Chronic Illness Advice

A collection of lessons and tips on living with chronic illness from myself and guest authors.

Have a story to tell or advice to give? Contact me to become a guest author.

April 13, 2026

Ellen McDowell

Can Diet Cure RA?

If rheumatoid arthritis could be cured by diet, your doctor would prescribe that first — and your insurance company would likely refuse to cover a $10,000-a-month biologic until you proved that diet..

February 7, 2026

Ellen McDowell

What Is a Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare?

For a long time, I struggled to explain to people what was actually happening to my body during a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare.I knew what it felt like — the pain, the stiffness, the...

April 13, 2026

Ellen McDowell

How to Get Through a Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare

If you’re newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), waiting for medication to kick in, or not on treatment yet, and you find yourself stuck in a severe, prolonged flare, this post is for you...

April 13, 2026

Ellen McDowell

5 Things to Do If You Have a Chronic Illness & Want a Child

The reality is that many people don’t think very hard about having children. They decide (or life decides for them), they do it, and life works itself out. I can respect that approach, but chronic...

March 27, 2025

Ellen McDowell

My Journey with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Remission

It all started in the fall of 2010, during my freshman year of college. I noticed an unusual stiffness in my hands while walking with a friend one evening. I joked about it, not realizing this would..

December 13, 2024

Stella Paukku

Unpacking the Grief of Chronic Illness

Grief is something we’d typically associate with the death of a loved one, but it’s a set of emotions we can feel in response to any loss. Chronic illness is a loss. It’s a loss of a healthy body...

April 13, 2026

Ellen McDowell

Similarities Between Chronic Illness & Parenting

There are quite a few similarities between living with a chronic illness and the experience of parenthood. While these experiences are vastly different, almost like comparing apples and oranges...

March 27, 2025

Deborah Romero

Navigating Sexuality with Disabilities

I was recently talking to a loved one and was surprised by their sincere curiosity about my sexuality. This loved one knows how difficult my life has been struggling with the physical challenges...

March 27, 2025

Ellen McDowell

Parenting with Chronic Illness: Advice from Real Parents

One of the most difficult questions someone with a chronic illness can face is the question of parenthood. Millions of questions, doubts, and insecurities flood our mind when we start thinking of...

February 28, 2026

Ellen McDowell

How to Despair Well

In 2013, I was three years into living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and also living alone for the first time. Until this point, I'd always had roommates or family living with me, and with all my...

March 13, 2024

Ellen McDowell

ASMR as a Pain Reliever for Rheumatoid Arthritis

While many know ASMR for its ability to induce tingling sensations and relaxation, its potential as a pain reliever, sleep aid, and anxiety reducer for RA patients is often overlooked...

February 7, 2026

Ellen McDowell

Your RA Flare Starter Pack

If you're just beginning your RA journey, there are some products that I would argue you absolutely need. You'll need them because even though they won't take away your pain or symptoms, they will...

April 13, 2026

Ellen McDowell

4-Step Plan for Flares

I've got to give my husband credit for this entire post. You see, I'm a Taurus: lazy at heart, not much of a planner, carefree to the point of self-sabotage. Thankfully, I married a Virgo moon...

February 7, 2026

Ellen McDowell

4 Ways to Simplify Your Life in a Chronic Illness Flare

It's week two of a horrible flare. You're sleep deprived and feel like a shell of your normal self. There are some things that just don't matter when you're in survival mode, but they aren't always...

May 24, 2024

Ellen McDowell

4 Ways to Effectively Communicate with Your Doctor

I've dealt with social anxiety for most of my life. When I started seeing a rheumatologist regularly, I struggled to effectively communicate. I was afraid of talking too much, saying the wrong...

Contact

Have questions about Flare Family? Need advice about living with Rheumatoid Arthritis? I'm here to connect with you and answer your questions!

Are you a writer? Do you have a story to tell or advice to give? I'm always looking for guest authors. If you're interested in writing a blog post for Flare Family, contact me via email or this form.

ellen@flarefamily.com

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the ra flare tracker

Forget to track flares? So do we.

Brain fog, ADHD, and busy days make tracking hard. Most flare tracking apps on the market work against the reality of life with RA.

We created an app that lets you log flares anytime, even long after they happen.

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🔥 Add past and current flares

🔥 Keep entries simple or detailed

🔥 See your RA patterns clearly

🔥 Track effectiveness of treatments

🔥 and more...

Explore the app