Main Line Rheumatology Becomes Main Line Rheumatology & Osteoporosis

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2019 Wynnewood, PA… Gary V. Gordon, MD, FACP, FACR, owner of Main Line Rheumatology practice, and chief of Rheumatology, Lankenau Medical Center, announces that Main Line Rheumatology is now called, Main Line Rheumatology & Osteoporosis.

Only our name has changed! The practice of Main Line Rheumatology & Osteoporosis is still independently owned, and its doctors, staff and office locations at Lankenau Medical Center, and Main Line Health Center, in Broomall remain the same.

Why the practice name change? Dr. Gary Gordon said, “Over the last number of years, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of osteoporosis patients we see, and patients with osteopenia or other fracture risks. Osteoporosis has become our rheumatology practice’s largest growing sub-medical specialty. Adding “osteoporosis” to Main Line Rheumatology, creates a more defining description of our practice, today.”
Osteoporosis is a common rheumatology disease.

According to recent statistics from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is responsible for an estimated two million broken bones per year, yet nearly 80 percent of older Americans who suffer bone breaks are not tested or treated for osteoporosis. Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk. One in two women, and up to one in four men over age 50, will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

Dr. Gordon added, “Our doctors and staff are committed to treating our osteoporosis patients. I encourage individuals who have noticeable symptoms (i.e. back pain, fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, stooped posture, or a bone that breaks much more easily than expected) to make an appointment with a rheumatologist for diagnosis. Pro-active testing and treatment could stave off fractures, or full-blown disease.”

 

 

Latest News on How Plant Based Diets Can Help People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis — a chronic autoimmune condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints affects between 0.3% and 1% of the world’s population, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Now, a new review appearing in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition shows that following a plant based diet can be a useful intervention when it comes to coping with this condition, as it triggers some helpful biological changes, stating, “Symptoms may improve or even disappear.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326554.php

New Hours!

To accommodate our patients, Main Line Rheumatology has increased its hours to better serve you!

LANKENAU MEDICAL CENTER
Monday 9am – 5:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 8am- 4pm
Thursday 9am – 4pm
Friday 8am- 4pm

MAIN LINE HEALTH CENTER, Broomall
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday  9am – 4pm

Living with RA. Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way!

Here are the hands of an 83-year-old patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Dr. Gary Gordon says that RA does not have to be as debilitating a condition, as you might think. Watch what this patient does with this telephone book; it’s a true testament to motivation and RA treatment!

Video of 83-year-old patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

The Problem with TV Drug Commercials

TV commercials about medication and risks can be very confusing.

By Gary V. Gordon, MD, FACP, FACR

Every day when we watch television, we’re bombarded with commercials for all kinds of medications. As a rheumatologist, I have great concern when I see medication commercials that patients take for psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis.  We are frightened by the lengthy list of potentially terrible side effects from taking medications for psoriatic arthritis.  I often think anyone in their right mind would not take any advertised medications where death, or some serious or lingering infection could be the outcome. Exchange one bad problem for another?  No doubt, the pharmaceutical companies have done marketing studies that show TV drug advertising increases the rise in drug sales, with the bottom line – “if you advertise, they will come.” After watching these ads, some patients will run right to their doctor and ask, “Why are you not prescribing these drugs for me?” or in some cases, “Why are you?”

I think most physicians probably would say “No” to television drug commercials. There are frequently mixed messages with the commercials’ optics, and narrative. Some medication information can really frighten or confuse viewers, scaring them away from taking medications which might be really helpful in their treatment. At the end of these commercials, there is the rapidly announced list of terrible, potential drug side effects but in reality, most of them are extremely unlikely.  For example, the biologic drugs, Humira, Enbrel and Remicade, as well as the newer medications such as Xeljanz, can, in theory, cause viral hepatitis or tuberculosis.  However, of the hundreds of patients I have treated with these types of drugs, I have yet to see one case of tuberculosis or hepatitis.  Why are these potential side effects listed?  The listing is a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) mandate, and it is hard to argue with the FDA that’s just trying to protect the public. However, it is difficult for somebody watching TV drug commercials to know the likelihood of these possible side effects.  If the consequence of untreated rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis is that a patient may be crippled and unable to work, a small 3% chance of infection may be a worthwhile risk. Medical providers are risk averse; we want patients as healthy as possible, and living a good, quality of life! But an everyday reality is when you get out of bed, you could be exposed to a potential hazard; driving your car to run an errand, getting on a train or plane, or even just walking to the mailbox. Medical treatment with medications is also about weighing the risks against the benefits. With professional medical guidance, we all aim for the right decision.  Having a complete and honest discussion with your rheumatologist about the benefits and risks of your prescribed medicines, is the reasonable approach. 

As far as these TV drug commercials, next time just hit the MUTE button on your remote control!

Don’t Let Arthritis Stop You from Enjoying Sex

This original story, seen here, can now be seen on philly.com 1/4/19 as a Health & Science, Q&A column,  and in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Health & Science, Sunday 1/6/19.

“Doc, I’m having trouble at home. You know…?” Not a great conversation starter in an office visit with a rheumatologist, but common to hear from patients suffering arthritis.

According to health.clevelandclinic.org, patients with various forms of arthritis talk about how it affects their feelings of sexuality and their sex lives. Close intimate, sexual relationships are part of a healthy, quality of life. Working on achieving that might take a little extra work, but the benefits are worth it!

Arthritis sufferers say the following issues affect the quality of their sexual identity and sex lives: pain, exhaustion, fatigue or decreased endurance, loss of self-esteem and feelings of sexual attractiveness, decreased sexual desire and satisfaction, difficulty with sexual arousal, decreased sensation, erectile dysfunction or impotence, vaginal dryness, extreme sensitivity to touch, limitation of movement/flexibility, effects of surgery, depression, and side effects from medication.

Inflammatory arthritis is a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the joints and tissues, and include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis.

How do these conditions affect sex and relationships? Inflammatory arthritis can cause joints to be tender or painful, and when it hurts to move, sex feels like the last thing on your mind or agenda. Swollen or misshapen joints or weight gain can make you feel older, and less attractive and confident. Offshoot immune disorders like Sjögren’s syndrome, can decrease women’s lubrication. Often men’s’ penile blood vessels are affected, causing arousal and erectile dysfunction. So, who wouldn’t be depressed from all of this, which can then further exacerbate the problems?

There’s hope. We’re bringing sexy back.

Having sex can help your pain and your brain! Pleasurable touching and sex releases those blessed endorphins that bathe your brain in happy feelings, and holistically lubricate parts of your body. We’re not kidding!

There is no sex czar to make arthritis complications disappear, nor one magic bullet. But here are some RECOMMENDATIONS AND OPTIONS that can help.

  • Boost open and honest communication; allow yourself to be more vulnerable about fears, sexual needs, desires and difficulties
  • Accept change; we’re all in process at every age!
  • Plan ahead: Take medication or muscle relaxants beforehand, nap with a heating pad, take a warm shower or relaxing hot bath, use an electric blanket to relieve joint stiffness and add more pillows
  • Connect: Hug, kiss, cuddle, massage
  • Be spontaneous; there are more times than bedtime when you are naturally more tired
  • For improved intimacy – more kissing, and experiment with new positions, oral or manual stimulation, visuals, lubricants and sex aid devices
  • Make sure to stay active with exercise to increase stamina, strengthen muscles and improve range of motion
  • Recognize and address any depression and sadness; seek professional help
  • Following joint replacement surgery, discuss recovery and safe positions for sexual activity, with your doctor

Sex and all forms of arthritis can coexist. It’s the journey and destination to achieve satisfaction, happiness and peace in your life, so GO FOR IT!

A Main Line Rheumatology Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis Runs Her Own Race

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a miserable disease for the millions of people who suffer from it.  Patients live with pain, stiffness and disability which can last for many years.  As rheumatologists, we always rejoice for those who manage to overcome the inherent difficulties living with a chronic illness.  Most of us would probably hang our heads and suffer the outrageous bad fortune, while a few others manage to rise above it.

A hero in rheumatology, and his face graces the cover of a standard text book of rheumatology, is the famous French painter, Pierre Auguste Renoir.  Renoir, as most know, had a unique impressionistic painting style beloved around the world.  His luscious paintings of his female models might suggest that the painter was some kind of Don Juan with a paintbrush.  The reality is that Renoir suffered, and was crippled by rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  He had to be physically carried on a chair, transferred from room to room.  Paintbrushes were either pushed into his hand and fingers, or taped to the back of his hands.  Renoir lived at a time when there was precious little medication to take for his pain and inflammation, other than narcotics, yet he managed to find the determination and will to overcome the enormous difficulties he suffered.

Every rheumatology practice has their own “Renoirs” and the doctors at Main Line Rheumatology are privileged to have a few.  One such patient is Susan M. She is a   52-year-old nurse who has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that required ankle fusion, and elbows that do not bend much, which is a major factor as she enjoys running as a hobby and sport.  Her life has been further complicated by breast cancer.  In spite of these significant physical roadblocks, Susan M. runs marathons!  Not only does she run marathons, but she runs fast enough to have qualified for the Boston Marathon in April, 2019.  Given the number of runners to attempt to qualify for this 26-mile race, this was no small accomplishment.

Susan M. comes to Main Line Rheumatology for infusions of the drug, rituximab, under the care of our outstanding nurse practitioner, Cheryl Wieczorek.  Under Cheryl’s attentive care, Susan M. continues to do reasonably well controlling the inflammatory part of her RA.  The mechanical issues, including her elbow and fused ankle, cannot be helped by any medication, but Susan M. perseveres, nonetheless. Grit and determination come from deep within her determined, athletic and competitive spirit; she is a role model for many, and a marvel to observe and experience.  As her health partners and advocates, we are proud of her accomplishments.  Good luck in April, Susan M.!  In our estimation, you’ve already won the race.