How to Talk to Your Doctor About Sex and RA
Rheumatologists don’t always bring up the topic of how RA affects sex, so you may have to. WHich can seem daunting. In my new column for HealthCentral, I share tips for starting a conversation with your doctor about how RA affects your sex life: “WHEN YOU HAVE rheumatoid arthritis (RA) it affects all aspects of…
Think You Might Have Rheumatoid Arthritis? How to Prepare for Your First Appointment with a Rheumatologist
The waiting period to see a rheumatologist for the first time can be really long in Canada. In my new article for the Canadian CreakyJoints site, I look at how you can prepare to improve the appointment and start building a relationship with your doctor: “The waiting period between hearing from your family doctor you…
#TalkOverRA: Pro Tip to Help Your Rheumatologist Understand Your Pain
One of the defining characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is pain. It can run the gamut from mild or temporary to severe and chronic, caused by active inflammation or damage to the joints, exacerbated by overdoing it or not moving at all. Living with unpredictable pain is incredibly difficult — because (obviously) it’s deeply uncomfortable,…
How to Train Your Rheumatologist in Six Easy Steps
Congratulations on getting yourself a brand-new rheumatologist! Rheumatologists — or rheumies, as they are affectionately known in the community — can add so much value to living with any kind of arthritis. Like any other new relationship, though, you have to get used to each other, and your rheumatologist has to come to understand how…