Connected Rheumatology

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Archives for September 2024

Filing Disability with an Autoimmune Disease

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Getting an autoimmune diagnosis is life-changing in almost every way. Your future can go from looking clear and bright to fuzzy and dark. Not only do patients have to navigate new symptoms, frequent doctor’s visits and test but they also have to figure out if and how they will continue to work. Deciding to apply for disability is never an easy decision and the process doesn’t help!

When to Consider Disability

Most of the time, the question of disability comes up when people are first diagnosed with an autoimmune disease like RA or Lupus. When you’re first diagnosed, you’re often feeling quite ill because you’re not yet on any treatment. Things can get clearer once you know what you’re dealing with and have a treatment plan, but very few treatments work overnight as it can take months for inflammation to calm down. 

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How to tell if the autoimmune info on the internet is right

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Navigating the world of autoimmune diseases and rheumatology can be tricky, especially with the abundance of information available online. How do you know what’s trustworthy and what’s not? Here are some key tips to help you distinguish reliable sources from the rest.

Verify Provider Qualifications

In today’s digital age, you can easily search for healthcare providers online. But how do you ensure they have the right credentials? The term “doctor” can mean many things, and not all doctors are medical physicians. You might come across chiropractors, naturopaths, or PhDs who use the title “doctor.”

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Raynaud’s Treatments to Ease Discomfort

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If you’ve ever experienced those uncomfortable episodes where your fingers turn white, then blue, then red, you’re not alone. Raynaud’s affects millions of people worldwide, and understanding how to manage it can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

What is Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition where the blood vessels in your fingers, toes, and sometimes other extremities overreact to cold or stress, causing them to spasm and restrict blood flow. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain, and in severe cases, tissue damage.

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Methotrexate – Everything You Need to Know

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If you’ve been handed a prescription for this medication, chances are you’re feeling a mix of emotions – curiosity, apprehension, maybe even a little fear. Well, fear not! Today, we’re going to unpack everything you need to know about methotrexate, its role in rheumatology, and how it can help you tackle those pesky autoimmune symptoms head-on.

Understanding Methotrexate’s History

Methotrexate may sound like a mouthful, but it’s been a cornerstone of autoimmune treatment for decades. Back in the late 1940s, its predecessors were first used to combat leukemia in children – and thankfully they were effective! Methotrexate then made its debut into Rheumatology with successful use in rheumatoid arthritis and then later psoriasis. 

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Finding Relief: How To Use Sleep For Fibromyalgia Pain

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Living with fibromyalgia can feel like an uphill battle, can’t it? The constant pain, the overwhelming fatigue – it’s enough to make anyone feel defeated. But what if I told you that there is already something in your house that can make a huge difference?

The Overlooked Solution: Sleep

Here’s the thing: research shows that poor sleep quality is closely linked to increased pain and may even cause fibromyalgia symptoms. That means if you’re not getting the restorative sleep your body needs, you could be setting yourself up for even more pain and fatigue. We also know that treatments are less likely to help if you have night after night of poor sleep. 

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