Talking to doctors Archives | Page 3 of 11 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Does Each Joint Count with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

August 7, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 35 Comments Comprehensive RA Care, Talking to doctors

In the morning, I’m going to see the pain doc again about my neck, the one who took the place of Sir Topham Head when he moved away. They claim to only treat back pain, but that might be a good thing. When I was first diagnosed with RA, I met a woman at my church...Continue reading 35 Comments » Read more

Disparity Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients & Doctors over Disease Activity

August 3, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 42 Comments Measuring rheumatoid disease activity, Physician-patient discordance / disagreement, Talking to doctors

Will one more RA disparity study make a difference for patients? Discrepancy & Rheumatoid Arthritis: inseparable as thunder & lightning Discrepancy. A word I probably used three times during the first four decades of my life. And then came Rheumatoid Disease. This word is the shortest explanation for the reason RA Warrior exists. I was stunned by the...Continue reading 42 Comments » Read more

A Doctor-Patient Covenant: Medicine’s Future Found In Its Past

February 22, 2012May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 16 Comments Guest post on RA Warrior, Men with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Talking to doctors

The following article was written by David Biundo to his friends and fellow patients. The message came from a conversation he had with his doctor. I hope you’ll find it inspiring and enlightening as I do. The challenge of being believed One of the challenges that many patients with chronic illness face, is the treatment they receive...Continue reading 16 Comments » Read more

Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Is about Medical Care, Not Sympathy

January 20, 2012May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 18 Comments Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness, Rheumatoid Patient Foundation, Talking to doctors

My Bear had an appointment to see his terrific pediatrician today again about his swollen finger joints. She was home with a cold, but we waited an hour to see an alternate. The fellow didn’t seem to welcome my questions or opinions. I was in the familiar context of my pediatrician’s office – 6 years with...Continue reading 18 Comments » Read more

Keeper or Loser: I’m Not Giving Up, But What Do You Think?

December 17, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 141 Comments Professional patient, Talking to doctors

Warning: this is one of those rare personal posts specifically about my life, but I thought it was relevant to share. We have two endearing names for rheumatologists which I’ve coined over the years: rheum doc and The Wizard. Rheumatologists are the doctors who decide not to sneak out Osler’s infamous back door. I always give...Continue reading 141 Comments » Read more

Does It Matter Whether Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects DIP Joints?

November 9, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 64 Comments Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms, Talking to doctors

Arguments in rheumatology which are critical for patients Certain issues need to be settled in order to improve patient care for RA. Some things that have been “understood” or taught for years are wrong. These issues lead to inconsistencies in the practice of doctors who care for RA patients. Some of those issues have been taken head-on here...Continue reading 64 Comments » Read more

Is That Your Final Answer? …or Replying to Misconceptions

October 28, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 98 Comments Communicating about RA, Humor with RA, Talking to doctors

A day filled with misconceptions about Rheumatoid Arthritis / Disease I wrote this post weeks ago when it had just happened. I imagined responses that to misconceptions about rheumatoid arthritis are usually held back in polite conversation. Am I the only one who does that? What if it were a game show… It was a day filled...Continue reading 98 Comments » Read more