Medication decisions, advocacy, and patient provider relationships with RA: Claire's Story (Part 6)
Channel: Arthritis Life
Date: 2019-11-30

Rheumatoid arthritis patients Claire and Cheryl discuss Claire's journey with different medications and medication decisions for rheumatoid arthritis. This includes a discussion about pregnancy with rheumatoid arthritis. Claire also shares her tips for developing a good relationship with medical providers, and explores how she learned how to advocate and ask for second opinions after her experience with a wrist fusion. 

This six part interview concludes with Claire's thoughts on how wearing a wrist splint changed her experience of navigating the world with a previously invisible illness. Thank you Claire for your honesty, time and willingness to share your story!

1) (Minute 0:09) - Claire's medical management journey with rheumatoid arthritis (including Enbrel, Humira, Remicaide and more)
2) (Minute 1:35) - Medication decision challenges during pregnancy
3) (Minute 2:54) - Mother to Baby resource for research during pregnancy 
4)  (Minute 3:44) - Tips for developing good relationships with medical providers
5) (Minute 4:51) - Learning to advocate and not apologize for your condition
6) (Minute 6:02) - Learning to ask for specialist care and opinions after wrist fusion
7) (Minute 8:10) - Wearing a splint: the invisible illness becomes visible

This is part 6 of a 6 part interview series. Parts 1-5 are available on Youtube as well as Instagram TV. 

Part 1 is about pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and parenting with arthritis: https://youtu.be/3iGnTduYW1Y
Part 2 is about Claire's diagnosis story and is available here: https://youtu.be/lTxUeIAC5os
Part 3 is about how Rheumatoid Arthritis affects Mental Health and is available here: https://youtu.be/Nlu0O4Vrxrw 
Part 4 is about how work life is affected by RA and is available here: https://youtu.be/HaAJdes7vkE
Part 5 is about how RA affects family, friendships and fatigue and is available here: https://youtu.be/aOcgjxt-lhU 

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