Many people with a rheumatic disease face challenges and a lot of concerns when it comes to family planning. What effect does my medication have on my ability to conceive? Will I be able to get pregnant? How will my disease react during pregnancy? What if I get pregnant while on medications that could be harmful? These concerns can play a significant role in family planning decisions. Planning for a pregnancy when you live with a rheumatic disease is vital, whether you are male or female. Certain medications should be stopped prior to trying to conceive, which makes the whole…
Author: Rebecca Gillett, MS OTR/L
Rebecca Gillett, MS OTR/L
Mission-driven occupational therapist, patient advocate, professional educator and skilled communications expert and content strategist dedicated to empowering others with chronic illness. Rebecca has utilized both her professional and personal lived experience with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease to develop and instruct patient education content, as well as arthritis/rheumatic conditions continuing education courses for other occupational and physical therapists. She is a writer and experienced producer of multimedia content from infographics to videos and podcasts. She served as the host of the Live Yes! With Arthritis podcast for 83 episodes. Rebecca is a fierce advocate for health equity and has helped shape legislative policy through her testimony and advocacy work. She currently serves as a patient consumer advocate in a governor-appointed position on the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise Board in Colorado. Rebecca is also serving as a member of the American College of Rheumatology’s Committee on Rheumatologic Care.
This article is based on presentations from the 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence conference in San Diego, CA with approximately 13,000 health care providers, clinicians, researchers, and patients from all over the world in attendance. Just as medical treatments for rheumatic conditions have evolved over the past couple decades, so, too, has advancements in supporting fertility and family planning. When you have a rheumatic condition or other chronic condition that requires medication, the idea of starting a family requires you start with a lot of planning. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other rheumatic conditions, a diagnosis…
The 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence conference was held in November in San Diego, CA, with approximately 13,000 health care providers, clinicians, researchers, and patients from all over the world in attendance. When you live with a chronic disease, you know what it’s like to ride the roller coaster of emotions as you navigate your journey with your diagnosis. Some days may just suck the life out of you, while others can bring you little victories to brighten your day. But always, there’s an underlying feeling you have that will ground you and bring you to a more…