In my Rheumatology practice, my goal is to help my patients have hope while we aim to reach full remission. Many patients come to my rheumatology practice, uncertain about their future and feeling disheartened by chronic symptoms or misdiagnoses. Many have also had negative experiences with previous doctors that they've worked with. I have seen many patients' views change from not believing their condition could get better to reaching full remission. I hope that you enjoy these stories.
Story 1: Beyond "Just Okay"
One of my patients had been living with rheumatoid arthritis for over two years before coming to the practice. Despite previous treatment, her symptoms persisted, including joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. When we started her on a new treatment plan, she gradually began to improve.
After her first couple of visits, she shared something that I thought was very inspiring.
"I didn’t realize that it’s not okay to just be okay," she said. "I thought feeling 75% better was enough, but now I see that 98% or even 100% is possible."
Often patients don't realize that there is hope for healing and that their diagnosis does not mean that they are sentenced to a life of just getting by. By realizing that remission is possible and aiming for it, we can go beyond just managing symptoms and eliminate them all together. Full remission means no joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, though this may require ongoing medication. For her, realizing she could achieve more than "just okay" was life-changing.
Story 2: Reclaiming Moments of Joy
Another one of my patients, a young mother, had made significant progress, but still hadn't reached complete remission. During one appointment, she shared with me that her husband had a very emotional reaction when he saw her playing on the floor with their toddler. He said that he hadn't known if it would be possible that he would ever see this. This was an important moment for both of them to regain their hope.
While she hadn't reached complete remission, this milestone marked a profound improvement in her quality of life. This is an important reminder that while we continue to strive for perfection, celebrating progress along the way is equally important.
Story 3: Diagnosing the Undiagnosed
Another young woman came to the practice after years of unexplained joint pain and a lack of clear answers from previous doctors she had seen. She had been told her symptoms were due to overexertion from working out. During her first visit, while reviewing her symptoms, I realized that she had a severe rash. She had it looked at previously and had been told that it wasn't concerning.
After examining pictures of her rash, I could see that it was psoriasis. After identifying this, it was clear that she was suffering from psoriatic arthritis. We started her treatment and within a month, she reached remission. Another great outcome from this experience, beyond her reaching remission, was that this helped to restore her trust in the medical system.
If you are living with a rheumatic condition, know that remission is within reach. Always seek answers and advocate for your health. It does sometimes take time, but with the right treatment plan, you can achieve a life free from pain and limitations. I hope that these stories help you to see that we should aim for and can reach full remission.
Are you in need of a compassionate rheumatologist who will listen and work with you toward disease remission? If you're searching for the best direct care rheumatologist in Denver, UnabridgedMD is here for you. Click here to get in touch https://www.unabridgedmd.com or call 303-731-4006
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