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[…]

31 Aug

Billy Mitchell Posted in Psoriasis

Essure Device and Arthritis

What you’re looking at here is an x-ray of a left foot in a peri menopausal woman with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). The joint I circled has a classic finding we call “pencil and cup deformity.” Her joint pain and swelling affects her wrist, an elbow, a few fingers and both feet in an asymmetrical fashion.Read more about Essure Device and Arthritis[…]

20 Jan

Billy Mitchell Posted in rheumatoid arthritis

Is it seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? Or is it something else?

Were you diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? First what does “seronegative” mean? What is seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? You have two labs your doc will run if he or she is suspicious or rheumatoid arthritis. Those labs are the RF and anti-CCP antibodies. Sufficienctly elevated levels of these antibodies confirm our history and physical exam findingsRead more about Is it seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? Or is it something else?[…]

02 Dec

Billy Mitchell Posted in rheumatoid arthritis

Got Rheumatoid Arthritis? Don’t forget your neck check!

When most folks think about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), its the swelling, pain and stiffness in the hands, feet, wrists and ankles that comes to mind. While that all happens, it’s important to recognize that RA encompasses so much more than that in not only the joint realm, but the rest of the body as aRead more about Got Rheumatoid Arthritis? Don’t forget your neck check![…]

16 Nov

Billy Mitchell Posted in Autoimmune

Livedo reticularis and what it could mean

What you’re looking at here is a lateral view of a knee. If you look carefully you can see something really interesting going on here. There you go. Is your nose touching your phone? Do you see it? This is called livedo reticularis. The blood flow in the smaller veins called venules thatRead more about Livedo reticularis and what it could mean[…]