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!

Fibromyalgia is REAL! Four ways to manage this disease

Within the medical field, not all physicians believe in the condition referred to as Fibromyalgia, but at The Arthritis & Infusion Center, when a patient tells Dr. Hulon Crayton that they hurt, he believes them! Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to diagnose Fibromyalgia, because there are no lab tests or x-rays that can determine this insipid disease. Therefore, Dr. Crayton does a thorough history of the patient in combination with a good physical. After reviewing the data, he listens to what the patient has to say about their symptoms and then asks them the right questions to finalize the most accurate assessment.

What IS Fibromyalgia? According to many medical experts, Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and body stiffness, which may be combined with feeling tired all the time. Another interesting fact is that this condition is most common in women under the age of 50. Dr. Crayton will examine your joints and muscles trying to determine tender points that are linked with this health condition. (It is not unusual for a patient to have between 11 and 18 tender areas within their body.) 

Symptoms include:

• A burning, or throbbing pain, in many parts of the body, which can vary during the day 
• Stiffness, or aching, all over the body
• Constant fatigue, even after a good night’s sleep, with a lack of energy 
• Tension or migraine headaches 
• Bowel issues

How can you manage this disease? According to The Arthritis Foundation,

1. Take tests to check your iron levels, vitamin D deficiency, and thyroid problems.

2. Follow your doctor’s orders! Depending on the test results, Dr. Crayton may suggest getting more exercise or starting certain supplements. What is most important is to follow the recommended course of action, but communicate with Dr. Crayton if the symptoms worsen or if you have a reaction to any part of the treatment.

3. Dr. Crayton often recommends that patients take over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort. However, before he prescribes any medications, he needs to know ALL

medications you are currently taking to ensure there are no drug interactions.

4. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can go on indefinitely, or they may disappear for months and then recur.

While the symptoms of Fibromyalgia may never totally go away, we try to work on the triggers within the patient’s environment to relieve some of their anxiety and pain. If you feel you may be a candidate for a consult regarding this “stealth disease”, we’d like to encourage you to call our office so that Fibromyalgia won’t be able to steal any more of your life. Remember what Dr. Crayton tells all his patients: “Pain is not normal. Let us help.”

We Test Everything but Your Patience! ©

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, our lab offers our rheumatology patients an early and accurate diagnosis through our onsite laboratory. Headed by Dr. Hulon Crayton, who brings specialized expertise to the analysis of tests administered in the lab, he then recommends, analyzes, and administers test results. Our testing methods are particularly important in the screening and diagnosis of rheumatic disease, as well as measuring your response to the various therapies available.

Our 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 your lab work is finalized, we carefully administer follow-up care, which can ensure a better treatment plan and greatly improve your 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!

You don’t need a referral to see Dr. Crayton!

At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we prefer that our patients discuss their symptoms with their primary care physician and then ask for a referral to Dr. Hulon Crayton. However, if you have not received satisfactory answers to your questions, you may self-refer to our medical center.

Dr. Crayton is the most experienced, Board Certified Rheumatologist in the region, who also has his Master’s in Hospital Administration. Because of these dual certifications, he is uniquely qualified to run his medical practice as well as the adjoining Infusion Center.

Our medical practice prides itself in staying current on all the latest treatment options available for dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Gout as well as all connective-tissue diseases.  Never before have there been as many options for the treatment of these conditions, which include not only prescription alternatives, but the most current medical technology as well.

“I always tell my patients that pain is not normal! Early, and aggressive, treatment is necessary within the first year of diagnosis. If left untreated, Rheumatoid Arthritis can decrease a person’s life by 10 to 15 years,” said Dr. Crayton. Don’t wait … you can refer yourself to our medical practice; however, be sure you have checked with your insurance provider, before your visit, to make certain our practice is within your network of care. We can help!

“What you don’t know can hurt you. Arthritis is not just a joint disease.”

When Dr. Hulon Crayton speaks to the public, as well as to his patients, he provides them with vital information about Rheumatology.  Most people do not realize that Rheumatology is the diagnosis and treatment of more than 150 arthritic and connective-tissue disorders.

Fortunately, The Arthritis & Infusion Center provides a wide range of specialized services for arthritis. Did you know that, by definition, “arthritis” refers to any of more than 100 joint disorders characterized by pain, swelling, and limited motion or movement? Arthritis can be caused by inflammation or infection in a joint, by degeneration of a joint due to age, or by a disorder of which arthritis is a major symptom.

It might surprise you to learn that in the United States alone more than 31 million people of all ages suffer from various degrees of the disease.

Our practice deals with these three major categories of arthritis:

v  Osteoarthritis  
v  Rheumatoid Arthritis
v  Gout

Our medical practice prides itself in staying current on all the latest treatment options in dealing with arthritis, but we also deal with Osteoporosis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, as well as all connective-tissue diseases. Dr. Crayton is the most experienced Rheumatologist in this area, and is the Medical Director of our Infusion Center.

Never before have there been as many options for the treatment of these conditions. Dr. Crayton always tells people:  “Pain is not normal. Let us help!” Not only are there prescription alternatives, but our practice provides the most current in medical technology as well. To view a complete list of conditions commonly treated in our office, go to www.DrCrayton.net.

REMEMBER:  What you don’t know can hurt you!  Early, and aggressive, treatment is necessary within the first year of the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. If left untreated, it can decrease a person’s life by 10 to 15 years, and can also cause paralysis. Don’t wait any longer!  Call The Arthritis & Infusion Center …today – 873-6748.

Experience and Board Certification: A Powerful Combination

Dr. Hulon Crayton has been practicing Rheumatology since 1990, which makes him the most experienced, longest tenured, Rheumatologist in this region. In addition, he is Board Certified in Rheumatology, has maintained his licenses in good standing with all state licensing boards, and also completed his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, which makes him specially qualified to run The Arthritis & Infusion Center.

 A Rheumatologist is an internist who received further training in the diagnosis/detection and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. Also called “rheumatic” diseases, these conditions affect the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatologists treat arthritis, certain autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain, and osteoporosis. There are more than 100 rheumatic conditions, to include (but not limited to): Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and tendinitis.

  
In addition to his four (4) years of medical school and three (3) years of residency, and (2) year of fellowship training, Dr. Crayton has been practicing his specialty for almost a quarter of a century!  During that time, Dr. Crayton has compiled extensive training, and experience, in the successful treatment of his patients. He continues to evaluate his physician-patient communications by surveying patients, which guides the practice in quality improvement. Dr. Crayton has a commitment to life-long learning and frequently completes appropriate continuing-education courses.
   

Dr. Crayton is a much sought-after consultant who advises other doctors about a particular diagnosis and treatment plan. In other cases, Dr. Crayton acts as a manager of infusions needed by the patients of other physicians.

Teamwork is very important for doctor-to-patient and doctor-to-doctor relationships, and Dr. Crayton has a proven reputation of really listening to his patients in order to help them, and their families, cope with the changes rheumatic diseases may cause in their lives. 

Some rheumatic diseases are very serious and can be hard to diagnose and treat, which is why it is very important to choose a rheumatologist who has the most experience in the region for treating rheumatic disease … and that person is Dr. Hulon Crayton! No referral is necessary. Learn more about Dr. Crayton at drcrayton.net.

Am I crazy? Or, is FIBROMYALGIA real?

By: Dr. Hulon Crayton 
 

“Within the medical field, not all physicians believe in the condition referred to as Fibromyalgia. However, when I first meet with a patient, if they tell me they hurt … I believe them!  Doctors may look at an x-ray and just because it looks normal, they may assume that the patient is not experiencing any pain. Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia has no definitive way to diagnosis the condition, because there are no lab tests or x-rays that can determine this insipid disease. Conversely, an abnormal x-ray might not show the real source of the person’s pain,” said Dr. Crayton.

Diagnosis as a process:

“The way I approach the diagnosis of any disease is by compiling a thorough history of the patient in combination with a good physical. After reviewing that data, I listen to what the patient has to say about their symptoms and then ask them the right questions to finalize the most accurate assessment. It’s truly a team effort between me and the patient to reach a definitive conclusion regarding their health needs.

“Another misconception that people need to realize is that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are not the same thing!  People experiencing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may not have any pain whatsoever. In addition, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome could be caused by thyroid problems, medications (like blood pressure prescriptions), or sleep apnea to name just a few possible culprits.

“As I indicated above, Fibromyalgia has no primary way of being diagnosed, but we often use lab work to rule out other causes of the patient’s condition so that we can be absolutely certain there is not another secondary cause of the pain. Prior to coming to our office, the person may have been seeing a series of doctors for the various symptoms, (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Pain Management, Depression, and Sleep Apnea, etc.), but when these signs are combined they may point to Fibromyalgia.

There IS help!

“My work with patients who have Fibromyalgia has been very gratifying because I see their lives turn around for the better. People who have been reclusive, withdrawn from their family and friends, who haven’t been able to do the most common of daily routines like driving, grocery shopping, or interacting with the outside world – after therapy – become a part of society again, and have a new lease on life with a more positive attitude.One woman said, through her tears, ‘For someone to finally believe me when I say I have a problem, and that I’m not crazy, gives me hope for the future.’

“While the symptoms of Fibromyalgia may never totally go away, we try to work on the triggers within the patient’s environment to relieve some of their anxiety and pain. If you feel you may be a candidate for a consult regarding this “stealth disease”, we’d like to encourage you to contact our office so that Fibromyalgia won’t be able to steal any more of your life.”

What is a Rheumatologist?

What is a Rheumatologist?

Rheumatology is the study, diagnosis, and treatment of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and related conditions. A Rheumatologist is most often an internal medicine physician who has completed an additional two to three years of specialized training in the field of Rheumatology.

What type of diseases does a Rheumatologist treat?

There are more than 100 types of rheumatic conditions treated by Rheumatologist. We have listed the top 10 most common conditions treated at The Arthritis & Infusion Center.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Gout
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Sjogrens Syndrome
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Raynauds

When should I visit a Rheumatologist?

You are your best advocate for your healthcare. Listen to your body. Dr. Hulon E. Crayton wants you to know that pain is not normal, and he can help.

What information should I provide to a Rheumatologist?

To get the most from your appointment, first, take inventory of your signs and symptoms. Make a list and keep it with you so you can keep a running record of your symptoms.

Second, take your medicine bottles with you to your visit. It is important that your Rheumatologist knows exactly what you are taking, how much, and why.

Lastly, talk to your Rheumatologist. Open up to him/her. Tell your story. Don't hold back details, as it is often in the details that the discovery is made.

It is important to remember that Rheumatology is a wide specialty that often crosses over  many specialties. Establishing a comfortable and reliable relationship with your Rheumatologist is important. The team at The Arthritis & Infusion Center is here for you, ready to hear your story, and ready to help.

Know Your Numbers: Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Dr. Hulon E. Crayton wants men to "know your numbers". It is important to know testosterone levels as men age.  However, it is also important to note that "Low T"  does not strictly apply to aging men. Low T can affect men in their 20's and 30's. In this video blog, Dr. Crayton explains warning signs of low testosterone. 

Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone:                                              

• Loss of sexual desire                                                            
• Fatigue
• Loss of muscle strength
• Loss of muscle endurance
• Fibromyalgia symptoms
• Osteoporosis

The diagnosis of low testosterone is not disastrous. There are simple ways to restore healthy levels. It is important to remember that a Bone Density Study is necessary to detect Osteoporosis, or the early signs of Osteoporosis, with men diagnosed with low testosterone.

Remember, Pain is Not Normal! The team at The Arthritis & Infusion Center is here to help. Call today for an appointment.

A Rheumatologist That Understands Pain Shares a Fibromyalgia Success Story

My name is Jean Clark.  Dr. Crayton has been great as a physician for my health issues.  He has done more for me in just the last month than all the doctors I’ve seen over the last 15 years.  In 1997, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I felt I was never provided with any real treatment other than pain management prescriptions that left me feeling overly medicated, and never really fixed the problem.  Some of the medications I was given even gave me seizures.  When I began seeing Dr. Crayton, he listened to my history, showed genuine concern, and was able to provide a treatment plan for me, which included gradually weaning me off all the medications I was taking.  Less is better! If you have fibromyalgia, go see Dr. Crayton.  He’s the best!