Working with a Chronic Condition: Your Rights and Options for Sharing with Your Employer and Taking Leave

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Navigating Work with a Chronic Condition: Your Rights and Options Living with a chronic health condition can present unique challenges in the workplace. Many individuals find themselves struggling to balance their professional responsibilities with the unpredictable nature of their symptoms. If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. In fact,… Continue reading Working with a Chronic Condition: Your Rights and Options for Sharing with Your Employer and Taking Leave

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, often presents a complex puzzle for both patients and healthcare professionals. Accurately diagnosing Lupus can be challenging due to its diverse symptoms that mimic other illnesses. Given its complexity, you may be wondering: how is lupus diagnosed? There are a number of methods providers may use to determine that. Curious… Continue reading How is Lupus Diagnosed?

Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You?

You’ve noticed symptoms for a few weeks, maybe months or even since childhood. You visited doctor after doctor with no answer. Over time, the symptoms progress and may start to interfere with daily living. So you go to your doctor again, seeking some answers and solutions. But again, you don’t get a diagnosis or are… Continue reading Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You?

Confessions of a research study addict: “It’s powerful to use a devastating diagnosis for good.”

Elizabeth is a member of the 2018 Team of Advisors living with MS and a self-described research addict. Here’s what she had to say about her experience contributing to research and why “it’s powerful to use a devastating diagnosis for good.” I’ve always been a sucker for a focus group. Give me some free pizza… Continue reading Confessions of a research study addict: “It’s powerful to use a devastating diagnosis for good.”

Teaming up with LupusChick to boost chronic condition awareness

PatientsLikeMe is excited to announce a new partnership with “LupusChick,” Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana. She’s an influential blogger, advocate and advisor for the lupus and chronic condition community – and an all-around cool gal. Marisa grew up with various health issues and suffered serious injuries in April 2001 when she was run over as a pedestrian by… Continue reading Teaming up with LupusChick to boost chronic condition awareness

Checking in with member Bev – “Laughter and comedy are still a huge part of my health management.”

Remember Bev (YumaBev), who we met back in 2012, after she’d just had deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery? She told us about her blog Parkinson’s Humor and a book of stories from her blog, Parkinson’s Humor: Funny Stories about My Life with Parkinson’s. Well we recently caught up with her again to see how things… Continue reading Checking in with member Bev – “Laughter and comedy are still a huge part of my health management.”

“I have been empowered to face the challenges of my condition” – Member Deb shares her journey with type 2 diabetes

Meet Deb (optimisticrealist), a self-described optimist who found no challenge too daunting, exercised daily and maintained a healthy diet. We recently caught up with her and she told us how her type 2 diabetes diagnosis changed the way she thought about what it meant to be healthy. Learn more about Deb’s story and what she… Continue reading “I have been empowered to face the challenges of my condition” – Member Deb shares her journey with type 2 diabetes

“Listen to yourself.” Member Daniela opens up about life with MS and psoriasis

Daniela (DanielaO) is living with multiple sclerosis and psoriasis  in Puglia, Italy, and loves crafts, art history, music and traveling. She recently opened up to us about getting her first diagnosis at age 14, managing multiple conditions, and how connecting with others on PatientsLikeMe makes her feel “present and part of a whole.” Here’s what… Continue reading “Listen to yourself.” Member Daniela opens up about life with MS and psoriasis

Patients as partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part 2)

Earlier this week, member Peggy (peggyznd) illustrated the 2015-2016 Team of Advisors’ Partnership Principles by sharing how to advocate for yourself and work with your doctor in your diagnosis journey. Here, she talks about finding a specialist, questioning your diagnosis and switching doctors. Peggy reminds all patients play an active role in their health: “Be like the… Continue reading Patients as partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part 2)

Patients as Partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part I)

Last week, Team of Advisors member Jeff kicked off a series of conversations about the Partnership Principles with his thoughts on partnering better with your care team. Today, Peggy (peggyznd) digs deeper into one area where strong relationships are key: getting diagnosed.  Peggy draws from her own experience with kidney cancer and breast cancer to… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Member Peggy on the diagnosis journey (Part I)