Pregnancy Can Raise Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pregnant women carrying babies with a different genetic makeup in their immune systems may have a greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to new…
Rheumatoid arthritis
Miss Understood: Denied Disability
In May of 2013 I was placed on permanent disability by my rheumatologist at USC. He informed me that my best bet would be to…
Miss Understood: Acceptance
Whenever a person is faced with life-changing news, especially the negative kind, coming to terms with that reality becomes challenging. I still remember the day…
Miss Understood: My Invisible Support Group
I recently attended the 7th annual "Women in Pain" conference. I had been asked to participate in a panel of fellow pain sufferers to discuss…
Smoking and Salt Double Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Put down that cigarette And put away the bag of potato chips. Smoking and eating salty foods not only raise your risk of cardiovascular disease…
Miss Understood: Gender Bias in Healthcare
In my personal experience with pain, I found that being able to endure severe pain is somewhat expected from women. I once had a doctor…
Miss Understood: Six Years in Pain
August is both a happy and sad month for me. Happy because I get to celebrate another year of life. Sad because days before my…
Miss Understood: Fall, Get Up, Move Forward, Repeat
Summertime is my greatest fear and one of my least favorite seasons. Reason being, due to my lupus, I can no longer enjoy sun bathing.…