Comments on: Uncommon Chat with a Rheumatoid Arthritis Specialist, part 2

By: Hilda

Hilda — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:23:29 +0000

Having others that truly understands makes a world of a difference, I wish I had that support in the beginning. Now, I make it a point to help others who are newly diagnosed, I want them to learn from my mistakes.

By: Angie via facebook

Angie via facebook — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:30:21 +0000

I like when he says (in part 1) about seeing the smile on a patient’s face when they go into remission…. that is my wish for all of us.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:59:09 +0000

Yes, I thought of your comment as I saw my dr. today. She said her greatest concern w/my condition is that depression can set in when I do not see improvement for so long. I thought that was a good sign.

I added this: I think I’m not depressed because I have some others w/RA to talk to…& that helps me.

By: doctorakerkar

doctorakerkar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:37:02 +0000

Yes. AS is definitely a part of Rheumatology.

We call it a ‘poor cousin’ of RA; neglected despite its importance.
Approach wise, sulphasalazive & TNF alpha blockers have a much bigger role to play in AS vis a vis RA.

There are hardly any blogs on AS. I would like to include AS in my blog.

You can get in tocuh on twitter (http://twitter.com/doctorakerkar) for any specific queries. I would be happy to help you.

By: Hilda

Hilda — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:31:45 +0000

Wow, I loved this 2 part interview. I always wondered about the shortage of RA docs, now it all makes sense.
I also thanks Dr. Akerkar for acknowledging the importance of mental health being affected by a chronic disease such as RA. Not all Dr.’s understand how depression is a big part of living with RA.

By: URandomnessK

URandomnessK — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:22:10 +0000

Doctor Akerkar: Thank you so very much for all of your help, dedication and support for all of us. I was wondering if you see patients with AS and if so, does your treatment approach differ any? I suffer from AS and it is very rare that I find people out there who have ever heard of Ankylosing Spondylitis before nor are there blogs for this disease. I would love to learn more from you. Best of wishes!

By: doctorakerkar

doctorakerkar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:11:15 +0000

Thanks Kelly & everyone for all the appreciation.

You can continue visiting arthritissupportboard (www.arthritissupportboard.com/) & the blog (http://doctorakerkar.wordpress.com/)for all the RA related information & the latest scientific information that would help you manage your RA.

I am looking forward to rheumatology web 3.0 wherein, I would like to help RAers with their problems with online tools. The first endeavor in this is an online tool to help those with persistent complaints despite the DMARDs —‘My Rheumie says my RA is well controlled, but I keep having persistent pain’ This tool would have a set of questions would guide one to a possible cause which can then be discussed with one’s Rheumie. I plan to have numerous such tools down the way.

I’m sure that this is the road ahead to provide online interactive solution to the needy in consultation with their Rheumies. I hope you would help me in this endeavor.

Take charge of your RA; we (as Rheumatologists) would be a good guide & help you with your problems, online & otherwise.

By: Taffy

Taffy — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:31:02 +0000

I enjoyed this second half of the interview as well. Thank you Kelly. Very interesting to hear the views of a caring rheumatologist.

By: Krista K

Krista K — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:56:02 +0000

Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the interview. I enjoyed reading. I did chuckle to myself over the cow urine. In my area, bee stings are a big thing – everyone with RA, MS or anything else auto-immune related are doing it! (not me! I will stick with my shots!). Some are getting 30 – 40 bee stings at a time. They are saying it’s working…. They did just start an RA/fibro support group in my dinky little town. Meets at the end of Feb for the first time. Can’t wait to see if I’m the only relatively young person there…

By: JulieRobbins

JulieRobbins — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:46:22 +0000

Cow urine is a new one! LOL… What a great interview with an enlightened RA doc. It’s astounding that his patient load is 60+ patients a day though. He sounds like a very caring doc but with that kind of load, it makes one wonder how soon he’ll experience “burn-out”. I’m blessed with a great rheumy, and I’ll share this with him as I think he’ll find it very interesting. Thanks again Kelly for your great work.