What is a Rheumatologist?

It's the person ergo., #Medical Specialist you should see if you suspect or have... 

Sarcoidosis 

Why!

Because the journey of being diagnosed can sometimes take years; A specialized approach focus if you will... Management treatment plan is needed.

You should know...

Fyi ✔️

Sarcoidosis

Causes increased inflammation in the body

Sarcoidosis is an Autoimmune Disorder!

A Rheumatologist is...

A specialist in (Systemic)

Auto-Immune Disorders...  

- That cause inflammation, pain, swelling, stiffness, etc., Auto-Immune Conditions, Disorders such as Sarcoidosis...

(autoimmune disease)

Link✔️

Sarcoidosis

Is

known as...

"  The Great Mimicker  "

As the symptoms of sarcoidosis are similar  to many other disorders an potentially  effecting any body part or organ.

Omg, off the rip... SAR-KOI-DOSIS alone causes joint pain...

Add on other health care issues that's like  arthritis or even 1 of my medication causes severe joint pain compounding my discomfort  of joint pain---

I was not surprised to see the issue with my knee  most recently is due to #Sarcoidosis 

I absolutely, sought out an #Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Medical Doctor; because of a potential Baker's Cysts -- in the back of my knee and joint pain/mild arthritis with stiffness and a bone spur from my X-ray...  The bone spur is the size of a dime... all in my right knee the pain is none stop.  #Irritating

Attached, at the bottom a glimpse... of my X-ray findings read by my Orthopedic doctor & Radiology of my knee an I also included the definition of my diagnosis of my knee. 

Ps.,  Again don't ignore symptoms when you have or suspect sarcoidosis.

xoxoLisa ♡

SAR-KOI-DOSIS  Fact Finding--

Moreover, of course an importantly which is an would be additional sometimes of a mix of clinical diagnosis with also... 

Diagnostic Test

The type of diagnostic test is dependent upon which organs are affected by Sarcoidosis 

X-ray

CT scan

MRI scan

Ultrasound

Therapeutic Services

Biopsies

Labs (Blood/Work) Work Up/(s')

Such as ...

Why is a ACE Level - blood work test important when you have sarcoidosis? 

What is the ACE blood test?

This test measures how much angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is in your blood. Your ACE levels may be higher if you have a condition called sarcoidosis.

The granulomas associated with sarcoidosis increase the amount of ACE in the blood.

Additionaly, testing for high calcium levels for example.,/Clinical-Findings

A lung function test  - (PFTs)- Pulmonolary Function Test etc,. & alike to any other pertinent testing for sarcoidosis.  

As well as ruling out symptoms that look like sarcoidosis but is not.  So many variables when it comes to Sarcoidosis... Sometimes, sarcoidosis is a diagnosis by exculsion an again, a mix if you will after diagnostic findings.

What I should say is what helps--

With respect to #The Lungs...

So, when it comes to the Lungs!

Because, "Covid" can act similar to "Sarcoidosis" with respect to the Lungs...

I do get a yearly Flu vaccine 

&

Scheduled Pneumonia Vaccines

As well as the...

Covid Vaccines....  Prevention effort to try to prevent #Respiratory Infections- Complications #Preventativly

xoxoLisa 

Fyi✔️

Whether, your seeing a (PCP) Primary Care Physician...

An as well possibly a Specialist...

Such as a --

Pulmonologists, Cardiologists, Dermatologists, Nephrologists, Neurologists, Ophthalmologist and or Rheumatologist your doctors will work closely together to diagnose sarcoidosis and to create a --

Teatment Plan

For You! 

February 2024

I'm thankful! 

- My PCP & Rheumatologist, manages the healthcare of my whole body!

An not just the #Sarcoidosis in my body...

As sarcoidosis, systemically effects my whole body.

Plan of Care--

My PCP an my Rheumatologist basically, case manage my sarcoidosis...

Whole body Care--

 Between my PCP & Rheumatologist providers  providing most of my care, for sarcoidosis treatment....

Hence, branches off to referrals (which to me is truly whole body care)... to other specialists as needed as sarcoidosis can effect any part of the body.

P.s.  Crucial to my balance of managing & living with sarcoidosis is case management  ie., Treatment (monitoring) of my symptoms of sarcoidosis in a nut shell if you will. 

xoxoLisa ♡

It's Cruicial!

Most presentations of sarcoidosis are alike to a puzzle.

When nothing else makes sense!

Hence, Due Consideration 

Could it be sarcoidosis....

 Awareness of sarcoidosis

&

Conservations should be included...  When seeing healthcare providers,  Well & Sick visits alike an in #Yearly #Physicals #IJS 

An it's especially true...

For certain populations who are more likely to get Sarcoidosis;  That the word #Sarcoidosis needs to be acknowledged an consideration of as a possible diagnosis.

xoxoLisa 

Is a case management type approach to Sarcoidosis!

The key is...

Prolonging, the stages of Sarcoidosis as long as possible!

xoxo -Lisa♡

Somedays!

Some Sarcoidosis days...

It's a general feeling

Of

Malaise...

an being extremely tired.

xoxo 

Primarily, because most people with sarcoidosis look well!  Hence, some sarcoidosis symptoms sometimes are brushed off if you will... to Sidebar discussions to revisit at later dates.

- Living With & Managing Sarcoidosis--

In my opinion, it's not that providers don't believe you per say!  Nor, is that they don't care...

It's the "human factor" that comes into play as an obstacle of delay when you don't look sick!

xoxo 

- It's because...

I have sarcoidosis my immune system Is lnbalanced... 

Most days sarcoidosis simply just makes me feel unwell!

The Sarcoidosis Fatigue!

Usually is every day!  

Some days I sleep 12hrs an some days for days not getting out of bed!

The confusing part is I look well...

For me #Methotrexate seems to start working (for the lack of a better word) if you will on day 3 or 4.

I find that taking weekly injections of #Methotrexate at home sometimes, I'm afforded 2 day out of the weekly injection maybe inwhich I feel slightly better but its a hit or miss on all levels.

xoxo

PS..   When I take my weekly injection of Methotrexate at home, the day after an sometimes the next day as well I stil feel unwell an even worse.

As a person with sarcoidosis knows it a fight!  

-I'm now too a sarcoidosis warrior...

Sarcoidosis affects all races! Sarcoidosis has forced me to see an deal with all the "human factors" that come into play; meaning specifically, healthcare obstacles an biases if you will... that I had no idea existed in the realm of the #sarcoidosis world when you suspect or have sarcoidosis!  

Let me explain...

On the surface, for some seeking sarcoidosis help or a diagnosis when you look totally fine if you will... Will be an obstacle all by itself!  Delays in treatment... some providers can't or won't treat what they cant see or have not seen before. Most with sarcoidosis don't look sick an on the surface look well.

A lot of an about  Sarcoidosis an it's symptoms don't make sense an the symptoms are like puzzle pieces or....

Sarcoidosis, is alike to a person complaining of pain put their blood pressure is normal as an example!

#Make It Make Sense

In this example most people in pain will have a higher  blood pressure.   So, hence you  want me to believe  you're in pain! As your  blood pressure is saying your pain isn't as bad as you say. So, hence similarly your not feeling well with sarcoidosis, an you want your provider to believe his or her lying eyes ..."cliche"... when you look well!  

So,  It's places a person with sarcoidosis in a holding place! I call an appearance of care!  I realize in all professions a person's background an or experience comes into play... an plays a huge role on whether or not you  actually will spend 1+ years before you actually are treated or have a treatment plan for sarcoidosis when you look well.  

It's a fight... When you look well! as I can say I don't think anyone would choose the desire to be a sarcoidosis subject matter expert!

Long story short... Fine a provider who specializes  in Sarcoidosis / Autoimmune disorders.

xoxo

- A Granuloma is a collection of inflammatory cells...