In all things, give thanks. I heard this saying regularly while growing up. My mother told my brother and me that we should be thankful for every life experience. I’m not sure if we were supposed to be grateful for overcoming our obstacles or expected to…

A new statistical analysis of Finland’s nationwide cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) registry found that sudden cardiac death plays a significant role in the outcome of CS patients, affirming the importance of risk assessment in this patient population. The study, “Sudden death in…

Using Jakafi (ruxolitinib) to treat a woman with polycythemia vera (PV; a blood cancer) led to complete resolution of her cutaneous sarcoidosis, and to mild reduction of her lung nodules, according to a case report. The findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy, especially for patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis,…

I have an extreme aversion to needles. When I was much younger and needed to have blood drawn, I would pass out during the process. This happened every time, without fail, regardless of how we tried to prevent it. When my primary care physician, who is also a pulmonologist in…

A new report describes a woman with a very rare case of sarcoidosis involving only the spine who entered full remission after surgical removal of the lesion followed by treatment with corticosteroids. Based on this case report, researchers advised that cases of spinal sarcoidosis should be managed by…

According to a new study comparing older and younger sarcoidosis patients, elderly people with sarcoidosis tend to have more severe disease and worse clinical outcomes. The study, “Elderly sarcoidosis: A comparative study from a 42-year single-centre experience,” was published in the journal Respiratory Medicine.  Sarcoidosis usually presents…

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been doing a lot of introspection. I’ve been thinking about how I came to be in this situation — living with sarcoidosis — and how I’m not going to let this illness define the rest of my life.

Finding an exercise routine to stick with can be challenging under the best of circumstances. Since my sarcoidosis diagnosis, it has become even more of a dilemma. Research shows exercise can help with an overall sense of well-being and quality of life in those with sarcoidosis. But how…

Severe chronic pain is a part of life for many of us with sarcoidosis, even with the use of pain medications. I’ve come to cope with my round-the-clock pain by accepting it as part of my “new normal” with sarcoidosis. Instead of being hellbent on trying to find…

Alterations in the blood cell count of people with sarcoidosis might indicate that the disease has invaded the bone marrow, a case report suggests. Doctors should therefore consider this clinical sign to aid in early diagnosis and avoid further complications. The study, “Bone marrow involvement in sarcoidosis:…