Your Guide to Precision and Personalized Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Episode 1: Eileen’s Story

Eileen shares how learning to be specific about her physical and mental health needs has helped navigate the RA treatment journey.

What Precision Medicine Might Mean for You

Managing RA typically involves a long stream of trial and error when it comes to medications. However, there may be a way for you to more quickly find a solution with your doctor. 

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Here are seven common myths about precision medicine — and the real facts you need to know to get the best treatment.

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          Audio Guide: Understanding Precision & Personalized Medicine for RA

Understanding the difference between precision and personalized medicine is important for the present and future care of rheumatoid arthritis — learn why.

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Medication changes are par for the course when managing a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis. Here’s why — and how to better cope with the emotional journey of RA treatment.

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If you’re worried that your doctor may have prescribed a treatment that will not work for you, take heed: While precision medicine for RA is still in its infancy, rheumatologists aren’t blindly guessing, either. Here’s what to ask at your next appointment, to help you get  to the right medication faster. 

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5 Question You and Your Doctor Should Ask Before Trying a New RA Medication

Stay in Touch with CreakyJoints

Podcast: Let’s Get Personal 

Hear from real RA patients and a rheumatologist who treats patients with RA about their RA treatment journeys. This is not medical advice and should not take the place of your professional medical care. 

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Episode 2: Alexis’ Story 

Alexis talks about the importance of coming to terms with your diagnosis, doing your own research, and being persistent 
in your RA treatment and care.

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Episode 3: Shilpa’s Story

Shilpa discusses the many emotions of living with and treating RA — and how having a supportive community and solid relationship with your doctor can help you better cope.

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Episode 4:  Dr. Wright

Dr. Wright talks to us about 
the relationship between a rheumatologist and a patient, and how good communication is key to finding the right RA treatment.

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          Audio Guide: Understanding Trial 
and Error in RA

PatientSpot

Tracking your RA pain can help you better understand your condition and can help you talk to your doctor about whether your medication is working. Join PatientSpot, a patient-centered research registry, to learn more about your RA. 

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CreakyJoints® is a digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research. We represent patients in English and Spanish through our popular social media channels, our websites, and the 50-State Network, which includes more than 1,600 trained volunteer patient, caregiver, and health care activists.

Part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, CreakyJoints also has a patient-reported outcomes registry called PatientSpot (PatientSpot.org), which includes tens of thousands of consented arthritis patients who track their disease while volunteering to participate in longitudinal and observational research. CreakyJoints publishes the popular “Raising the Voice of Patients” series, which offers downloadable patient-centered educational and navigational tools for managing chronic illness. It also hosts PainSpot (PainSpot.org), a digital risk-assessment tool for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, and eRheum (eRheum.org), for telehealth and virtual-care support. All programming is free, always. For more information and to become a member, visit CreakyJoints.org.

What RA Patients Know About Precision Medicine, Flares, and Remission

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Episode 1: Eileen’s Story

Eileen shares how learning to be specific about her physical and mental health needs has helped navigate the RA treatment journey.

Episode 2: Alexis' Story

Alexis talks about the importance of coming to terms with your diagnosis, doing your own research, and being persistent in your RA treatment and care.

Listen Now

Episode 3: Shilpa's Story

Shilpa discusses the many emotions of living with and treating RA — and how having a supportive community and solid relationship with your doctor can help you better cope.

Listen Now

Episode 4: Dr. Grace Wright’s Story

Dr. Wright talks to us about the relationship between a rheumatologist and a patient, and how good communication is key to finding the right RA treatment.

Listen Now

When you live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), getting treatment as soon as you need it is important for managing your symptoms and preventing permanent joint damage. However, finding the right medication is not always a simple process. People with RA often go through a process of trial and error to find the right medication, and this can be a long journey that takes months or even years. We know there’s a lot of time and emotional energy devoted to waiting and seeing if the medication will work. And you’re not alone if you feel frustrated and discouraged by the process. 

The good news is that rheumatologists, scientists, and researchers alike are dedicated to improving this process — through personalized and precision medicine, which allows them to better tailor treatment plans and determine the right medication for you.

We put together this guide to help you feel less alone in your RA treatment journey. You’ll hear from rheumatologists and people living with rheumatoid arthritis about the physical and mental toll of starting and switching therapies and how to make your rheumatologist a trustworthy partner in this often grueling process. We’ll also discuss some promising advances underway that can offer hope for landing on the right RA treatment sooner.

When you live with rheumatoid arthritis, 
getting early treatment is important for managing your symptoms and preventing permanent  joint damage. However, finding the right medication is not always a simple process. People with RA often go through a process of trial and error to find the right medication, and this can be a long journey that takes months or even years. We know there’s a lot of time and emotional energy devoted to waiting and seeing if the medication will work. And you’re not alone if you feel frustrated and discouraged by the process. 

The good news is that rheumatologists, scientists, and researchers alike are dedicated to improving this process — through personalized and precision medicine, which allows them to better tailor treatment plans and determine the right medication for you.

We put together this guide to help you feel less alone in your RA treatment journey. You’ll hear from rheumatologists and people living with rheumatoid arthritis about the physical and mental toll of starting and switching therapies and how to make your rheumatologist a trustworthy partner in this oft-grueling process. We’ll also discuss some promising advances underway that can offer hope for landing on the right RA treatment sooner.

The Emotions of Trial 
and Error

Your Guide to Precision and Personalized Medicine for RA was made possible with support from Scipher Medicine.

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7 Common Myths About Precision Medicine 

 Rheumatologists and patients talk about the emotional process of trial and error as well as advances underway for landing on the right RA treatment sooner. 

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How Precision Medicine Helped My Treatment Journey

For rheumatology patients like you who are hoping for more individualized care, there are new tests emerging to tailor your RA treatment.  

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Precision Medicine: What to Expect and How to Advocate for Yourself

How one patient took advantage of precision medicine to better understand the likelihood of responding to certain therapies.  

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Patient Insights on Precision Medicine 

New survey results reveal rheumatoid arthritis patients’ experience with and attitude toward precision medicine.

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