Patient advocate Eileen Davidson finds these all-too-common phrases rude, naive, and unsupportive — and you may too.
By Kelsey Kloss
Fewer jabs and more effective treatments could be in your future.
New study points to the importance of working with your doctor to monitor your heart health for months after a gout flare.
By Angie Ebba
"Much like my basil, I don’t do well in the heat either. I joke with friends that there are only a few months out of the year that my body really likes — in the winter my bones ache from the cold, and in the summer heat, I wilt as fatigue and deep muscle exhaustion sets in."
By Susan Jara
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidance, loosening restrictions on social distancing and quarantining. Here’s what our community thinks — and how to keep protecting yourself.
By Kelsey Kloss
Here’s your guide to how the vaccine works, who’s eligible, and what it means for those with weakened immune systems.
The American College of Rheumatology has issued new guidance about how to use flu, pneumonia, zoster (shingles), and HPV vaccines, including indications and medication timing around vaccination.
Treatments for scalp psoriasis often don’t account for the textures, hair care regimens, and styling techniques common among Black people. Here, solutions for advocating for yourself and finding relief.
When the slightest thing goes wrong, do you instantly jump to the worst-case scenario? Unfortunately, that can kick-start a damaging anxiety spiral. Instead, try putting a stop to it with some tried-and-true tips.
New research makes a case for expanding the authority of pharmacists to administer all available FDA-approved or CDC-recommended vaccines to improve access in low-income communities.
By Lana Barhum
Learn how the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for RA and OA differ — and why this information can help you work together with your doctor to get the best care.
By Kelsey Kloss
A new review from CreakyJoints provides recommendations for how providers can guide patients who are interested in cannabis for pain treatment.
By Jae Walker
“COVID-19, the Uvalde school shooting, and now Roe vs. Wade has been overturned…I am bone tired. Tired from the inside out of my bones.”
Here’s what you should know about this outbreak if you’re immunocompromised because of an autoimmune or inflammatory health condition or taking immunosuppressant medication.
By Kelsey Kloss
Fortunately, you have more ways to keep yourself safe today compared to when the pandemic began.
By Kelsey Kloss
More studies reporting sex-disaggregated outcomes are needed, but early clues shed light on how your risk may differ based on your assigned sex.
By Kerry Weiss
This go-to medication has become harder to access for some, making it a good time to re-evaluate your treatment plan.
By CreakyStaff
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, only 25 precent of respondents said they have already received their fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose, and some are waiting for a variant-specific booster.
Living with chronic illness is costly, so when the economy looks bleak it's natural to feel anxious about health care expenses. Here's help.
By CreakyStaff
In honor of Disability Pride Month, we talked to our patient community about what they wish others knew about being disabled.
New study finds drug formularies often have exclusions that could harm your health or cost you more money.
By Susan Jara
The chronic illness community may be experiencing an unexpected side effect of abortion restrictions — issues accessing methotrexate.
Odds are your rheumatologist won’t ask about your sex life, so if you’re having troubles, you’ll need to put aside your embarrassment and get the convo started. Here’s help.
From spoonie to painsomina to brain fog, find out common terms used by those living with arthritis and chronic illness.
That’s not just the name of Gigi Robinson’s podcast — it’s the driving force behind the 24-year-old’s messages about chronic illness, body image, resilience, and confidence.
By CreakyStaff
We're raising awareness with our LGBTQ+ patient community on the unique challenges they face as people at the intersection of multiple identities.
By Angie Ebba
“As June comes to a close, I may be putting away my rainbow romper and unicorn headband, but I’ll be unapologetically stepping out with my cane and posting about my disability on social media.”
New study finds that people who use NSAIDs to treat an episode of low back pain are more likely to end up with chronic pain.
By CreakyStaff
Here’s what our patient community said about diagnosing, treating, and navigating life with more than one chronic disease.
By Kelsey Kloss
If you’re immunocompromised, you may be due for a booster if it’s been four months since your last dose. Here's what to know.
By Kelsey Kloss
More than 40 percent of patients reported at least moderate sleep disturbances and nearly 70 percent reported at least moderate fatigue.
Andy Pendergrass believes in leading by example. And he’s showing sons Cal, 5, and Freddy, 1, that when life throws you a curveball you can still hit it out of the park.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, only 30 percent of respondents said they feel more comfortable doing activities in public this summer compared to last summer. That said, they were most comfortable planning gatherings with close family and friends.
By Kelsey Kloss
Researchers hope new studies will shed light on these questions for those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID.
By Rachel Ellis
“I think because this kind of disability is, in most part, an invisible one, people think we should just plow through,” says Will Taylor, who lives with osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. “I don't think there's much public understanding of what it does to the body.”
By Kelsey Kloss
See answers to all of your questions about this antiviral pill — from how it works to side effects and more.
From prior authorizations to refills, find out the many ways a specialty pharmacist can help in your psoriasis treatment journey.
Protect your joints and maybe even shave some shots off your score with these doctor- and pro-recommended tips.
For Arthritis Awareness Month, we asked the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints community to share their public service announcements to highlight how arthritis impacts more than just your joints.
By Angie Ebba
"Today it isn’t my body keeping me in bed, but rather my brain," says patient advocate Angie Ebba. You see, in addition to these physical health conditions, I also live with complex PTSD and major depressive disorder, the symptoms of which can also be completely debilitating."
By Kelsey Kloss
The removal of mask mandates from public modes of transportation has left many high-risk patients feeling more vulnerable. Find out what steps you can take to stay safe if you're planning to travel.
By Diana Whelan
All isn’t lost when you have to say goodbye to your rheumatologist. Take these steps to find the next partner in your care.
By Angie Ebba
“With intuitive eating I no longer feel like I’m restricting myself. I no longer feel shame or guilt while eating, or like I’ve somehow failed myself. Rather I now know I’m loving myself and my body through my food choices,” says patient advocate Angie Ebba.
By Kelsey Kloss
Lack of access to care during the pandemic impacted pain intensity, functionality, and quality of life in those with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic lower back pain.
By Jae Walker
“I refuse to smash my emotions down inside myself so I can put on a happy face and make other people feel better. I will not pretend like I have learned a fantastic lesson when my body and my life are falling apart in this moment — I need time to cry and scream into a damn pillow," says patient advocate Jennifer Walker.
By Angie Ebba
"Instead of returning to the old normal, let’s create a new normal, a future that includes access and accommodations, and multiple ways of experiencing and moving through the world," says patient advocate Angie Ebba.
According to the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, lack of access and lack of doctor recommendations are among top reasons why patients aren't receiving Evusheld.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug, upadacitinib (Rinvoq), for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), making it the second JAK inhibitor approved for AS.
By Kelsey Kloss
Here’s what research says about how long COVID lung disease, mental health, brain fog, and more may impact people who are immunocompromised.
The greatest gift you can give a mom with arthritis is love, understanding, support, and rest — and here are a few more gift ideas to share with your loved ones.
Raising awareness, connecting with peers, promoting research, staying motivated, and setting boundaries are just a few of the many reasons why patient advocate Eileen Davidson shares her health struggles and wins on social media.
By CreakyStaff
Members of the CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) patient community shared their answers in a recent #CreakyChats.
The answer to this question can empower you to feel good about mask-wearing, even as others toss theirs aside, shares Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.
By Rachel Ellis
“A lot of people with physical disabilities don't understand chronic illness, and vice versa,” says rheumatoid arthritis and lupus patient Melanie Rivera Waldman, who lives with limb difference. “But I have the perspective of both.”
By Kelsey Kloss
It’s the first study to quantify the effectiveness of the vaccines for this population in a real-world setting.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll reveals that for the 20 percent of those who reported getting COVID since being vaccinated, fatigue, headache, and sinus congestion were the most common symptoms.
By Kelsey Kloss
Plus, why it’s perfectly okay not to “learn a lesson” at all.
By CreakyStaff
People often think of stress relief as yoga or journaling — but our patient community shared that their furry friends are perhaps the best remedy for managing the emotional and physical ups and downs of living with a chronic illness.
By Kelsey Kloss
You may have a sense of being left behind as the rest of the world returns to normal activities, but connecting with other immunocompromised patients may help you feel less alone.
By Rachel Ellis
"I hope my story humanizes the experience of having COVID for people," says disability advocate Tinu Abayomi-Paul, who lives with multiple chronic conditions and cancer. "Those of us at high risk aren’t abstract people you’ve never met. We’re people you know and love, and we might die because you won’t wear a mask."
While researchers find pausing methotrexate for two weeks resulted in more protection from the COVID vaccine, it also led to increased disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
By Lana Barhum
Do seasonal allergies seem to bring sneezing and sniffling as well as body aches, joint pain, and fatigue? Here are some possible reasons why — and how to best manage these symptoms.
The American Rheumatology Association offers new medication guidelines aimed to better balance the risk of flares and infection for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery.
By Kelsey Kloss
Here are the symptoms you may encounter — and what steps to take to set yourself up for the best health possible.
Our psoriasis warriors and mental health experts agree: You can't control the stares, but you can control your reaction and how you choose to respond.
The news shouldn’t stop you from taking your medication, but you should talk to your health care professional about how to best protect yourself.
The unpredictable nature of chronic illness can make staying confident a challenge — but these patient-approved confidence boosters can help you hold your head up higher.
By Kelsey Kloss
Plus, how to lower your risk if you’re around school-aged children.
Taking care of mental health may be important for achieving relief from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, and in turn, feeling better may help improve your mood and emotions.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, 90 percent of immunocompromised patients said they would continue to wear masks indoors in public settings —but they may be less strict when socializing with trusted loved ones.
By Susan Jara
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) physical therapist Zack Rogers, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, addresses arthritis-friendly exercises, modifications, safety tips, and more.
Patient advocate Zoe Rothblatt gets real about chronic pain — and how to take the power back when pain-free days mess with your emotions.
Eating healthy is crucial when you live with chronic illness — but rising grocery costs can make good nutrition feel like a challenge. To the rescue: A few smart shopping strategies and food swaps.
Researchers suspect inflammation may play a key role in both depression and psoriatic arthritis.
Now eligible for a fourth dose, immunocompromised people who got a third dose as part of their primary series last fall experienced improved protection from the coronavirus, CDC research shows.
By Kelsey Kloss
Plus, better ways to take care of your mental and physical health.
Immunosuppressant medications for inflammatory arthritis can reactivate the hepatitis B virus, which could cause liver damage. It’s important to know your hepatitis B status first.
Now eligible for a fourth dose, immunocompromised people who got a third dose as part of their primary series last fall experienced improved protection from the coronavirus, CDC research shows.
We’ve all had that moment when we’ve left the doctor’s office and realized we forget to ask a question or bring a topic. Here’s what patients and doctors say you can do about it.
By Kelsey Kloss
Learn the best way to test at home for COVID-19 infection, which is especially important if you're at increased risk for severe illness because of underlying health conditions.
By Angie Ebba
“I was overwhelmed,” says Angie Ebba, a person living with ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, and migraine. “Not only did I not feel well, but I also realized that meant for 20 days I would need to rely on others to help me with food, medications, and anything else I needed.”
By Kelsey Kloss
With mask mandates rolling back, it’s important to stay protected with a high-quality mask in crowded indoor public places if you’re at high risk for COVID complications. Here’s how to find free masks and make sure masks you purchase are not fake.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, 96 percent of respondents said they have already received their fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose within weeks of it being recommended.
These inspiring insights, usually learned the hard way, are the perfect reminder to treat yourself to self-love today — and every day.
There are many benefits of journaling for people with chronic illness, but what if arthritis or painful joints are making it hard to make this self-help activity a habit?
By CreakyStaff
These Global Healthy Living Foundation members — who live with a wide range of chronic illnesses — are sharing their stories and speaking up for fellow patients in marginalized communities who too often feel voiceless.
Living with a chronic illness, such as rheumatic disease, can make you feel like your body is out to get you. We asked mental health experts and patients to share what helps when you feel betrayed by your body.
By Rachel Ellis
“Disabled people aren’t often seen as the decision makers in their care, let alone younger disabled people,” says Derek Schmitz, who has cerebral palsy and spondyloarthritis. “But I’m the one living the experience in my body.”
By Jae Walker
Winter is hard — even downright cruel — on Jennifer Walker’s body, mind, and spirit. Here’s how they deal with the darkness.
This mint-based natural remedy isn’t a substitute for other arthritis treatments, but menthol may help with temporary pain relief for some people.
By Susan Jara
These simple stretches can help soothe pain and stiffness when it may feel challenging to even get up — let alone get moving.
Anxiety is up again for many people with chronic illness. It’s time to implement some basic techniques to quell your worry and increase your capacity to cope, says Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.
If you’re trying to eat better to help better manage your chronic disease, make sure to follow these practical and proven habits for better nutrition and easier meal prep.
By Kelsey Kloss
The findings support the need for extra vaccine doses and mitigation efforts in at-risk groups.
By CreakyStaff
Omicron is not mild and COVID is still very much a threat for people with high-risk medical conditions. Here, read immunocompromised patients’ pleas for everyone to stay vigilant.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, it’s clear that people who are high-risk because of underlying medical conditions are struggling to be understood and feel safe during the Omicron surge.
By CreakyStaff
We talked with rheumatoid arthritis patients and rheumatologists to find out how this shortage is physically and mentally impacting our community — and what to do if you can’t access Actemra right now.
By Kelsey Kloss
The findings underscore the need for preventive measures and chronic disease management in immunosuppressed adults — even after COVID vaccination.
By Susan Jara
As the CDC updates its mask guidance, patients are left with a few important facts and questions to consider about mask wearing.
By Kelsey Kloss
If you’re immunocompromised, you may be eligible for a fourth booster dose five months after your third dose. Here’s what to know.
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