How Jane figured out she needed a rheumatologist Like most 23 year olds, I was healthy.
I exercised regularly and played sports. I ate well and had routine health check-ups. At my first job, I joined the company softball team. After long days in the cubicle, it was invigorating to be outdoors, breathing in the crisp air. One day, I raised my hand to swing my bat—a movement that was second-nature to me—and a strange pain shot up my left wrist. “Ignore it,” I told myself. But week after week, the pain would return, heightened. Then it spread through my entire arm, and my right wrist too. I tried physical therapy. I tried a wrist brace. Nothing helped.
Jane (center) and friends
Learning you have rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.) is scary at any age. But, at 23, I was terrified. Without warning, R.A. drained me of all energy. The medications prescribed were even more exhausting. I felt sick to the bones and took time off work. But for months, I didn’t improve. That’s when my family friend recommended Dr. Jessica Gordon, a rheumatologist at HSS. Dr. Gordon was kind, understanding, and deeply committed to helping me. After a few months of aggressive treatments of a biologic therapy, the pain in my wrists decreased substantially. Dr. Gordon taught me not only about R.A., but also about making healthy choices, managing stress, and surrounding myself with love and kindness. I’m now better than ever before. I take fewer medications, and am more active. I feel like I’m going to be my best self again—and it wouldn’t have been possible without Dr. Gordon and the team at HSS. I hope that other R.A. patients, young and old, can find peace and freedom as I have. Jane Donatich, Astoria, NY
HSS Rheumatology is raising awareness of crucial, life-altering rheumatic diseases and restoring patients to their best selves. Only your commitment and support allow us to continue investigating and treating these disorders.
Contact Info: Division of Rheumatology Hospital for Special Surgery 535 East 70th Street New York, NY 10021 Tel: 877-606-1555 www.hss.edu/rheumatology
For a PDF version of this brochure please go to: hss.edu/needrheum
To learn how you can support HSS Rheumatology, please contact: Alessandra Garber Development Director garbera@hss.edu (212)-774-2881
Brooke Bryant Assistant Director Strategic Partnerships bryantb@hss.edu (646)-714-6079
How do you know you need a rheumatologist?
What are rheumatic disorders and how would I know if I have one? Did You Know?
There are over affecting over
You’re at the prime of life; yet, you feel rusty. You’re tired all the time. Your arms and legs are stiff every morning. Your hand is losing its grip.
LUPUS: An autoimmune disease, attacking all parts of the body. Symptoms: Facial (“butterfly”) rash; hair loss; joint swelling and pain; extreme fatigue.
30 rheumatic disorders, 7 million Americans. Jars can’t be opened
They cause more disability in America
than heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.
Shoes can’t be tied
Scleroderma: Thickening
Children can’t be held
of skin, often starting with the hands and arms; fibrosis of internal organs. Symptoms: Tight skin; shortness of breath; difficulty swallowing.
The worst part? You don’t know the cause.
That’s when it’s time to consult a rheumatologist.
Arthritis (Rheumatoid, Juvenile Idiopathic): Inflammation of joints, leading to joint deformities. Symptoms: Joints feel stiff and painful, especially after rest or inactivity; morning stiffness; fatigue.
Rheumatic disorders are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Phantom aches and mysterious chronic pains might signal a hidden rheumatic disorder that puts your vital organs at risk.
1 in 12 women 1 in 20 men 1 in 1000 children are affected – often early in their lives.
Rheumatic disorders affect your entire body. Your immune system turns on itself, attacking: • joints
• bones
• muscles
Gout: Needle-like crystals of uric acid in the joints cause acute inflammation and painful arthritis. Symptoms: Sudden attacks of pain; redness and swelling near the big toe, ankles, elbows, and wrists.
• organs
Symptoms include: joint pain; chest pain; swelling; fatigue; rashes.
Hospital for Special Surgery: A Special Place for Rheumatology We like to think of rheumatologists as puzzle solvers, who treat the most complicated diseases, and diagnose the most esoteric symptoms, with extremely specialized skill sets.
HSS is home to pioneering centers for research and special patient care.
PATIENT CARE
RESEARCH
• Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research • Rudolph Rupert Scleroderma Research Program • David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center • Highly competitive fellowship training programs that are developing the future leaders of rheumatology
• Disease-focused Centers of Excellence and endowed programs for: • Lupus and APS • Inflammatory Arthritis • Scleroderma, Vasculitis, and Myositis • Pediatric Rheumatology • Bone Health and Osteoperosis
• Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease