Talking to doctors Archives | Page 2 of 11 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Inside Story of a Young Person Living with Juvenile Rheumatoid

November 1, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 53 Comments Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Talking to doctors

Today’s blog is my response to an email from a reader about an appointment with her daughter’s rheumatologist. This family travels for hours to see an expert pediatric doctor in one of the best hospitals in the country. Hi Kelly! I guess when they say all good things must come to an end, IT'S TRUE :( I can't...Continue reading 53 Comments » Read more

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treat to Target

October 27, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 2 Comments Measuring rheumatoid disease activity, Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, Talking to doctors

The treat to target (T2T) approach involves defining a treatment goal or “target” and modifying the therapy if the target is not reached. Treating to a target of remission or low disease activity Treat to target (T2T) is an approach to treating Rheumatoid Arthritis / Rheumatoid Disease (RD) that combines aggressive or intensive treatment with disease modifying...Continue reading 2 Comments » Read more

Do Patients Know Enough to Talk about Medical Topics?

October 10, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 20 Comments e-patient, Talking to doctors

The e-patient movement The movement for prepared, engaged patients and shared decision-making is international. It is recognized and supported by people in positions of power at many levels. Organizations, think tanks, and government agencies study the movement, often supporting it in an effort to advance care, reduce mortality, and lower costs. It is not patients versus...Continue reading 20 Comments » Read more

What Would the Car Mechanic Say If You Didn’t Look Sick?

August 26, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 56 Comments e-patient, Talking to doctors

This just doesn’t happen: You take the car to a mechanic and he looks out the window across the showroom and says, “Your car looks fine to me. The paint is still shiny. It’s not very old.” All of our cars are pretty old so the guys at the local Firestone shop know us pretty well....Continue reading 56 Comments » Read more

Livedo reticularis diagnosis – she knelt next to me with a medical textbook

May 9, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 25 Comments Professional patient, Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms, Talking to doctors

See PART 1 to learn more on Livedo reticularis in rheumatoid disease Last week was one of those professional patient weeks, with three doctor’s appointments and a lab visit. “Professional patient” is not something I happily say. It started out in 2009 as a tongue in cheek way to make the most of an annoying phenomenon –...Continue reading 25 Comments » Read more

Inadequate & stupid? No, just a victim of someone’s training

April 18, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 102 Comments Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms, Talking to doctors

I don’t know where I’ll find the courage to write this. Some stories – my own or others’ – I’ve saved for a book (I’m working on a couple). At first I think, what will happen if I tell this? Then I realize it must be told, because it’s not my story – it’s the...Continue reading 102 Comments » Read more