Tofacitinib: A novel oral treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Bhushan Ghate, 45 of Nagpur has been suffering from Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease that can cause bones in the spine to fuse, from the early age of 12. Delayed diagnosis worsened the condition for which he is completely home bound now. He runs patient support groups and helps others with a similar condition in his own way. Challenges in Diagnosis I am a good example of delayed diagnosis. When I first felt the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis, it was in 1988-89, when I was…

Prachee Bhosle, 42, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia, two painful rheumatic disorders, shelved her career plans and chose to become a patient leader to raise awareness and advocate for better care and support. She is currently President of Ankylosing Spondylitis Welfare Society.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your background? I am a parent to 2 kids, a 14-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Both my kids are homeschooled by me since 2017. After…

Jolene Dias, who was diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, persevered her passion for music against adversities. From a celebrity singer, she began to teach music to children, including those with special needs, and challenge preconceived notions about people on wheelchairs. I was an extremely active child, good in sports and studies. I used to love to sing, dance, and perform. In school, I was at the center of all music shows, singing classes, and choir practices. I have been…

काजल* सक्रिय  रहती थीं और अपनी जीवनशैली को लेकर सावधान थीं। जब उनका बेवजह  वजन कम होने लगा और घुटने में दर्द भी होने लगा तो उन्होंने कई टेस्ट करवाए और विशेषज्ञों से मिलीं। प्राप्त सलाह और समाधानों से संतुष्ट न होने पर, काजल ने खुद समाधान खोजने के लिए विभिन्न पूरक उपचारों को सक्रिय रूप से खोजा और कुछ आश्चर्यजनक निष्कर्ष निकाले। मैं हमेशा से ही पतली और सक्रिय रही हूं। अपने माता-पिता की स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं को पहचानते हुए, जब मेरी उम्र तीस साल हुई तो मैंने जीवन शैली को अधिक स्वस्थ  …

मुंबई की 72 वर्षीय गीता कांतवाला को मेनिस्कस टीयर के कारण आर्थोस्कोपी के बाद में बाएं घुटने का रिप्लेसमेंट हुआ।  वे अपनी सर्जरी की विफलता और सफलताओं और रिकवरी और रिहैबिलिटेशन (पुनर्प्राप्ति और पुनर्वास प्रक्रिया) की बात करती हैं। और दूसरे डॉक्टर से राय लेने की जरूरत है, इस पर जोर देती हैं। मुझे अप्रैल 2016 में अपने बाएं घुटने में मेनिस्कस टीयर का निदान मिला। एक दिन मेरा घुटना लॉक हो गया (एक ही पोजीशन में जकड़ गया) और मैंने जब चलने की कोशिश की तो घुटना मेरा बोझ नहीं ले पाया और मैं गिर…

Rheumatic conditions like Lupus, Anklosing Spondylitis, Scleroderma and Sjogren's Syndrome affect people in a myriad ways. These often create body image issues and impact self esteem. We spoke with patient leaders Kirtida Oza, Neetu Wadhwa, Vachasamrita, Ami Shah and Mental health therapist Arouba Kabir on the common issues faced by persons with Rheumatic Conditions and how they can reclaim their self esteem. Kirtida, founder Sjogren's India Neetu Wadhwa, co-founder Scleroderma India…

रीटा मेहता, 65 को लगभग 20 साल पहले जोड़ों का दर्द और वैरिकाज़ वेंस शुरू हुआ था। इसने उनकी चाल और जीवन शैली पर कइ प्रतिबंध लगा दिये गये । निदान हुआ गठिया का । वह उन विभिन्न समाधानों की बात करती है जो उन्होंने अपनाए और आखिरकार क्या काम आया। प्रारंभिक लक्षण 1990 में, मैं अपने बेटे के साथ यूएस में डिज्नीलैंड का दौरा कर रही थी । मुझे याद है कि हर जगह लंबी कतारों के कारण बहुत खड़ा होना पड़ा और हमारे लौटने के तुरंत बाद, मुझे अपने दोनों पैरों में वैरिकाज़ नसों का । निदान हुआ । उसके बाद दो साल तक, मैं…

This webinar held on 30th March, 2020 was an informative session with Dr Sapan C Pandya on how patients who are living with a rheumatological conditions can manage their condition during this current pandemic and lockdown period. Are people with Rheumatic diseases more vulnerable than others to the COVID infection? There is no evidence that people who have immunosuppressant diseases will get the corona virus infection more than others. They may be more susceptible for complications once they…

Soumita Basu has been living with the chronic pain associated with Psoriatic Arthritis for almost 10 years. She shares her experience of managing the pain and what works for her.  Chronic pain can be debilitating. It can be isolating. And it is almost always inexplicable. As I write this, I am in excruciating pain. And I recall all the pain stories I have heard from people suffering from chronic pain. Pain that fogs the mind and makes me second guess everything. Sometimes, the question is…

Rita Mehta, 65 started having joint pains and varicose veins about 20 years ago. These restricted her movement and lifestyle. And led to a diagnosis of Arthritis. She talks through the variety of solutions she tried and what eventually worked for her.  Initial Symptoms In 1990, I was visiting the Disneyland in US with my son. I remember a lot of standing due to long queues everywhere and soon after our return, I was diagnosed with varicose veins in both my legs. For two years after that, I…