Not sure if I’ve shared this post with you all yet. It’s one of my Healthline pieces about depression and arthritis. There is a long-recognized link between depression and rheumatoid arthritis, but a new study gives more definitive proof that having depression can hamper remission in RA patients … learn more about it, here: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/depression-makes-it-tougher-to-beat-ra-121414 You … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Arthritis
Dear Santa: A Christmas Poem from a Patient
Dear Santa, Please make my wish come true. It’s a tall order, but I believe in you. Christmas miracles, they happen, right? If so, can you make me feel alright? I can do without glittery diamonds or wealth, I can even go without an Elf on the Shelf, All I want, Santa, is really my … Continue reading
Rheuminders
I started a new project on Facebook and Instagram called the Ultimate You Rheuminders Series (brought to you by Arthritis Ashley!) These share-able messages are little snippets of advice, positivity, or empowerment for patients living with RA and other debilitating illnesses — but they can also apply to anyone from someone living with chronic pain, … Continue reading
Healthline.com: A Very High or Very Low BMI Could Make RA Remission More Difficult
Did you know that your BMI, or Body Mass Index, could affect your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and disease activity? It can. Having a very low or very high BMI could make RA remission more difficult, and can also be considered a risk factor for the disease. To learn more, check out my latest Healthline article … Continue reading
Healthline.com – Mothers with RA May Have Premature or Underweight Babies
A new study of 2 million mothers showed that moms with rheumatoid arthritis were more likely to have premature and underweight babies. I wrote an article about this new Danish rheumatology study here, at Healthline.com. Enjoy! – http://www.healthline.com/health-news/women-with-ra-more-likely-to-have-premature-babies-111814 Continue reading
Limping Through the Magic Kingdom
I will never willingly choose to “miss out” on life because of my conditions. I’ll go down with a fight before I let these illnesses prevent me from living my life: and that includes travel. But that doesn’t mean that it is always easy. Read on … While I’m still sick fairly often with frequent … Continue reading
I’m Gluten-Free: 15 Things You Need to Know About the Celiac Lifestyle
I’m gluten-free. No, it isn’t by choice. Yes, it is necessary. No, I cannot cheat. Yes, I will get sick — possibly short-term, definitely long-term — if i ingest gluten. Now that the basics are out of the way, here are 15 more things you need to know about my gluten-free, Celiac-friendly lifestyle: Celiac Sprue … Continue reading
Healthline.com: The Vicious Cycle of Arthritis, Depression, and Disability
Here’s my most recent Healthline.com post: Arthritis, Depression, and Disability: the Vicious Cycle. Take a look and feel free to share and/or leave a comment about your own experiences! http://www.healthline.com/health-news/arthritis-depression-and-disability-102514 Continue reading
Finding Faith During Times of Chaos
I’ve learned something: Illness turns many people away from God. Suffering makes many question their faith. However, these times of chaos and seemingly “ungodly” pain causes others to go the opposite direction, running towards God and embracing their faith with arms wide open. Of course, there are those of you who are agnostics and atheists, … Continue reading
Rant Time: Don’t “Quantify” the Sick Girl
You know how it’s rude to say things like, “you throw okay … for a girl.” Or, “you run pretty fast … for being so big.” It’s also somewhat insulting to say things like, “wow! You’ve accomplished so much … despite being sick.” No, I haven’t accomplished a lot “for being a sick girl.” I’ve … Continue reading