Connected Rheumatology

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Fibromyalgia

Sjogren’s Symptoms: A New Approach

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When people think of Sjogren’s disease, they usually picture dry eyes and dry mouth. While those are classic symptoms, Sjogren’s is so much more than just dryness. It’s a systemic autoimmune condition, meaning it can affect your entire body—even in ways that aren’t obvious in lab tests or physical exams.

Fatigue, brain fog, and chronic pain are some of the most frustrating symptoms for people with Sjogren’s. Yet, these symptoms often go unnoticed or unaddressed because they don’t fall into the traditional treatment plan. If this sounds like your experience, it’s time to take a fresh look at your care strategy.

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Exercise for Fibromyalgia: How to Start

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Living with fibromyalgia can feel like your body has turned against you. Pain, fatigue, and unpredictability can make even the idea of exercise overwhelming. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of my patients with fibromyalgia feel the same way, especially if they’re worried about triggering a flare or feel like they’ve lost the ability to move the way they used to.

But here’s the truth: exercise is not just helpful—it’s essential for managing fibromyalgia. Let’s break down why movement matters, how it can actually help your symptoms, and, most importantly, how to get started in a way that feels doable.

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How to Handle Unwanted Autoimmune Advice

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When you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it feels like your world shifts overnight. You’ve got new doctors, new medications, and a long list of new symptoms to manage. But one of the most surprising parts of the whole journey? The flood of well-meaning, yet unsolicited, advice that starts pouring in. It’s like everyone you know suddenly becomes a health expert!

Dealing with this constant input can be tough, especially when you’re already navigating the complexities of your rheumatology care. But before you feel overwhelmed, let’s talk about how to sort through the noise and stay focused on what really matters—your health, your goals, and your well-being.

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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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