The Dilemma of lab testing in rheumatology and chronic illness

The Dilemma of lab testing in rheumatology and chronic illness

What you’re looking at here are autoantibody results, diagnosis – lupus and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Her symptom cluster? A smoldering process cruising along for decades, with interspersed crashes along the way. Vague… flu like symptoms, odd skin sensations, episodic chest pain, widespread pain. Geez… it could be anything! Her physical exam is unrevealing, her other laboratoryRead more about The Dilemma of lab testing in rheumatology and chronic illness[…]

Eileen Laird and her story in making the decision to start medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Eileen Laird and her story in making the decision to start medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Some of my own rambling here… An incredibly difficult decision made by those wrestling autoimmune disease is committing to medications. While some make the decision without hestitation, it is important to recognize and respect different neurotypes, philosophies, traditions and preferences. Additionally, the overwhelming amount of information we have at our fingertips with the internet, theRead more about Eileen Laird and her story in making the decision to start medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis[…]

Hyper-empathy hurts… is it in the way of your remission?

Hyper-empathy hurts… is it in the way of your remission?

One of my observations so far as a clinician has been that many women on the autoimmune and hypermobility spectrum trend more towards hyper-empathy. What do we mean when we refer to the hyper-empath? The ability to express empathy occurs on a spectrum from low to high, the result of a number of different factors…Read more about Hyper-empathy hurts… is it in the way of your remission?[…]