New research suggests that people may underestimate women’s pain level, while overestimating the pain level of men. Additionally, women’s pain is more likely to be attributed to psychological issues, whereas men’s will be attributed to physical issues.
India is experiencing its second wave of COVID-19 infections, with daily cases in the hundred thousands. Here’s how you can raise money and awareness for the country.
By CreakyStaff
Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which is used to treat rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions, may be in short supply. Here’s what to know about the issue and what to do if you can’t get your sulfasalazine prescription.
A new, small study found that patients taking biologic treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) had a positive antibody response after receiving both doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
By Kelsey Kloss
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in 12- to 15-year-old children. Should your child get the vaccine if they are immunocompromised? Here’s what parents of children with juvenile arthritis should know.
By Kelsey Kloss
If you’re immunocompromised, it’s important to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and to be surrounded by people who are vaccinated as well. This can lead to difficult conversations with loved ones who are hesitant or unwilling to get the vaccine. Here’s advice on how to handle it.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, the vast majority of respondents said they have not had caregivers attend in-person or virtual medical appointments during the pandemic.
By Kelsey Kloss
Experts hope these effective treatments will be used more frequently by high-risk patients, including those who are immunocompromised.
In a new analysis of 52 studies, researchers found that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and gout may have a higher stroke risk than that of the general population.
As people rush to return to “normal” Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, shares her advice for rethinking your priorities in a post-pandemic world.
By Kelsey Kloss
The recommendations for mask wearing are becoming more lax, but people with compromised immune systems may need to continue standard mitigation efforts.
By Kelsey Kloss
Preliminary research from Israel has indicated that a small number of patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases developed shingles after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but more research is needed to prove causation. Here’s what you should know.
Many comparisons have been made throughout the pandemic between the coronavirus and the flu. Now, a new study shows that people with autoimmune diseases who were admitted to a hospital for COVID-19 were more likely to deal with respiratory complications and death than those who were admitted for the flu.
By Kelsey Kloss
Experts believe the research into this topic will lead to a better understanding of autoimmunity.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, the vast majority of respondents said they believe virtual and social distance options will remain available as society enters a new “normal,” but they are concerned that there will be fewer of them.
In a new study that analyzed the records of more than 230,000 COVID-19 patients, researchers found that one in three COVID-19 patients experienced a psychiatric or neurological illness, including anxiety, insomnia, and stroke.
By Susan Jara
From expert-backed tips to must-have assistive devices, here are some ways to reduce arthritis pain and discomfort when you’re getting dressed for the day.
By Susan Jara
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way rheumatology patients communicate with their doctors and manage their health. But it’s important to know when to use a telehealth visit vs. when you need to see the doctor in person.
By Susan Jara
If you’ve been worried about going to a doctor’s office in person, it’s important to know the steps that rheumatology practices are following to keep patients safe from coronavirus exposure.
Although telehealth rheumatology has improved appointment attendance rates among patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) during the pandemic, researchers found that virtual care may lead to delayed diagnoses and treatment.
A new study found that patients with COVID-19 who had high blood sugar levels were more likely to be admitted to need intensive care and have a higher risk of dying than those with normal blood sugar levels.
By CreakyStaff
Although a thorough safety review has determined that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is safe, people with certain chronic diseases may still have special concerns, given their medical history and risk factors for blood clots.
By Kelsey Kloss
Is it safe to travel if you’re fully vaccinated but have an autoimmune or inflammatory disease or take immunosuppressant medication? Here’s what experts say, plus tips for staying safe if you travel.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently asked states to temporarily stop using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving reports of rare but serious blood clots. We curated insights from experts to help shed light on what this news means.
As people rush to return to “normal,” Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, shares her advice for handling the mix of emotions you may be feeling.
By CreakyStaff
A new study looked at antibody levels in people with inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, after they received the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what patients need to know.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, more than 75 percent of patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine feel hopeful about the future. But anxiety still looms, as well as for people who have not yet received any doses of the vaccine.
Although telehealth could greatly benefit people in rural areas who have less access to doctors, telemedicine care during the COVID-19 pandemic was commonly used among people who have high incomes and/or live in metropolitan areas.
Mood disorders commonly coexist with chronic physical health ailments, and new research suggests depression and anxiety might make it harder for PsA patients to achieve minimal disease activity (MDA).
By Kelsey Kloss
Most rheumatologists and public health experts urge people with axial spondyloarthritis (which includes ankylosing spondylitis) to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
By Kelsey Kloss
There are risks in trying to interpret these antibody tests yourself, because even doctors aren’t sure what the results could mean.
By Jae Walker
It’s not okay to ignore the concerns of immunocompromised people throughout the pandemic — and then turn around and claim to have a chronic illness in order to access the vaccine.
A new study evaluated the medication use and fracture occurrence of people with rheumatoid arthritis, and found a correlation between PPIs, glucocorticoids, and fracture risks.
In one of the first studies to look at the impact of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines on people with chronic inflammatory diseases, researchers found patients were able to produce a sufficient amount of antibodies with relatively minimal side effects.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, more than 40 percent of respondents said they will continue social distance and wear masks around other fully vaccinated loved ones.
By Kelsey Kloss
It’s not a reason to start using aspirin or to stop following standard COVID-19 mitigation efforts, but it does call for future studies to investigate the role aspirin plays in COVID-19.
A new study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were more likely to have complications after a heart attack than people who did not have RA.
By Kelsey Kloss
Most rheumatologists and public health experts want people living with rheumatic diseases like psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to get the vaccine as soon as they can.
By Kelsey Kloss
Most rheumatologists and public health experts want people living with rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to get the vaccine at the soonest opportunity.
Although people with asthma should still exercise caution when it comes to COVID-19, new research suggests that asthma alone is not associated with COVID-19 complications.
A new study found that cognitive behavioral talk therapy may treat sleep issues in people dealing with osteoarthritis and insomnia.
By Kelsey Kloss
The main message: Get whichever vaccine is available to you first.
A new study suggests that NSAIDs, a common osteoarthritis pain treatment, could be making symptoms worse. But more research is needed.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, more than 40 percent of patients surveyed said they wear two masks at the same time for better COVID-19 protection. Most started doing so within the last two months.
By Kelsey Kloss
It may not be time to ease up on your COVID-19 mitigation efforts quite yet.
Higher pain sensitivity in either ankylosing spondylitis or non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis is associated with having worse disease and health outcomes, which shows there’s an unmet need for better pain management for all axial spondyloarthritis patients.
This finding adds more to a growing body of evidence that people should keep taking their autoimmune and rheumatic disease medications throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
By Kelsey Kloss
Rheumatologists and public health experts are urging most autoimmune and immunocompromised patients to get vaccinated as soon as they can. If you have concerns, consider discussing these questions with your doctor for reassuring answers.
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is not exactly a household name, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment for this often-debilitating back pain. Being aware of inflammatory back pain and other symptoms may help you get to a faster diagnosis and better quality of life.
The key takeaway of this study is really that rheumatic patients with lower disease activity seem to fare better than those in high disease activity if they contract COVID-19.
By Jae Walker
Texas is my home and has my heart — so why can’t it use common sense and work harder to keep chronic illness patients like me safe during the pandemic?
By Kelsey Kloss
Here’s what rheumatologists and other specialists are telling their patients about getting the vaccine even during higher than usual disease activity.
By Kelsey Kloss
The second dose appears to have less of a booster effect on these individuals, studies show.
By CreakyStaff
Public health experts and doctors want most people with autoimmune conditions, who are immunocompromised, or who take immunosuppressant medication to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what you need to know.
By Kelsey Kloss
The real-world results from the first 14 million vaccine doses administered in the U.S. are reassuring for patients, especially those who have concerns about side effects.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about patients’ ability to access the COVID-19 vaccine so far and whether they believe the process has been fair.
By Kelsey Kloss
Experts say the most important thing is to simply get the COVID-19 vaccine if it’s available to you.
The hands are one of the earliest and most common areas affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Here’s what to look out for, and what you can do about it.
The medication, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, already had a boxed warning for blood clots, infection, and certain cancers. Now more research is needed to understand potential additional risks.
By Kelsey Kloss
Researchers are finding more evidence that many recovering coronavirus patients go on to experience symptoms that last for months and may need additional long-term treatments.
By Kelsey Kloss
Your level of risk may have less to do with your autoimmune disease and more to do with the type of medication you take for it, according to a recent study.
By CreakyStaff
Pausing methotrexate after getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help increase your immune system’s response to the vaccine, but this decision should be made on a case-by-case basis with you and your doctor.
By Kelsey Kloss
Tighter-fitting masks offer more protection against coronavirus germs, research shows. And doubling up on masks is a good way to ensure your face masks fit more snugly to better prevent COVID-19.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about patients’ main questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially those related to being immunocompromised.
By CreakyStaff
If you have a form of autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis or take immunosuppressant medication, chances are you’ve had questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, including the third dose. Here are some answers from the American College of Rheumatology.
By Kelsey Kloss
New research shows the psychological impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on those with rheumatic diseases.
COVID-19 has raised awareness of the risks of complications for immunocompromised people, but it’s not the only infection risk we need to watch out for.
The coronavirus can cause considerable neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric problems. Here’s what you need to know about these consequences.
By Kelsey Kloss
A new small study underscores the importance of researching autoimmunity and its potential role in long-hauler symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is common in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), but it’s also not a permanent condition. Here’s what researchers found about the connection between fibro and axSpA.
By Kelsey Kloss
From navigating delays in vaccine rollouts to monitoring for more severe side effects after your second shot, here’s your guide to the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
By CreakyStaff
Knowing more about how RA affects your heart — and what you can do to lower your risk — can keep you healthy and even save your life. Test your knowledge here.
A new study found that obese patients most likely to become infected, and that COVID-19 increased the risk for flares.
The medication helped improve kidney function in people with lupus nephritis significantly compared with those taking a placebo.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about whether people have asked their health care providers about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
By Kelsey Kloss
The rule of thumb is that even if you’re immunocompromised or living with chronic disease, you don’t necessarily need to take more or different precautions against the new variant — but it’s more important to follow the precautions you already know.
By CreakyStaff
Having a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis means a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but a new survey of CreakyJoints members reveals that many people with RA don’t know about this issue and aren’t talking about it with their doctors.
Having rheumatoid arthritis raises your risk of heart disease, but getting certain tests to keep tabs on risk factors and symptoms can help you stay healthy.
People with rheumatoid arthritis have nearly a 50 percent greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. But there’s a lot you can do in your daily life to protect your heart and stay healthy.
People with rheumatoid arthritis have nearly a 50 percent greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Knowing the different factors that can affect your heart disease risk is the first step in lowering it.
In a recent study, the biologic medications tocilizumab (Actemra) and sarilumab (Kevzara) benefited very sick COVID-19 patients. But other research is conflicting.
By Kelsey Kloss
This winter, we’re facing an intersection of several potential mental health risks — all of which may be exacerbated if you’re living with chronic illness.
By Kelsey Kloss
However, researchers note that it’s still imperative to be vigilant to avoid getting COVID-19 if you have a rheumatic disease.
By Kelsey Kloss
People with severely weakened immune systems may be involved in the spread of new coronavirus variants. Here, experts explain what this means and what to know if you have an autoimmune condition.
New research showed that women with type 2 diabetes or obesity who were taking metformin had a lower risk of dying from COVID-19.
By Kelsey Kloss
Here’s what you need to know about the current guidance and potential risks of getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve had allergic reactions to infused or injectable medication.
Is it safe to have knee, hip, or other joint replacement surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic? Here’s what to expect from orthopedic surgeons and fellow patients who have been through these procedures.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about participants’ thoughts on getting a COVID-19 vaccine now that they are rolling out across the U.S. and around the world.
By Kelsey Kloss
From the steps to take immediately after your COVID vaccination to how to protect yourself for months beyond, here is your plan of action.
By CreakyStaff
“Getting the vaccine was the best choice for my personal circumstances,” says Kristen Schlichting, who acknowledges that the level of COVID-19 risk she is exposed to as an eye surgery nurse certainly influenced her decision to get it sooner rather than later.
By CreakyStaff
Rituximab is a biologic medication that treats rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions by depleting B cells, which are an important part of how the immune system responds to vaccines.
By Kelsey Kloss
It may feel like every day is blending together, but some easy strategies can help you stay on track with your pills or injectables.
The coronavirus may initially affect your respiratory tract, but COVID-19 can have serious cardiovascular consequences. Here’s what you need to know to keep your heart healthy.
By CreakyStaff
Although people who are on immunosuppressant medications were not included in clinical trials for the vaccines, we’re going to have more insights soon about how patients with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions fare after being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Significantly more men than women saw an improvement in their disease activity a year after starting a biologic, but more research is needed to understand why.
By CreakyStaff
“For me, it goes back to trusting science and knowing that this is the only way we’re going to get our life back,” says Brenda Kleinsasser, who lives in the coronavirus hotspot state of North Dakota.
“We tend to shy away from talking about our challenges, especially when we know others out there are doing far worse,” says rheumatoid arthritis patient Eileen Davidson. “But I am a firm believer in self-expression and speaking up about our troubles. We shouldn’t suffer in silence.”
A head-to-head study looked at how RA patients who didn’t do well on their first biologic fared when they switched to either upadacitinib (Rinvoq) or abatacept (Orencia).
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about loneliness and how people are coping with it.
When compared with patients taking acetaminophen and/or codeine, those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were not more likely to become infected with the novel coronavirus.
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