Clik here to view.
Emigration and arthritis. Some things to consider.
One of the realities of Ireland’s fall from economic grace is the large numbers of people emigrating from our shores in search of a better life. I know this because amongst them are some of my younger...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Weather, Arthritis and Woody Allen’s Orgasmatron.
Woody Allen’s 1970 movie ‘Sleeper’ introduced its audience to a fictional, futuristic device called the Orgasmatron. This remarkeable invention was capable of inducing physiological changes (of a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
#rheumedu. A new Hashtag for Rheumatology education
Rheumatology healthcare professionals need a Twitter Hashtag to assist in the education of specialists through the the exchange of clinical and practical information relevant to rheumatology. It is my...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A second opinion
In my first few months working as a rheumatologist a referral letter arrived from a local doctor about a lady with rheumatoid arthritis. She had recently moved to the West of Ireland from the UK, where...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What do you want to know about rheumatoid arthritis?
This month, to the embarrassment of my children, I have decided to record a series of online educational video’s online. I have decided to start with rheumatoid arthritis. Whereas I have an idea of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Granny burnout; a new occupational disorder?
‘I just can’t do it anymore doctor. I’m a wreck’. Mary is a widowed 72 year old lady who has a bad back, sore wrists and shoulders and as a result, has difficulty sleeping and sometimes even dressing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Do you mind if I swear doctor?
I really don’t mind if you do. Although joint injections in the my hands aren’t too painful, the first time a doctor put a needle into my knee I swore*. The expletives popped out of me, just like...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ping Pong – The Movie.
The late comedian, Bill hicks has a hilarious routine on the perils growing old. Although its probably best not reproduce the actual wording here, he remarks how, if he were to be given extra years in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
An orthopaedic guide to the Kama Sutra
Not being able to have sex, or struggling to enjoy it because of arthritis is a big deal to a lot of people. 50% of our patients with hip arthritis will have some difficulty having sex as a result of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cannabis for arthritis. What’s the story?
Despite the fact that herbal cannabis is being used by many patients for arthritis symptom relief, and although the medical use of cannabis has been legalised in certain countries, most doctors...
View ArticleClik here to view.
23 and Me and Me.
My patient is a middle aged professional, with no symptoms what so ever. He is fit and healthy, a non smoker, has good teeth, eats well and has no family history of arthritis or autoimmune disease. So...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Paging Dr Beat the headbanger
As my 50th birthday party celebration approaches, my teenage kids grow increasingly anxious about the prospect of watching their dad ‘getting down’ on the dance floor on the big night. I understand...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The humbling art of medicine — the right to be wrong
I was at a wonderful presentation by a senior colleague recently. Close to retirement, he had been invited to offer some pearls of wisdom to those attending. In doing so he presented a litany of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The appliance of science
I’ve just returned from my specialty’s annual scientific meeting in Boston. The meeting truly is the ‘Virgin Megastore’ of our specialty, with over 15,000 delegates, 3,000 scientific abstracts,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mindfulness Resources for Chronic Pain
What is Mindfulness based meditation? Mindfulness based meditation has been around for thousands of years. Whereas modern mindfulness practice has some origins in the Buddhist tradition, one does not...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A right pain in the neck
Last weekend I was rear ended and my sturdy 2006 Volvo V-70, which I had planned on driving for another few years, was written off. As I got out of the car, I became aware that my neck was painful but...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Diet, supplements and dietary fads in arthritis
One of the questions I’m most frequently asked by patients is whether diet plays any role in the management of arthritis. If one were to believe what they read in the papers about dietary remedies, or...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Coping with Corona Virus: A few things to help you stay calm.
Having spoken to dozens of patients on the phone this week, and having spent more than a few sleepless nights myself, I am all too aware of the impact that this strange, strange time is having on all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What if I can’t get my Plaquenil prescription?
Most of those taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, will be aware that the drug is in demand as a an experimental treatment for Corona virus...
View ArticleWelcoming patients back in person.
Until recently we have been trying to manage as many of our existing patients remotely using a combination of video consultations and phone. This has worked well and we will be using this facility for...
View Article
