“Often, this means letting patients know that being pain free may not be the goal—but rather pain tolerable,” she says. “I also inform them how the first therapy we try may not be always be the right fit for them and that sometimes it’s a trial-and-error experience. Although it may seem like a roller-coaster ride, I reassure my patients that I’m there to support them.”
Following Her Own Path
Twelve years after graduating from medical school, Dr. Pagnussat continues to enjoy her choice of specialty and the rewards that come with making a difference in the lives of patients who often feel their diagnosis equates disability.
“I like the field of rheumatology, because it allows me to follow patients over the years and through the course of their disease, while also building lasting relationships,” Dr. Pagnussat says.
When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Christian, and their two young daughters, Kaitlin and Abigail.
“I try not to pile too much on my plate,” Dr. Pagnussat says. “A typical evening after work involves spending time with my husband and daughters playing board games or watching television.”
To keep her RA symptoms in check and to keep joints and muscles in motion and to build muscle strength, Dr. Pagnassat also enjoys swimming and spinning classes.
“I know my body, and I don’t push myself beyond what I’m capable of doing, and I encourage my patients to do the same,” she says. “I also don’t beat myself up if I only manage to exercise three times a week.”
And as she knows from first-hand experience, staying on top of her RA symptoms to prevent flares is critical, yet Dr. Pagnussat admits there have been times when she hasn’t always been the perfect patient.
“I don’t routinely share this with patients, but there were times in my younger years when I would stop taking my medications to see what would happen,” she says. “I definitely don’t encourage my patients to do this!”
Linda Childers is a health writer located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
