Talking to Your Doctor About Sex & Chronic Illness

It may seem uncomfortable or embarrassing to contemplate, but if you're struggling with your sexual health - and your doctor hasn't proactively asked you about it - it's a good idea to try to initiate the conversation yourself.

This article has some things to keep in mind as you consider how to approach your doctor on this personal subject.

Talking to Your Doctor About Sex & Chronic Illness

Mamas Facing Forward

Book Review: Sex – Interrupted: Igniting Intimacy While Living With Illness or Disability

Even though chronic illness is quite common (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases) I've always had difficulty finding resources that addressed the impact chronic illness could have on relationships and intimacy. 

Now there’s a book that addresses that exact issue: Sex – Interrupted: Igniting Intimacy While Living With Illness Or Disability. Iris Zink, rheumatology nurse practitioner, and Jenny Thorn Palter, former editor of Lupus Now magazine, have written a book that recognizes the intimacy issues chronic illness patients often face and offers useful suggestions for healthcare providers and patients alike.

Click below to read my review of the book!

Book Review: Sex – Interrupted: Igniting Intimacy While Living With Illness or Disability

Mamas Facing Forward 

You can also visit www.intimacyandillness.com for more information. The first 50 people to purchase the book through their website will receive a free gift of a Pure Romance lubricant sample.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sex: Tips to Improve Intimacy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can make its way into every aspect of your life, including your sex life…You can still have a healthy sex life if you have RA…But you might have to find different ways that work best for you and your partner. 

WebMD

I was recently interviewed for the WebMD article linked below, which gives tips for improving intimacy while living with rheumatoid arthritis. I speak from personal experience when I say this is a topic where it used to be impossible to find positive, uplifting advice. That’s the reason I started speaking out on this very personal subject in the first place! It’s exciting to see this topic covered by a more mainstream health publication! Hopefully the article will help bring awareness that couples facing these challenges are not alone or unusual – and encourage people to reach out to their doctors for help if necessary.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sex: Tips to Improve Intimacy

WebMD

Tips for Parenting with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Parenting is tough – but rewarding – to start with. Throw in a chronic condition like RA, and that delicate balance between your self-care and your role as a parent can easily get thrown off. These tips and strategies can help you handle difficult days, manage your energy, and make meaningful memories with your family.

WebMD

I was recently interviewed for the WebMD article linked below, which gives tips for parenting while living with rheumatoid arthritis. Though the article focuses on RA, many of the tips mentioned would be applicable for other chronic illnesses as well!

I’ve always believed that parents living with chronic illness deserved more recognition and support – its why I started Mamas Facing Forward in the first place! So It’s exciting to see this topic covered by a more mainstream health publication. Hopefully this article will help other parents realize they are not alone – and find their way to us where we can continue supporting them!

Tips for Parenting With Rheumatoid Arthritis

WebMD

Healthline Live Town Hall: Healthcare Policy Edition

I recently had the opportunity to participate in Healthline's Live Town Hall: Healthcare Policy Edition. (Disclosure: I was compensated for my time and expertise.)

Americans are so stressed about healthcare services and costs these days. This Town Hall discussion featured healthcare industry officials and patient advocates to have a non-partisan discussion of the healthcare issues that matter most in the upcoming election. Check out the full Town Hall Discussion below.

I've heard patient advocates say "vote like your life depends on it" - because it does! 

Get out there and VOTE!

US Pain Foundation Multidisciplinary Care Panel

This morning I had the opportunity to participate in a panel for the US Pain Foundation. The panel featured patient advocates living with various types of chronic pain, and we discussed the need for access to multidisciplinary care, as well as the many, many barriers patients face in receiving the care they need.

You can see a recording of the discussion below!

My pain journey

A panel discussion with four individuals with chronic pain, moderated by CEO Nicole Hemmenway.

Posted by US Pain Foundation on Wednesday, September 30, 2020

12 Years of Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Has Taught Me Invaluable Life Lessons

RA has taught me invaluable lessons. Because of my varying pain and energy levels, I’ve learned to ask for help when I need it—it’s just one of the countless ways I've grown by living with RA. Here are a few more that I think may just help anyone living with RA or chronic pain.

Mariah Leach as told to Madeleine Burry

In this Woman's Day article, get to know the founder of Mamas Facing Forward as she shares her journey after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

12 Years of Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Has Taught Me Invaluable Life Lessons

Woman's Day

How I Am Staying Calm and Resilient during the Pandemic (or at Least Trying To!)

"For some of us, we no longer have access to daily help we rely on, whether that’s childcare or someone who helps with household tasks or, in my case, both. Many of us are missing routine appointments that help us manage life with RA, like physical therapy, massage therapy, exercise class, or talking to a therapist. And I know I’m not the only one who feels worried that COVID-19 represents extra risk for people living with chronic illness. For a lot of us, this pandemic has been a time of much-added stress and anxiety, so I wanted to share some of the things I am doing to help myself stay calm and resilient."

In this article, I share 5 things I am doing to try to stay calm and resilient during the pandemic.

How I Am Staying Calm and Resilient during the Pandemic (or at Least Trying To!)

RheumatoidArthritis.net

About IBD Podcast: I Evaluated What Was Really Important To Me

I was thrilled to be invited as a guest on Amber Tresca's About IBD Podcast. While I don't personally live with IBD, we talked about how the experiences of chronic illness patients have so much in common - regardless of the actual diagnosis - particularly when it comes to parenting with a chronic illness.

Amber asked me to share how being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis led to starting my blog, From This Point. Forward, which eventually led to the patient advocacy work I do today. It was my own experiences with pregnancy and motherhood that lead to creating the Mamas Facing Forward Facebook group and this website. We also chatted about how challenging life in quarantine can be, and I shared my plans for Stay Home Summer Camp - the first menu will be posted on Friday, May 22nd! I hope you'll take a listen!

Click here to listen to About IBD Podcast Episode 71: I Evaluated What Was Really Important To Me

Tips for Homeschooling during Quarantine from a Mom of 3

Around the world, parents and caregivers are finding themselves staring down the calendar at extended school closures – and even the possibility that schools won’t resume at all this year....As a mom of 3 small children – ages 7, 5, and 2 – who also works part-time from home, trying to figure out how I’ll manage my work and homeschooling is very overwhelming. And, as a mom living with rheumatoid arthritis, the challenges I face in managing my own health and energy levels make the situation even more complicated.

Mariah Leach, RheumatoidArthritis.net

In this article I offer 4 tips for homeschooling during COVID19 quarantine - including ways to build in mini-breaks for yourself!

Tips for Homeschooling during Quarantine from a Mom of 3

RhuematoidArthritis.net