Effects of Heteronormativity in Healthcare on LGBTQ+ PatientsFrom the start, I want to be clear that I do not intend to paint with a broad brush here. There are many wonderful, empathetic practitioners out there in the...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
On NSAID Use and Their Side EffectsMine is a common story. My lower back symptoms began when I was a teenager but I wasn’t diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis or even referred to a rheumatologist until a...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Digestive System and Axial SpondyloarthritisSometimes I feel like the number of ways AxSpA can affect my body are endless. It’s extremely discouraging. But as a systemic disease, the truth of the matter is that...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
Axial Spondyloarthritis With a Side of Peripheral ArthritisA cold front has arrived and my joints are rigid and slow to respond. Not just the joints in my back and hips, but peripheral joints as well. I bundle...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Four Ways to Destress in Stressful TimesSince the beginning of the pandemic it seems like increased stress levels have become the new normal. Stress can be a risk factor for many different conditions in general, but...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Therapeutic Effects of Sharing Your AxSpA StoryWhen I was first diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of axial spondyloarthritis, I wasn’t sure how to talk about my experience. Honestly, I didn’t want to think about what...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Heat Therapy for Joint PainSpending an hour soaking in a nice hot bubble bath with a good book is one of my favorite ways to relax and destress, especially on a blustery winter or...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
My Post-Diagnosis Mixed Bag of EmotionsI’ve recently hit the five year anniversary of my axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis. For some reason, this otherwise random milestone has me reflecting on that winter five years ago, all the...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Mornings with Axial Spondyloarthritis: Waking Up in PainI never was an early riser. As a teenager, I could easily sleep til noon on the weekends without concern that I was missing something and, more importantly, without being...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My AS, Five Years From DiagnosisUnlike many stories that I’ve read, I do not remember the day I was diagnosed. Not really. That period of my life was one big blur. I was stressed, studying...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
My Recent Experience Navigating the U.S. Healthcare SystemThere are so many issues with our healthcare system in the U.S. that I could write a book. In fact, I’m sure there are countless books written on the subject...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Adding Injury to AxSpA Pain: Thinking About Acute vs. Chronic PainMost of the pain I feel these days--well, for the past two decades--is chronic pain related to AxSpA. As I’ve previously mentioned, pain is difficult to describe and I struggle...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
A Weekend Hike and the Painful AftermathI thoroughly enjoy hiking--it’s one of my favorite weekend and after-work activities. Hiking means my joints get some much-needed movement, my body some low-impact exercise, and my mind a bit...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
My Decision to Stick With a Biologic, and How It’s HelpedThe decision to start any medication is one that I do not take lightly. I do my due diligence, ask lots of questions at the doctor’s office, thoroughly read the...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
A Holiday Season Like No OtherThe holidays are a time for family, for gathering and catching-up and enjoying the company of our loved ones. Living away from family, the holidays are one of the few...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Finding a New Normal with AS2020 has been an interesting year, to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a global response and altered the day-to-day lives of people across the world. One thing I’ve...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Specialist Access in Medically Underserved CommunitiesLooking back, I now know how fortunate I’ve been when it comes to healthcare access. When I was younger, I didn’t spend one minute worrying about access to healthcare -...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
