How to Talk to Your Doctor About Sex and RA
Rheumatologists don’t always bring up the topic of how RA affects sex, so you may have to. WHich can seem daunting. In my new column for HealthCentral, I share tips for starting a conversation with your doctor about how RA affects your sex life: “WHEN YOU HAVE rheumatoid arthritis (RA) it affects all aspects of…
Think You Might Have Rheumatoid Arthritis? How to Prepare for Your First Appointment with a Rheumatologist
The waiting period to see a rheumatologist for the first time can be really long in Canada. In my new article for the Canadian CreakyJoints site, I look at how you can prepare to improve the appointment and start building a relationship with your doctor: “The waiting period between hearing from your family doctor you…
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…
Made with RA: Having RA Means You Are Resilient
When a flare gets you down, you have to get back up. In my new column for HealthCentral, I remind you that you already know how to keep going (and share tips and how-to in case you need a refresher): “RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) can stop you in your tracks, taking over every single part of your…
Give Yourself Credit for Everything You Do With RA
A little self-love goes a long way in seeing your accomplishments for what they are: enough. How to get there? I share tips in my latest column for HealthCentral: “WHEN LOOKING BACK at your day, your week, and maybe even your year, does a list of all the things you couldn’t or didn’t do roll in…
How Breaking the Rules Helps My RA
Going against conventional thinking (breakfast for dinner anyone?) is key in happier living with RA. My column for HealthCentral dives into the unspoken rules that guide our lives and how breaking them can help you have less pain, fatigue, and guilt: “I HAD CEREAL for dinner. Again. While crunching my way through a bowl of cornflakes…
How to Love Yourself, RA and All
Liking yourself, loving your body, can be a real challenge with RA. In my new column for HealthCentral, I talk about my past struggles with body image, how I learned to celebrate who I am, and share tips for how you can, too: “CAN YOU FEEL beautiful with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? For a very long time…
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…
5 Platitudes That Don’t Help Me Live Better With RA
When people don’t know what to say about your rheumatoid arthritis, they often rely on old adages or platitudes. The problem is, none of these actually help you feel supported and they are hardly ever useful. In this column for HealthCentral, I pick apart five platitudes that don’t help and suggest alternatives: “EVEN THE MOST introverted…
January 2021 Chronic Journeys with My Guest Toni Bernhard
I was so honoured (and fangirling) when seminal chronic illness author Toni Bernhard agreed to join me on the first Chronic Journeys of the year! We talk about Toni’s new pocket version of How to Be Sick, the magic of the three breaths technique, and other ways to make life with chronic illness just a…
RA Fatigue Is Not the Same as Being Tired
“We are all tired.” Well, yes. But rheumatoid arthritis fatigue is not the same as missing a night of sleep. In this column for HealthCentral, I talk about what RA fatigue really feels like and share a few workarounds: “PROFOUND FATIGUE COMES hand-in-hand with my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it is with me always. No matter…
How to Actually Pace Yourself With RA
On the couch, flaring because you overdid it AGAIN? Yup, been there. In this column for HealthCentral, I break down how to keep yourself from overdoing it over and over again: ““Pace yourself.” This is the magic solution to all my woes of trying to live my life while managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). At least, it’s…