Risk of avoiding medications
All Drugs have possible side effects.
Risk Of Avoiding Medications
Dr. Irwin Lim
Rheumatologist
All drugs have possible side effects. But that’s the key word ‘possible.’ It doesn’t mean that every patient will get the side effects that they read about. A lot of patients focus on side effects but I try to get them to focus on what the disease will actually do to them as well if they’re not on effective medications. That tends to be what’s forgotten so it’s a complete balance. What’s the benefit, what do you actually prevent with the medication, what are the risks you’re going to take, what are the possible side effects here. And obviously we will only use a medication when we feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Assoc. Professor Peter Youssef
Rheumatologist, Royal Prince Alfred Institute of Rheumatology and Orthopaedics, Sydney
Chair – Arthritis Australia Scientific Advisory Committee
There is no doubt that the risk of treatment is outweighed greatly by the benefit and that without treatment many patients will develop joint damage, will have ongoing pain and stiffness in their joints, may eventually stop working and many will have a reduced life expectancy.
Confirming diagnosis
Initial GP visit
Key questions & history taking
Piecing the symptoms together
Referral to rheumatologist
Visiting Physio or GP
Other therapies
What is a rheumatologist?
Preparing for first consultation
Questions rheumatologists will ask
Tests rheumatologists may conduct
Your online research
Rheumatologists can help
Tips and suggestions
Living well with arthritis
Next steps after diagnosis
Reaction to diagnosis
Finding a supportive environment
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Working with your rheumatologist
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Treatment management
Personalising treatment plans
Lifestyle management sleep & smoking
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What is adherence
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Finding the right treatment
Understanding side effects
Side effects vs benefits
Risk of avoiding medications
Importance of monitoring side effects
Considering the immune system
NSAIDs
Immediate treatment
Introduction to methotrexate
Methotrexate compared with chemotherapy
Methotrexate early side effects
DMARDs
Introduction to biological treatment
Ankylosing spondylitis & biologics
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Biologics are they for you?
Finding the best biological treatment
Changing biologics
Biologics
Early treatment
Treatment disease modifying drugs
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Other treatment options biologics
Treating AS
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