At Rare Patient Voice, disease sufferers are given a voice, and are empowered as they share frustrations and challenges of living with a chronic illness. They may share suggestions for medical product or medication improvement; and they are listened to as some of their suggestions become the norm in clinical practice! Now, there’s a first:... Continue Reading →
Ankle Replacement?
Knees, hips, even shoulders; but ankles? Severe arthritis or a host of other conditions can affect ankles: still in their infancy, ankle replacements were developed and are growing more common. The main reason that people need ankle replacements is that they sustained a trauma to this complicated joint-possibly an injury that didn't heal correctly. Illnesses... Continue Reading →
“Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah; here I am at: Camp Grenadah”
I should have called. I should have written. But no. I just left and I'm sorry about that. But, I had a sound reason; really, I did. I'll try to explain! I, like @ 50% of lupus sufferers, have Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). APS is a blood disorder which can cause blood clots. It did. APS... Continue Reading →
Phantom Limb Pain?
It's not fair. Charlene lived through the car crash, but her left leg was so crushed with broken bones and bruises that amputation was the only option. After a lot of rehab, drive, true grit and support, she is now back to her favorite sport of running. When she wears slacks, you wouldn't know that... Continue Reading →
‘First, Do No Harm’ and the Opioid Crisis
That title implies that there is a connection between the Hippocratic Oath the current opioid crisis. What is it? Any chronic illness can be used as an example. Consider 'lupus.' Pericarditis, the inflammation of the sac aound the heart is a very painful condition that affects many lupus sufferers. The pain from pericarditis can be... Continue Reading →
NURSES EXPLAIN 