Preclinical Rheumatoid Disease: There Are No Joints in the Lungs
My mom used to read to me John Godfrey Saxe’s 19th century version of a famous Indian legend, The Blind Men and the Elephant. I’m certain it contributed to my zealous love of evidence. Over the last...
View ArticleIt’s Just Pain, Right? No, Dr. No, It’s Not
No, it’s not just pain A letter from a fellow warrior reminded me of something I’ve been wanting to blog about since last summer. Today was technically my last day in the clinical trial. They were...
View ArticleThe 10 Fundamentals of Care for Rheumatoid Patients
Click here to download the printable PDF version of this important statement. What would appropriate rheumatological care for RA patients look like? The ACR tells us that the majority of Rheumatoid...
View ArticleMayo Clinic Contest! 5 Ways Patients Can Make a Difference!
1) Rheumatology patients are teaching medical students in the Britain! The biggest difference patients can make is to help the medical profession understand their conditions better. Patient instructors...
View ArticleWoman’s Day RA Is Destructive, but Phil & Venus Have Cred
In 2009, I first encountered something I called “the PR problem” with RA. For three years, I’ve disagreed with Woman’s Day magazine over whether the Woman’s Day version of RA is correct. On the blog,...
View ArticleJohnson & Johnson RA Warrior YouTube Video
Inside story of a new YouTube video about RA Warrior A few weeks ago, a Johnson & Johnson video team visited our house. See my sons spoofing with the big video camera? The things that captivate...
View ArticlePainless Meme for Rheum Mates
Often, I begin a presentation explaining “being an RA patient doesn’t define me.” Then, I share some things that do. Like being a mother of five amazing young people. Growing up near D.C. and still...
View ArticleConfusion & Blame Surround Methotrexate Shortages & Recalls
U.S. caught off guard by methotrexate shortage Shortages of injectable methotrexate began in 2010 and some sources say may continue through 2014. Many have been surprised that shortages of such...
View ArticlePoll Shows Textbooks Wrong on Rheumatoid Arthritis Morning Stiffness
Morning stiffness is like morning sickness Did you ever have a baby? Did you have morning sickness? Was it only in the morning? Were you still pregnant? Everyone recognizes there is a lot of variety to...
View ArticleRheumatoid Arthritis Awareness: Sugar Coat Cookies Please, Not a Disease
Why the sugar coating of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the media? Do you remember the insistence of Woman’s Day editors that patients were wrong and their article on Rheumatoid Arthritis was correct? The...
View Article5 Tricky Questions about Rheumatoid Arthritis / Disease
Five tricky questions I’m asked about Rheumatoid Arthritis with the shortest answers I can muster. What tricky question do people ask you about RA? And how do you answer? 1) Can I quit taking my...
View ArticleWhat If Rheumatoid Disease Were Recognized, Properly Funded & Medically...
Just think. What if you told people you have RA and they actually knew what that meant instead of dismissing it? What difference would it make if Rheumatoid Disease had comparable NIH research funding...
View ArticleLessons from a Dumb Phone & a Disabled Computer
Last month I ordered a lightweight keyboard to use with an iPad. I planned to get one to downsize for travel, so I’d be more able to manage my briefcase alone when needed. I’m typing on that keyboard...
View ArticleThe End of the Methotrexate Shortage, Thanks to Pfizer?
Pfizer addresses U.S. methotrexate shortage that hurts RA patients Earlier this year the FDA approved an abbreviated new drug application, securing Pfizer’s right to sell injectable methotrexate in the...
View ArticleWe’re Warriors So Fighting On Is Just What We Do
Blue Button meeting at HHS (ONC)The iPad looking back from the front of the crowded meeting room. #HealthIT4u at ONC@Farzad & @Lygeia (in Walking Gallery jacket) at Blue Button meeting. Kelly and...
View ArticleWin a Pentax Camera! While You Spread RA / RD Awareness!
The PRIZES! FIRST Prize: Pentax Optio RS1500 Digital Camera 2 SECOND prizes: one of 2 $25 iTunes Gift Cards The CONTEST! What’s the contest about? For years, people who live with Rheumatoid Disease...
View ArticleRed Feet, Frankenstorm, Unexpected Sympathy, and Travel to PCORI Workshop...
Tiger and I left home for the PCORI conference today in D.C. in spite of the fact that many in the D.C. are evacuating from the area! Schools were closed on the Space Coast due to Hurricane Sandy,...
View Article“You Look Fine” – a Wall of Confusion Surrounding Rheumatoid Disease
If you’ve been diagnosed with “Rheumatoid Arthritis,” then we have a short poll for you of patient experiences with this disease! But first a few words about why this site exists for all of us....
View ArticleDo Not Kiss Me
Do not kiss me because I have a suppressed immune system… In “Kiss My…” a physician blog in Rheumatology News, Dr. Larry Greenbaum wrote, “I charged him level 5 for taking so much of my time, for...
View ArticleA World Where No One Suffers from Rheumatoid Disease
When you’re making any charitable donations, please remember the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) is each of us helping all of us. The RPF Vision: A world where no one suffers from Rheumatoid...
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