I recently started a foray into podcasting with my IFAA cofounder Tiffany. She is the brains behind the project, in which patients co-host a podcast to discuss issues impacting patients in the autoimmune/autoinflammatory arthritis community. Our latest series is called "Rheumy Rounds". Personally, I think it is ground breaking. How many of us (patients) have... Continue Reading →
A year ago, I wrote a book about my dog, Georgia Grace. Georgia is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who lives with multiple, serious chronic illnesses including the top 3: Syringomyelia, Chronic Valvular Heart Disease, and Diabetes. I was told her life expectancy was three years. Today, she is 10 years, 6 months and... Continue Reading →
I lost someone I love to drug addiction. It started with an addiction to prescription pain meds. He injured his ankle years ago and struggled with the pain. I figured out he was an addict after I had surgery to repair my broken ankle. He asked me what medication I was given and I told... Continue Reading →
Recently, social media has been buzzing with the warning that the government will soon be using social media tracking to crack down on disability fraud. I wouldn't say this is surprising. People have been spying on the disabled for years. Growing up, I always heard how people "faked disability" to milk the system. My family... Continue Reading →
Insurance is a blessing and a curse in my life. I'm grateful to have coverage, but so frustrated a the antiquated system of step therapy that they industry still holds valid. I've written before about suffering for 7 years before finding a biologic drug that made me feel somewhat human again. Why? Because I had... Continue Reading →
I've been documenting my journey with my broken foot. It's been frustrating, painful, and difficult to say the least. Non-weight bearing is hard when you don't have autoimmune arthritis, but when you do, it's nearly overwhelming. When I found out my foot hadn't healed, I decided to stay at my parents' house over the Christmas... Continue Reading →
I am proud to participate in the 4th annual RA Blog Week. Thanks to Rick Phillips for organizing this event every year. Day 1 Prompt: The Medicine – Patients with autoimmune disease often are not treated well by Doctors and Pharmacists when we ask for or receive prescription pain medicine. What has been your experience? Share... Continue Reading →
In addition to my autoimmune arthritis and other chronic illnesses, I've written about my skin issues. Right before my diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome, I was diagnosed with a benign skin disease called DSAP (disseminated superficial actinic porokerotosis). I basically get these little circles on my skin. They get hard and sometimes flake. Over time, they... Continue Reading →
I've written many times about my fear of losing health insurance due to my pre-existing conditions. Recently, the Justice Department has decided to not defend the Affordable Care Act in court. Without defense the ACA could be determined to be unconstitutional, thus illuminating the protections put in place for people with pre-existing conditions. According the... Continue Reading →
I honestly don't know where to start. I just saw a headline about Aetna Insurance. Basically, a former medical director, who was also a doctor, admitted under oath that he never read a patient's chart before denying or approving coverage of treatments. Instead, he followed what he stated was "Aetna training" in which nurses would... Continue Reading →
asmyjointsturn.com 