In this real Q&A, I answer questions from someone newly diagnosed with RA who’s currently taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). We talk through what “treat-to-target” actually means, why early control of inflammation matters, and how to think about medication fears in a way that’s grounded (not scary).

In this video, we cover:
--What “treat-to-target” means and why timing is a big deal in RA
--Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) vs. “just getting by”
--When Plaquenil may not be enough, and what escalation can look like (DMARDs/biologics)
--How to weigh medication risks against the risks of untreated RA (including long-term steroid use)
--Lifestyle support that helps inflammation (stress, sleep, vagus nerve) — plus why smoking matters

Question for you: What’s the #1 thing you wish someone explained right after your RA diagnosis?

#RheumatoidArthritis #RA #AutoimmuneDisease #Rheumatology #Plaquenil #Hydroxychloroquine #Methotrexate #Biologics #TreatToTarget #JointPain #Inflammation #ChronicIllness

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe for more community driven and rheumatology-based content! Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/@Rheumatology101/videos

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Are you, or someone you love, looking for a rheumatologist near you? Maybe you queried Google for the “best rheumatologist in Denver” and felt that no other arthritis clinic in Denver really seemed personable? Or maybe you are simply looking for a doctor who will listen to you and work with you to achieve disease remission? Well, you have come to the right place. UnabridgedMD has the best rheumatologist in Denver, Colorado and we cannot wait to work with you.

Are you skipping your arthritis medications out of fear? You’re not alone—but the hidden costs can be bigger than you realize. In this Rheumatology 101 episode, Dr. Isabelle Amigues breaks down why untreated inflammatory arthritis can lead to more pain, joint damage, and long-term health risks. Learn the real risks of stopping your meds, how to talk to your doctor about concerns, and what science says about the safest path to remission.

Don’t let fear stand between you and your healthiest future—watch now to get empowered, informed, and supported!

#Rheumatology101 #ArthritisAwareness #MedicationMyths #JointHealth #RheumatologistExplains #AutoimmuneSupport #patientempowerment

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe for more community driven and rheumatology-based content! Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/@Rheumatology101/videos

📅 Book your free consultation: https://calendar.app.google/otzzffKGtQBJnBgs8

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📞 Contact Us: 303-731-4006 | info@unabridgedmd.com

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Are you, or someone you love, looking for a rheumatologist near you? Maybe you queried Google for the “best rheumatologist in Denver” and felt that no other arthritis clinic in Denver really seemed personable? Or maybe you are simply looking for a doctor who will listen to you and work with you to achieve disease remission? Well, you have come to the right place. UnabridgedMD has the best rheumatologist in Denver, Colorado and we cannot wait to work with you.

Dr. Isabelle Amigues unpacks why patients often recover better, faster, and more deeply in a supportive group. From mirror neurons and oxytocin to vagus nerve activation and the power of clinician belief, she explains how community and medicine accelerates remission—then previews UnabridgedMD’s upcoming physician-led healing cohorts.

What You’ll Learn:

From competition to collaboration: How traditional, competitive medical training contrasts with the superior outcomes of team-based care—and why adding patients to the care team elevates results.

The brain science of group healing

Mirror neurons: observing others practice skills (e.g., injections, PT) improves your own learning and adherence.

Oxytocin up, cortisol down: group practices (breath, chant, yoga) boost bonding hormones and reduce stress chemistry—fertile ground for recovery.

Vagus nerve / parasympathetic activation: group rituals nudge the nervous system into “rest-and-repair,” lowering inflammation.

Placebo power, reframed: Why clinician belief and a supportive cohort measurably enhance outcomes (a reason trials are double-blind)—and how to harness that effect ethically.

Mindset shapes pain: Attention directs perception; scanning for what’s working reduces pain. Group programs for chronic pain (e.g., back pain) consistently show greater relief and fewer relapses than going solo.

Medication and milieu: Biologics and DMARDs are powerful tools, but outcomes improve further when paired with community practices that activate anti-inflammatory pathways.

Safety, accountability, momentum: Groups create a psychologically safe space to try new habits, show up consistently, and stay on track—especially valuable in rheumatologic conditions.

What’s next at UnabridgedMD: A webinar and physician-led community cohorts designed to help patients reach and sustain remission through evidence-based medical care plus group-based nervous-system and lifestyle practices.


If a trusted group could help you heal 25–40% faster, what habit or symptom would you choose to transform first?

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Isabelle Amigues sits down with her patient Elizabeth Anthony to discuss her journey from a high school lupus diagnosis and years of difficult symptoms, to finally finding answers and support at UnabridgedMD. Liz shares her struggles with medications, navigating the healthcare system, and the power of listening to her own intuition—even when others doubted her. Together, they explore what true partnership in care looks like, why feeling heard matters, and how hope and persistence can lead to real healing.

If you or someone you love is feeling lost or unheard in their autoimmune journey, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe for more patient stories, expert advice, and hope-driven science.

#Lupus #AutoimmuneDisease #PatientStory #Rheumatology #Hope #ChronicIllness #UnabridgedMD #HealingJourney

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe for more community driven and rheumatology-based content! Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/@Rheumatology101/videos

📅 Book your free consultation: https://calendar.app.google/otzzffKGtQBJnBgs8

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🌐 Explore our free resource: www.PositiveANA.com

📞 Contact Us: 303-731-4006 | info@unabridgedmd.com

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Are you, or someone you love, looking for a rheumatologist near you? Maybe you queried Google for the “best rheumatologist in Denver” and felt that no other arthritis clinic in Denver really seemed personable? Or maybe you are simply looking for a doctor who will listen to you and work with you to achieve disease remission? Well, you have come to the right place. UnabridgedMD has the best rheumatologist in Denver, Colorado and we cannot wait to work with you.

Choosing a health insurance plan can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re living with a chronic illness like inflammatory arthritis. In this episode, Dr. Isabelle Amigues breaks down insurance in simple, practical terms so you can stop guessing and start choosing confidently. She explains how to compare plans, what “max out-of-pocket” really means, and how expensive medications (like biologics) can actually work in your financial favor. If you’ve ever stared at open enrollment options and felt lost, this conversation is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Who this episode is for
  • When this guidance applies (not for Medicaid; partially for Medicare).
  • How it helps people with chronic conditions, especially rheumatologic diseases.
• Heath insurance basis explained clearly
  • The difference between premium, deductible, and maximum out-of-pocket.
  • Why Dr. Amigues focuses more on max out-of-pocket than on deductibles.
  • Why planning as if you’ll hit your max out-of-pocket can actually protect you.
• Plans for healthy vs. chronically ill individuals
  • When a shared health plan or emergency-only style plan might be reasonable.
  • Why people over ~35 or with chronic conditions should think differently.
• Using high-cost medications to your advantage
  • How biologics and other expensive medications often trigger drug company copay programs.
  • How these copay programs can help you hit your max out-of-pocket early in the year.
  • Why this can mean you pay mostly just your monthly premium while insurance covers more.
• How to compare insurance plans step-by-step
  • Setting up a simple spreadsheet with:
    • Plan name
    • Monthly premium
    • Maximum out-of-pocket
  • Calculating your true annual cost: (12 × monthly premium) + max out-of-pocket.
  • Comparing plans realistically instead of just chasing the lowest deductible.
• If you’re trying to minimize your total costs
  • How some drug companies provide medications for free if you’re uninsured (and why she still recommends having insurance).
  • Why insurance should be viewed as protection and peace of mind, not just an expense.
• Smart ways to invest in your health care
  • Why pairing insurance with direct primary care and direct-care specialists (like Dr. Amigues) often leads to better care and long-term savings.
  • Using tools like GoodRx, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, and copay programs to reduce medication costs.
• Bonus: Using HSAs strategically
  • How high-deductible plans + HSA can be a tax-advantaged way to prepare for health costs.
  • Why every dollar in your HSA is essentially worth more because it’s pre-tax and can roll over year to year.
• Upcoming free webinar & resources
  • Dr. Amigues introduces her free webinar on the autonomic nervous system and inflammation—how understanding your nervous system can help you reach remission faster.
  • Encouragement to register, ask questions, and use education as a form of empowerment.

If you’ve ever wondered “Which plan should I actually pick?” or “How do my meds affect what I choose?”, this episode gives you a concrete, physician-backed roadmap to make the smartest choice for your health and wallet.

#UnabridgedMD #HealthInsuranceTips #RheumatologyCare

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Isabelle Amigues sits down with Erica Canzler, who shares her journey from a life-changing rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis in 2015 to complete remission—and finishing the legendary Leadville 100 race.

Erica opens up about the frustrations of conventional care, the difference holistic and concierge medicine made at UnabridgedMD, and how healing means more than just physical health. Dr. Amigues and Erica discuss the importance of patient autonomy, hope, and the power of treating the whole person. If you or someone you love is facing a rheumatologic diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen for encouragement and practical advice.

📌 Like, comment, and subscribe for more community driven and rheumatology-based content! Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/@Rheumatology101/videos

📅 Book your free consultation: https://calendar.app.google/otzzffKGtQBJnBgs8

📰 Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.unabridgedmd.com/

🌐 Explore our free resource: www.PositiveANA.com

📞 Contact Us: 303-731-4006 | info@unabridgedmd.com

✅ Stay Connected
👉 Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/UnabridgedMD?_rdc=1&_rdr
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridgedmd/
👉 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unabridgedmd4
👉 Twitter (X): https://x.com/UnabridgedMD

Are you, or someone you love, looking for a rheumatologist near you? Maybe you queried Google for the “best rheumatologist in Denver” and felt that no other arthritis clinic in Denver really seemed personable? Or maybe you are simply looking for a doctor who will listen to you and work with you to achieve disease remission? Well, you have come to the right place. UnabridgedMD has the best rheumatologist in Denver, Colorado and we cannot wait to work with you.

Can a COVID-19 infection flip a hidden switch in your immune system—triggering arthritis or other autoimmune conditions? Dr. Isabelle Amigues explains what she’s seeing in clinic, the science behind post-infection immune shifts, and why treatment and vaccination choices must be tailored to you.

What You’ll Learn:

From infection to inflammation: Real cases of new-onset inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic) and PMR emerging soon after COVID-19—and how clinicians decide if it’s causation or coincidence.

The “two-hit” model: Genetics and risk factors (family history, smoking, stress, adiposity) can lie dormant until an infection like COVID-19 triggers overt autoimmunity.

Immune overdrive & treatment overlap: Why severe COVID-19 sometimes responds to steroid/IL-6/TNF-blocking therapies—tools also used for autoimmune disease—plus what that tells us about shared pathways.

Treat what’s in front of you: If your labs/exam meet criteria for RA/PMR/vasculitis/lupus, treat per standard rheumatology care—regardless of whether COVID was the spark.

Post-COVID (long COVID) nuance: Dysautonomia, fatigue, exercise intolerance often require team-based care (coaching, nutrition, PT, psychotherapy) to rebalance sympathetic/parasympathetic systems.

Vaccination decisions: Not one-size-fits-all. Context matters—prior reactions, exposure risk, location, and current therapies (e.g., IVIG may already provide community antibodies)—so decide with your rheumatologist.

Science evolves, partnership endures: Cutting through misinformation with clear, individualized education and a strong patient-physician relationship.

What’s next: Details on Dr. Amigues’ upcoming holistic inflammation webinar and group coaching designed to speed remission and build resilience.


If an infection can nudge a predisposed immune system into autoimmunity, which lever will you pull this week to lower baseline inflammation—sleep, stress care, movement, nutrition, or community support?

Early action changes everything. In this episode, Dr. Isabelle Amigues breaks down exactly how timely diagnosis, clear treatment goals, and a physician who actually listens can move patients from painful flares to true remission—without living on steroids.

Topics Covered:

• Why Speed Matters: The “early window” in inflammatory arthritis (e.g., RA) leads to faster remission, fewer erosions, and better long-term outcomes.
• What Remission Really Means: No joint pain/swelling, <15 minutes morning stiffness, normal inflammatory markers, and no fatigue—off steroids.
• Methotrexate (MTX) with a Plan:
  • Start, assess tolerance/efficacy at ~1 month, titrate as needed.
  • If not tolerated (e.g., nausea, hair loss) or ineffective → switch; you don’t have to suffer for 3 months.
• Don’t Get Stuck on Steroids: Prednisone is a bridge, not a plan. Set a taper timeline from day one and confirm remission without steroids.
• When to Add Biologics/Targeted Therapy:
  • If not in minimal disease activity by ~3 months on MTX, add a TNF inhibitor or other advanced therapy.
  • If a biologic isn’t tolerated, switch promptly—don’t wait months.
• Navigating Insurance Without Losing Momentum:
  • Try MTX when appropriate for coverage, but escalate when it’s not working.
  • Use manufacturer bridge programs to avoid treatment gaps while approvals process.
• De-escalation Strategy (Once Stable):
  • First taper steroids, then consider spacing/adjusting advanced therapy.
  • Sometimes a tiny MTX dose helps prevent anti-drug antibodies when tapering biologics.
• Direct Care Advantage: Longer visits, ongoing access, individualized plans, and education that empowers you to understand every step—from ignition (putting out the fire) to maintenance (keeping it out).
• Patient Partnership, Not Gaslighting: You deserve timely referrals, clear goals, and a doctor who respects your input and symptoms.

Have a friend newly diagnosed with RA or another inflammatory arthritis? Share this episode to help them advocate for early, effective care.

If you knew you could reach steroid-free remission faster with a clear plan, what conversation would you start with your rheumatologist today?