New York Times Got It Wrong (and It’s Not What You Think)
“I just can’t handle it.” I’d bet the majority of people who have a chronic illness or disability have had that conversation when dating. That is, if you’re lucky. There are also the infinite number of times when you’re just ghosted — the person just disappears as if exorcised from your life. Earlier this week,…
Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Diagnosis Of RA?
One of the biggest struggles to effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the delay in diagnosis. In the very recent past, just 20 years ago, the time from the appearance of first symptoms to diagnosis range from a few months to more than 10 years. Thankfully, that has improved more, although the average is still…
You Can Run a Small Business With RA
Got dreams? You can get there with RA. I’ve been working for myself for well over a decade now and in many ways, being self-employed is the ideal job when you have RA and other types of chronic illnesses. In my new Made with RA column for HealthCentral, I share my experience and tips for…
Two Kinds of RA Pain and How to Cope
Pain is often one of the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may continue to play a leading role in your life with this condition. When you have RA, there are two general causes of pain: one is active RA inflammation and the other RA damage. I’ll take a look at both, as well…
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 Someone Who Can’t Have Children Feels About Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is almost here and even in a pandemic, we’ll find way to celebrate. but what about the women who aren’t mothers? In my new column for HealthCentral, I share my story of how rheumatoid arthritis blocked my dreams of being a mother (and what I’m doing instead): “Somewhere in a parallel reality, I…