Up Close and Personal with Women & Their Work Life

Recently, members of our team represented The Arthritis & Infusion Center at the 4^th Annual Work-Life Symposium hosted by The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Renece Holland, Practice Manager; Jennifer Trapp, Infusion Center Manager; and Danell Bailey, Physician Liaison manned a booth where information was provided to interested people regarding the services of Dr. Hulon Crayton and his staff.  In addition to giving directions on the various ways to communicate with the office, questions were answered about personal concerns, or concerns about loved ones, who suffer from the various connective tissue disorders treated by a Rheumatologist.

In addition, Jennifer Trapp conducted Body Composition Analysis screens, which measure the percent of body fat versus water and lean body mass in a person’s body.  This was an extremely popular feature of our booth, and participants lined up waiting their turn.

We were very proud to be a part of this symposium that featured interesting speakers who presented subjects designed to help women balance busy lives, see the importance of laughter and having fun, and value the role that friendships play in our lives.  We believe this mindset would also help many of the patients we see on a day-to-day basis.

One of the highlights of the day was a presentation by Beth Holloway, mother of Natalie Holloway, the teen who went missing in Aruba several years ago.  She focused on women and overcoming adversity and explained how she has personally triumphed by making the personal decision to change her role from victim to victor!

And that’s also a message we like to give our patients at The Arthritis & Infusion Center.  “Pain is not normal.  Let us help.”  You do not have to be a victim of your condition when help is available to alleviate your suffering. Contact us to schedule a consult.

LUPUS: Women at Risk – 10 TIMES as much as men!

The scientific name is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, usually referred to as “lupus”; however, it is often called “The Great Imitator” because of the multiple symptoms that present in the patient.  Men do contract lupus, but more women are susceptible.  Patients may have skin rashes and arthritis as well as fatigue and fever, and most aggravating, the attacks can alternate between periods of activity and when the disease remains dormant.  Lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease, affects the joints, kidneys, and skin; plus, – unfortunately, if not treated – lupus can be fatal.

According to the American College of Rheumatology:

• Lupus usually develops in people in their 20s and 30s, and often tends towards blacks and Asians (although Caucasians are also affected).
• Treatment depends on the symptoms and their severity.
• Because it is a complex disease, lupus requires treatment by a rheumatologist and the patient’s active participation in working towards good health.

Patients with lupus typically experience:

• Fever, fatigue, and weight loss 
• Arthritis lasting for several weeks in multiple joints 
• Butterfly-shaped rash over the cheeks or other rashes 
• Skin rash appearing in areas exposed to the sun 
• Sores in the mouth or nose lasting for more than a month 
• Loss of hair, sometimes in spots or around the hairline 
• Seizures, strokes, and mental disorders (depression) 
• Blood clots 
• Miscarriages
• Blood or protein in the urine or tests that suggest poor kidney function 
• Low blood counts (anemia, low white blood cells, or low platelets)

So what causes Lupus?  No one really knows for sure.  Scientists have theorized that people are actually born with the genes to develop lupus, and that something “triggers” the disease.  However, other causes should not be ignored like a combination of genetics/heredity, environment, and hormones.

Once there is a diagnosis … is there help?  YES!  After 50 years, the FDA has recently approved a new drug for lupus that is administered through an infusion.  At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we provide the medication as well as a comfortable environment in which to rest during the application of the medication.

Remember this:  Patients with lupus can expect to live normal lives.  However, Dr. Hulon Crayton must carefully monitor and treat the disease … and … YOU are equally as important to the treatment process.  We listen, but you decide on what medical road you choose to travel.  Just know: we are here for you.  And remember:  “Pain is not normal.  Let us help.”

Women’s Symposium Reminder

It was Oprah Winfrey who said: “Women aren't on their own list of priorities.
After taking care of everyone else, they are always putting themselves last on the list, and often have very little left to give.”

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we are all too aware of this concern, which is why we chose to participate in The 4th Annual Women’s Work-Life Symposium. Be sure to stop by our booth to learn how our team of experts can help you meet the healthcare issues of women as they age.

 

Our team will join you in attending sessions that connect body, mind, and spirit in our day-to-day lives. Joan Martin will present an interesting concept: “When you’re in the position of having no choice but to make it, you’ll be surprised how strong and able you really are.” A similar theme will be presented by Beth Holloway, addressing the disappearance of her daughter Natalee. “How does one muster the courage to persevere in the face of sheer adversity? Do we all have the capacity to overcome tragedy? How does one keep going?”

Dr. Hulon Crayton and his team deal with such questions every day when they consult with patients who are dealing with debilitating diseases. How DO you deal with rheumatic diseases that can leave you totally incapacitated? Dr. Crayton always tells his patients that “Pain is not normal.  Let us help.” Stop by our booth and we will give you numerous ways you can connect with our practice in order to get the help you need and desire.

We’ll see you then!  Friday, June 14^th, Florida State University – 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  

Meet our Team: Lab Specialist Kimberly Sheckles

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, our lab offers our rheumatology patients an early and accurate diagnosis through our onsite laboratory. Our Lab is overseen by Lab Specialist  Kimberly Sheckles.  

Kim has been with The Arthritis & Infusion Center for three and a half years, and has a diverse healthcare background as a former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In addition, she is a Certified Behavioral Health Technician as well as maintains her Certified Nursing Assistant license. 

 

When asked what she loves about her work, she was very quick to respond:  “My employer – Dr. Hulon Crayton. He provides such a nice, easy, peaceful, and fun environment in which to work,” but she was just as quick to compliment her peers. “We have an absolutely awesome team that is amazing to work with, and because our days can be quite stressful, it’s nice to have a professional team where everyone works together.”

Kim gets a lot of gratification from being able to let a patient know, following lab work, that their tests are satisfactory … or … “When something is found that is abnormal within the lab tests, we try to find out exactly what is going on in order for Dr. Crayton to know how to treat them.”

Dr. Hulon Crayton brings specialized expertise to the analysis of tests administered in the lab, and then analyzes, recommends, and administers test results. “Our testing methods are particularly important in the screening and diagnosis of rheumatic disease, as well as for measuring the patient’s response to the various therapies available,” said Kim. “I’ve seen patients come in for their first visit in a wheelchair, and within two treatments, they are able to walk on their own accord. What’s especially rewarding is that some of these patients had been told that they’d never walk again!”

The Arthritis & Infusion Center patients have benefited from our advanced and prompt research utilizing the most advanced diagnostic tests and treatment methods for diseases such as fibromyalgia and lupus. Once lab work is finalized, we carefully administer follow-up care, which can ensure a better treatment plan and greatly improve a patient’s quality of life.

“When my patients tell me they hurt, I believe them,” said Dr. Crayton. “With our in-house laboratory, the time a person has to remain in pain is greatly diminished, because we provide prompt results along with an accurate diagnosis.” Pain is not normal. Let us help!