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: Juvenile 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
Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain: Public Selfies & Private Illness
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” It’s one of the most powerful lines from the movie and book, The Wizard of Oz. It’s such a simple quote — so relevant to the scene, that we usually don’t think of the symbolism that lies within it. it got me thinking, though, about “the … 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
How Much Do Our Emotions and Life Decisions Contribute to Our Disease Symptoms?
I read a really interesting piece recently about some symptoms of chronic illnesses being, not caused by, but, exacerbated by, one’s life being out-of-balance or on the wrong path i.e. wrong career, wrong spouse or romantic partner, no spiritual compass, minimal friends or social prospects, little community involvement, too much focus on the self or … Continue reading
This Old Lady Has Arthritis
World Arthritis Day is coming up and what better time than now to erase negative stigmas and myths associated with arthritis and rheumatic disease! This image, created by Mariah’s Movers, is meant to showcase that people of ALL ages get arthritis — even kids! It is often associated with the elderly, but that isn’t always … Continue reading
Orange Is The New Black and Chronic Pain: Don’t Be a Prisoner of Your Illness! – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Recently, I began watching the Netflix series, Orange is the New Black, also known as #OITNB. (Yes, I know that I’m late to that party.) I began to relate with some of Piper Chapman’s feelings as she is in jail, though I was unclear why, since I’ve personally not spent any time in a women’s prison. I … Continue reading
Chemotherapy and Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
I will admit that I have always been hesitant to describe my rheumatoid arthritis medications as chemo, or “cancer drugs.” Part of this is my aversion to pity; the other part was that, at times, people use the term “chemo” incorrectly when describing their arthritis treatments. Lastly, I’ve always felt that it was a bit … Continue reading
Managing Time with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Sometimes, it’s hard to find time for things you want and need to do, while living with chronic illness. I get it. It’s difficult, and it’s even harder to explain to others. It’s been described in terms of spoons, and in many other ways, ranging from the creative to the absurd. That said, time management … Continue reading
Arthritis Ashley Tells The Mighty Why She’s Happy Despite Living with Illness
Our very own Arthritis Ashley was featured on the website, “The Mighty” this week. The Mighty celebrates “the superheroes among us,” who are staying strong and triumphing despite life’s many hardships ranging from chronic illness, to disability, and more. Like us, their mission is to educate and spread awareness about various health issues. You can read … Continue reading