Most people look forward to their first cup of coffee every morning. In fact, 62% of U.S adults drink coffee regularly. The routine of having that first cup; the strong aroma, taste, and the feeling you get when you take the first sip is a moment of peace, celebration and energy all at once. But… Continue reading Is Caffeine Causing Your Anxiety?
Category: Patient Experiences
Lessons Learned on a Seventeen Year Journey to Diagnosis
Meet Trisha (@DXMS06) Before Trisha Bordelon, a 69-year-old PatientsLikeMe (PLM) user from Springfield, Missouri, officially received any diagnosis, she was guilty of what many of us in her shoes would do – spend hours going down a rabbit hole of internet searches to try and figure out what was going on with her health. She… Continue reading Lessons Learned on a Seventeen Year Journey to Diagnosis
The Surprising Benefits of Summer for Your Psoriasis
7.5 million Americans and 125 million people worldwide are living with psoriasis. Some factors can make the summer months challenging for people with psoriasis, including dry air conditioning, increased sweating, and feeling self-conscious about exposing your skin. However, it is not all bad news – the summer also provides a few surprising ways to improve your… Continue reading The Surprising Benefits of Summer for Your Psoriasis
Taking Control of Your Health Data and Why It Matters
While the healthcare industry has attempted a more patient-centric approach over the last 20 years, consumers today demand even more from companies, led in large part by the transformation of traditional retail consumer experiences, such as Amazon and Uber. As a result, better patient outcomes are starting to become expected rather than just wished or… Continue reading Taking Control of Your Health Data and Why It Matters
4 Theme Park Tips for Physically Disabled People
Roller coasters, water slides, tilt-whirls, and Ferris wheels are all exciting ways to spend your summer afternoon, but when you use a wheelchair, these options might not be accessible to you. This does not mean that you should cancel your next trip to a theme park. In fact, The American Disabilities Act has set an… Continue reading 4 Theme Park Tips for Physically Disabled People
BYO-BBQ: Navigating a Cookout with Dietary Restrictions
If you have a chronic condition, enjoying summertime social events like backyard BBQs can be challenging. The burgers, pasta salads, and custom cocktails are often tempting, but they can trigger your symptoms and lead to health flair-ups. Good news – your dietary restrictions do not have to end all your fun. With just a little… Continue reading BYO-BBQ: Navigating a Cookout with Dietary Restrictions
From Lupus Diagnosis to Fearless Patient Advocate
Meet Alyshia Alyshia Merchant was always healthy, but as a busy mom, she did experience fatigue from time to time. However, it wasn’t until she was out to dinner in 2012 when the early signs of her condition became more apparent. Her friends pointed out a rash that had spread across her cheeks and nose.… Continue reading From Lupus Diagnosis to Fearless Patient Advocate
How to Tell Friends and Family About a Difficult Diagnosis
Receiving a difficult diagnosis can leave you with a mix of complex emotions and saying it out loud to others makes it feel even more real. Sharing your illness with friends, family members, and acquaintances can be as challenging as getting the news yourself in the first place. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to… Continue reading How to Tell Friends and Family About a Difficult Diagnosis
Lupus Advocate and PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors Member, Juana Mata
“Living with lupus [a systemic autoimmune disease] is difficult. I thrive by staying positive,” says 2019 Team of Advisors member, Juana (@Juanymata). Advocating on behalf of lupus patients like herself is one key way Juana stays positive. Off and Running Only months after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, Juana Mata and her two sisters formed a team to… Continue reading Lupus Advocate and PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors Member, Juana Mata
ASMR – The Phenomenon Everyone’s Whispering About
Chills. Goosebumps. Tingles. “Autonomic sensory meridian response” or ASMR is described as a pleasurable wave of calm that comes to some people during exposure to gentle actions and/or sounds: think whispering, tapping fingernails or turning pages. These ordinary audio and visual triggers can inspire a deeply soothing effect on many people – making ASMR potentially… Continue reading ASMR – The Phenomenon Everyone’s Whispering About