AT THE WATER’S EDGE:
LIVING LIFE AND LEARNING ALL I CAN ALONG THE WAY
health
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Groundhog Day is Now Rheumatoid Awareness Day
It’s February 2nd. Groundhog Day. And now, Rheumatoid Awareness Day! Today marks the first time ever that there has been a day set aside specifically to promote awareness of rheumatoid disease (previously known as rheumatoid arthritis). The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) announced the establishment of this day last month, and has published numerous ways that…
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First Ever Rheumatoid Awareness Day
The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) has announced the establishment of the first ever Rheumatoid Awareness Day to promote education and awareness of rheumatoid disease (aka rheumatoid arthritis). There has never before been an awareness day for RA, and this will be a huge step toward increased education among the public (See Also: RA Un-Awareness). In…
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Humira:1-Year Anniversary & The Wrist Test
It’s hard to believe, but it has now been a full year since I have been on Humira to treat my rheumatoid disease (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis). Click here to view all of my blog posts along this journey. I made the switch from Enbrel to Humira in December of 2011, after a period of elevated…
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Treating to Target: A Common Sense Approach?
One of the topics that was prevalent at this year’s ACR Annual Scientific Meeting was the concept of Treating to Target. This approach to rheumatology care involves identifying treatment goals for patients with rheumatoid disease and modifying treatments when the goals are not reached. For instance, if a patient is started on methotrexate to treat…
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ACR 2012 – Day 1 Update
Continuing the tradition of the escalator photo! I cannot believe how quickly the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting has come upon us, yet here I sit in my hotel room in Washington, DC with Day 1 already behind us! My adventure began yesterday at 4am, when I had to get up in order to make my…
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Onward to Washington: ACR, RPF and a Video Contest
Last November, I spent a weekend in Chicago and was able to attend a brief part of the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Scientific Meeting which was being held there. I spent a day working in the Exhibit Hall on behalf of the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF), met other patients with Rheumatoid Disease that I…
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The Sed Rate Saga: Back to Normal
The story of the Sed Rate Saga continues. I wish I could say this was the ending, because it would be a happy one. I went to my rheumatologist’s office last week Monday and he gave me a lab order to get some more blood work done. The last time we had checked my Sed…
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A Day in the Life of…
I recently had somebody tell me that I should do a blog post about what it means day-to-day to live with rheumatoid disease. And, I immediately thought: that’s a good idea! Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Rheumatoid Disease is a chronic autoimmune disease whereby the body’s own immune system attacks healthy tissues. This leads to joint…
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Raynaud's Phenomenon: The Mystery of the White Finger
Hockey games can definitely induce Raynaud’s… For about as long as I can remember, my fingers have turned white when exposed to cold. My toes, too, actually. Sometimes the entire finger or toe; sometimes just part of it. They usually get at least a little numb, too. Sometimes it lasts for just a few minutes,…
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Forgetting My Medicine — And Other Small Victories
I don’t like to think of myself as a forgetful person, but sometimes I am. When it comes to taking medicine, I can usually get into a routine and keep it going without forgetting very often. Of course, this is easier under a couple of conditions: 1) When the medicine is taken daily, 2) When…
At the Water's Edge 