Defying Rheumatoid Arthritis

If Life With Chronic Pain Was a Musical "I think I may have figured out the secret to this whole chronic pain debacle."

Over the past few months I have been all but bed-bound with flaring and uncooperative joints - but to my great annoyance and frustration, my brain is still hyperactive and wanting to be useful. On my 34th birthday I was told I had one very clear solution. So after much deliberation, soul searching and a little pride swallowing, I too am saving for a wheelchair. Unfortunately I am too old for the NDIS and too young for public funding, in addition to not working (and therefore not earning) - but'll be worth it to be able to go back to work, go to the supermarket, go shopping, keep social engagements, and just get around. Purchasing and using a wheelchair is not a decision we make lightly - but instead I look at it as choosing being a functional person who has a life, which is a really easy choice! Thanks Arthritic Chick- the truth about life with Rheumatoid Arthritis for articulating everything I've been grappling with!

http://www.arthriticchick.com/my-story/rheumatoid-arthritis-and-my-newwheelchair

Rheumatoid Arthritis and my new wheelchair - Arthritic Chick This is the blog post I was never going to write.  I never intended to write.  Never imagined I would need to write. When I started this blog, from the very first post, I was imaging the post where I would declare myself in remission.  And I knew that I would get there one day, …

The five most common myths about chronic pain. It affects one in five Australians.

This Woman's Body Problem Is a Reminder That People Are Suffering From Diseases We Can't See

If you're interested in the AKP-11 cream trial and live in South Australia, and aren't already on steroids or a biologic - the clinical trial details are available at https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371042&isReview=true

ANZCTR - Registration

Hell yes, Penny.

A letter to those affected by their friend’s chronic pain Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Australians. Penny Shipway is one of them, and she wants you to know what it’s like. This is her story.

Thank you all so much (all fourteen hundred of you!) for sharing in the journey, warts and all. Hopefully one day we will have no RA to defy and I can spend my energy defying aging and the odds of a lotto win!

When people get sick, their friends and family rally around them - flowers, gifts, and chocolates are sent, people visit... but when you're chronically ill, that simply doesn't happen.

Having been bed-bound for the past two weeks (and most of the month before that) it is abundantly clear that our world is suffering from a serious disconnect.

Now please don't mistake this for a woe-is-me, attention seeking post - instead, take a moment to check in on your people. Even if it's just a quick message or phone call, believe me when I say it will mean so much to someone who is struggling against the tide of their illness.

Treating to an arbitrary set of numbers and figures is not going to get the best outcomes - not to mention the fact that I need to work to maintain what little sanity I have left!

The Important of work participation as an outcome in rheumatology

On many levels, this makes perfect sense...

Autoimmune diseases may be side effect of a strong immune system We finally have evidence from human studies that disorders like lupus could be a by-product of being well protected against other diseases

It's DonateLife week here in Australia - and this pie chart shows exactly why it's important that you register as a donor. The universe has to align so specifically for someone to be able to give this precious and generous gift. www.donatelife.gov.au

National Pain Week 2016 Improving knowledge and understanding about chronic pain across Australia.

Whoa... this sounds incredible!

The Gel That's Revolutionizing Pain Treatment An injectable jello-like substance reduces chronic inflammation and may aid limb transplantations.

A new blog post on finally conquering my chronic pain.

Defying Rheumatoid Arthritis: Trapped Chronic pain is not something I learned much about at uni - truth be told, I highly doubt a textbook or lecturer could have done it justice in a 200-seat theatre. There's something about the all-encompassing nature of chronic pain that really only lends itself to a practical learning experience.

Love my Mumma for knowing that pineapple is:
• chock-a-block full of bromelain (a natural anti-inflammatory and all-round health booster);
• one of my favourite fruits; and
• just plain delicious.

This container-full will keep the lurgies and inflammation at bay for another day while I'm in hospital.

A little time spent answering a survey and you could help to develop an app that helps chronic pain sufferers! Sounds like win win to me!

Queensland researchers take the pain out of pain apps Researchers from The University of Queensland are seeking public input as they develop a mobile app to help chronic pain sufferers and healthcare providers manage and treat pain.

So I am kind of happy I didn't bring any credit cards into hospital... the temptation for online shopping is so much worse when the boredom kicks in! Places like Squeak are my kryptonite!

Defying Rheumatoid Arthritis: Things I love: Squeak Design Squeak make beautiful silk scarves, bags, cushions, and my personal favourite, quilts. There's no denying the 'comfort' of my hospital bed could be infinitely improved with this beautiful, velvet-backed masterpiece! And they're even on sale... (no prizes for guessing which design and colour are my f...

What great news for chronic pain sufferers!

Prestigious award for UQ superstar scientist University of Queensland Professor Maree Smith has developed a new pill for chronic pain with final human trials due to begin soon.

In my work-life I find it incredibly concerning how many people aren't taking methotrexate correctly. Sacry thing is that the people taking it incorrectly are often the ones who say they think the drug is dangerous - I've been on it for over 12 years now and am living proof that taken properly, it's perfectly safe!

'It's a very nasty way to die': worrying rise in accidental overdose of Arthritis drug Accidental overdosing of a drug used to treat arthritis and other common conditions has been linked to multiple avoidable deaths.

What is chronic pain and why is it hard to treat? Unrelieved pain contributes more to human suffering than any other disease.

The Pain Drain - RheumatoidArthritis.net

If you're in Sydney this weekend, this looks like it will be a really interesting event - I'm all for looking for new and innovative ways to make our lives easier, healthier, and happier!

Chronic Pain Australia Hackathon - Hackathon in Ultimo We index hackathons the hacker way. We remove marketing messaging to make each event description consistent and understandable at a glance by developers

To everyone out there who is feeling like they need some help fighting the battle today - this one's for you.

Andra Day - Rise Up (Official Music Video) - Inspiration Version "Rise Up" by Andra Day - Inspiration Version Director: M. Night Shyamalan Producers: Thom Fennessey & Ashwin Rajan Production Manager: Zoe Katz From the albu...

They call me Shakira because my hips don't lie - this is the radar for my local area right now. Mother Nature and I are fighting each other in a Rheum War - and just quietly, she appears to have better weapons!

I'm sure this rings true for a few of us!

Day and night - RheumatoidArthritis.net

An excellent (and accurate) video on chronic pain!

Chronic Pain - Explained Here's an informative video from Hunter Medicare Local in Australia on understanding types of pain and what to do about it. The video focuses mostly on chron...

Bake me brownies, and I'm yours forever!

5 Little Things You Can Do to Support Your Friend With Chronic Illness They don't have to be massive gestures — just keep it simple.