Connected Rheumatology

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Ankylosing Spondylitis

Rheumatology Appointments, Morning Stiffness & Joint Pain

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Let’s delve into some crucial topics brought up by my newsletter readers: how to handle the wait for your rheumatology appointments, the mystery of morning stiffness, and dealing with joint pain. 

Palindromic Arthritis: A Closer Look

One of the most intriguing conditions I frequently encounter is palindromic arthritis. This type of inflammatory arthritis comes and goes, causing intense but short-lived joint inflammation and pain. It tends to affect the joints of your hands, fingers, knees, and shoulders. Unlike gout or CPPD (pseudogout), which can have similar symptoms, palindromic arthritis doesn’t involve crystals in the joint fluid. Instead, it affects the structures around the joint, like tendons and ligaments.

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Talking About Your Autoimmune Pain

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Living with an autoimmune disease often means navigating a world of chronic pain. This pain can be frustrating and hard to explain, which can make it difficult to communicate effectively with your doctor. If you’re feeling like your pain isn’t being understood or taken seriously, you’re not alone—let’s discuss some ways to bridge that gap.

Why Is Autoimmune Pain So Hard to Explain?

The pain experienced with autoimmune diseases can be incredibly complex. One reason it’s so difficult to describe is because pain itself is subjective—what feels like a 3 on the pain scale for one person might feel like an 8 for someone else. Plus, autoimmune-related pain isn’t always consistent. It can flare up, calm down, and then change location or intensity from one day to the next.

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HLA-B27: What It Means for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Arthritis

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If you’ve recently heard about the HLA-B27 test or had it done, you might be wondering what it really means for your health. It’s one of the many autoimmune tests that can be confusing—especially when you get a positive result and then hear your doctor say, “Oh, that doesn’t mean anything.” So, what exactly is HLA-B27, and why does it matter when it comes to arthritis and conditions like Ankylosing Spondylitis?

What Is HLA-B27?

HLA-B27 is a gene that produces proteins involved in your immune system. These proteins play a key role in helping your immune cells communicate with each other, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune response. Now, HLA-B27 is not the only gene involved in building a healthy immune system, but it has caught a lot of attention because of its connection to certain types of arthritis, especially Ankylosing Spondylitis.

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What the Sedimentation Rate Really Says

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If you’ve ever had a blood test and wondered what your ESR results mean, you’re not alone. The ESR, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is a common test used to check for inflammation in your body. But while it’s a useful tool, it doesn’t always paint the complete picture of your health. Let’s dive into what ESR is, what it can tell us, and why tracking it over time is so important.

What Is ESR?

ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It’s an inflammation marker that measures how quickly your red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over an hour. The faster they settle, the higher your sedimentation rate, which typically indicates more inflammation in your body.

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Transform Your Autoimmune Health with Small Diet Changes

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Managing an autoimmune condition can be challenging, and one of the most common questions asked is, “What should I be eating?” It’s a great question, and one that shows you’re ready to take charge of your health. Let’s dive into how your diet can make a big difference when you’re living with an autoimmune disease.

The Role of Diet in Autoimmune Disease

When you’re dealing with an autoimmune disease, your immune system is on overdrive, causing inflammation throughout your body. Inflammation is a natural body response but becomes overdramatic and inappropriate in autoimmune disease, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms. That’s where diet comes in.

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