The Strobe Light of Chronic Illness – How Others See Only Small SnapshotsI was watching a cop show the other day and one of those obligatory, “drug addled-club goers rave” scenes came on. You know, the one that shows what Hollywood thinks...reactionscomments
Nature's Impact on Our Physical & Mental HealthThere is growing evidence that spending time in nature can help people feel less depressed, anxious or stressed. Maintaining our connection to nature can improve one’s quality of life and...reactionscomments
"Coming Out" As A Sick PersonMy first instinct as a newly diagnosed person with AS (a type of axial spondyloarthritis) was to hide it. I was confused, relieved, upset, depressed, just about every emotion. I...reactions1comment
Flash Giveaway for Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month!In honor of Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month 2020 and the launch of our community, our sister-site AnkylosingSpondylitis.net is offering a FLASH GIVEAWAY ENTRY for their Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month Giveaway. The giveaway...reactionscomments
“But You Don’t Look Sick”The thing about living with a sometimes-invisible disease is that it sort of feels like it's you against the world. You're living with this secret, this shadow, this double-life —...reactionscomments
Feeling Behind Because Of ASSince being diagnosed with AS back in 2018, I’ve felt a lot of different ways about it. I’ve felt grief, gratitude, depression, just about every feeling really. Lately, I’ve been...reactions2comments
Brain Fog: The Impact of RA on Mental FunctioningResults from the 2019 RA In America Survey showed that 61 percent of survey participants living with RA experienced brain fog within the last month of taking the survey. Along...reactionscomments
Mental Health Month 2020: Not Just In Your HeadFor a long time, we said mental health happens in the mind and the body is just along for the ride. People who’ve experienced stress, anxiety, depression, or even minor...reactionscomments
The Humira HangoverSince Keegan, my husband with AS, began taking Humira over 2 years ago, he's always talked about a "Humira hangover." He'd describe it as a small period of time where...reactions28comments
Social Distancing Spurs Telehealth SurgeThe technology needed for virtual healthcare has been around for decades. But virtual care has not been widely used in the United States until recently. The recent public health emergency...reactionscomments
4 Self-Advocating TipsWhen suffering from such a mysterious illness, you are often required to see multiple doctors that specialize in different things. I can definitely get a little messy at times. This...reactions4comments
Brain Fog: The Impact of RA on Mental FunctioningResults from the 2019 RA In America Survey showed that 61 percent of survey participants living with RA experienced brain fog within the last month of taking the survey. Along...reactionscomments
Post-Activity Stiffness and Psoriatic ArthritisPlease do not take this as the standard stiffness all of us with psoriatic arthritis usually experience first thing in the mornings. I want to talk more about being active...reactionscomments
Don’t Stress Your Next FlareYou know what it is like. You’ve had a really good day, or perhaps week. Everything is going your direction and you feel you finally have a handle on your...reactionscomments
Everything Looks Fine To Me: When Test Results Bring FrustrationI know it might sound contradictory to most, but one of the worst things someone in chronic pain can hear from a doctor is, “Everything looks fine to me!” I...reactions10comments
Dry, Cracked, and Very ParchedA few years ago, I presented with blurry vision and a weird sensation of people moving away from me while I looked at them. The best way I can describe...reactions5comments
Dry, Cracked, and Very ParchedA few years ago, I presented with blurry vision and a weird sensation of people moving away from me while I looked at them. The best way I can describe...reactions4comments
Privacy Concerns When Using Telehealth ServicesTelehealth has become a popular way to see a doctor. Today, you can get many health services remotely. And, some studies show you may get better care at a lower...reactionscomments
Managing Chronic Pain With Medical MarijuanaAccepting that something so stigmatized could be helpful for Keegan took a while for me to get over. When we got married, I knew I'd do anything and everything I...reactions6comments
How Do I Find Virtual Health Services?It can be overwhelming to figure out how to find telehealth services, especially if you do not already have a doctor. But many companies offer a range of virtual health...reactionscomments
