Family planning while living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) stirs up a mix of hope, excitement, fear, and a thousand practical questions. While there are many questions around symptom severity and genetics of your children, the first pressing question is .. is getting pregnancy (realistically) possible? The research is limited but meaningful and points to something… Continue reading Getting Pregnant With Friedreich’s Ataxia: What Research Suggests
Multiple Sclerosis vs Friedreich’s Ataxia
Balance feels off. Walking starts to take more attention than it used to. Fatigue shows up like a weighted blanket without the calming effects. When these symptoms show up in your day to day, it can be hard to tell what is going on because more than one neurological condition can look similar on the… Continue reading Multiple Sclerosis vs Friedreich’s Ataxia
How to Prepare for Natural Disasters with a Chronic Condition
Natural disasters affect everyone, but they can be especially tough if you have a chronic medical condition. You might wonder, “Am I really prepared? What would I do?” Having a plan can give you peace of mind and help keep your family safe. Here are some practical tips to help those with chronic conditions get… Continue reading How to Prepare for Natural Disasters with a Chronic Condition
How to Talk to a Chatbot About Your Health
PatientsLikeMe now has a new A.I. Personal Health Navigator specifically trained to help people manage their health more effectively! Called Ella, this new interface is a great source of information for people to turn to when they have questions about treatments, symptoms, or roadblocks in their care. You may have noticed chatbots popping up across… Continue reading How to Talk to a Chatbot About Your Health
Friedreich’s Ataxia vs. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) are conditions that can affect walking, balance and the nerves in your arms and legs. They are both genetic and can present in childhood, teen years, or adulthood. So how do healthcare professionals tell the difference? Well, the difference depends where the problem is in the nervous system.… Continue reading Friedreich’s Ataxia vs. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Fertility Grants in 2026 and How to Apply
Struggling to build your family can leave you feeling isolated. A fertility journey is overwhelming and exhausting emotionally, physically, and financially. We understand the cost of infertility treatments like IVF, IUI, egg donation, and surrogacy can be a significant barrier for many hopeful parents. PatientsLikeMe has compiled a list of fertility treatment grants available to… Continue reading Fertility Grants in 2026 and How to Apply
Symptoms of Friedreich’s Ataxia
Friedreich’s ataxia rarely announces itself all at once. It begins with small changes that are easy to dismiss like stumbling, fatigue that doesn’t match activity level, or speaking slower than normal. Over time these signs can pile up without a clear explanation as to what is causing them even as they progress. This is why… Continue reading Symptoms of Friedreich’s Ataxia
Friedreich’s Ataxia Resources and Support Groups
It’s been 28 years since the frataxin (FXN) gene, which is linked to Friedreich’s Ataxia, was discovered and still Friedreich’s Ataxia often comes with more questions than answers. Parents, patients, and caregivers can feel isolated while learning about a condition in real time when many clinicians rarely see it. Beyond chasing a diagnosis, daily life… Continue reading Friedreich’s Ataxia Resources and Support Groups
6 Self-Care Tips For The Hectic Holiday Season
The holidays are stressful enough for people living without illness. When you have a health condition, or care for someone who does, the hustle and bustle of this time of year – plus the sky-high expectations for a magical time – can be physically and emotionally draining. We’ve rounded up self-care tips to help you… Continue reading 6 Self-Care Tips For The Hectic Holiday Season
Calming Racing Thoughts While Trying to Conceive
When you’re trying to conceive, it’s incredibly common for your mind to feel like it’s running a mile a minute. Racing thoughts, constant “what ifs,” and late-night Googling can quickly spiral into rumination. You might find yourself replaying past cycles, analyzing every symptom, or worrying about things that are completely out of your control. Those… Continue reading Calming Racing Thoughts While Trying to Conceive