Can Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy calm inflammation — not just melt away weight? In this episode of Thriving with Arthritis, Dr. Diana Girnita, board-certified rheumatologist and PhD in immunology, sits down with Dr. Vishnuteja Devalla to unpack the fast-growing science of GLP-1 medications in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

They break down how GLP-1 drugs actually work, why the same receptor lives on your immune cells, and what the latest evidence really shows for autoimmune disease — separating real science from the headlines and hype.

In this episode:

• What GLP-1 medications are and how they work (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound explained)
• The key difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide — and why GIP matters for weight loss
• How GLP-1 receptors on macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells calm inflammation
• The surprising drop in TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6 — the exact targets of our biologics
• What the UCLA study and PASI data reveal for RA and psoriatic arthritis
• Why obesity fuels inflammation and drives worse treatment response
• Will GLP-1s ever replace methotrexate or biologics? (The honest answer)
• Microdosing GLP-1s for inflammation — lower cost, fewer side effects
• The compounded-medication warning every patient needs to hear
• How to safely reduce medication when you start feeling better
• Where GLP-1 therapy is heading in the next 5 years

⚠️ This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk with your own rheumatologist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

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More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

• Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
• Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200

Climbing Kilimanjaro with rheumatoid arthritis — off medication. Jon did it. And in this episode, his rheumatologist explains how.

Most people hear "rheumatoid arthritis" and brace for a life sentence.

Dr. Diana Girnita, a board-certified rheumatologist, sits down with Jon, a patient she guided from daily pain and methotrexate to drug-free remission — and, a few years later, to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Together, they walk through what that journey actually looked like, including the setbacks.

You'll hear how a personalized plan — nutrition, targeted supplements, sleep, stress, and exercise — worked alongside medication rather than instead of it, and why coming off methotrexate was a slow, carefully monitored process, never a sudden stop. Jon also opens up about why methotrexate is so often misunderstood, what the "chemo drug" fear gets wrong, and what it felt like to taper down while his blood work stayed clean.

This conversation is also about partnership.

Jon was in Florida; Dr. Girnita was in California.

They break down what made that telehealth relationship work, what to look for in a rheumatologist, and why the right doctor in your corner pays off not just this year, but over the next ten and fifteen.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why drug-free remission is possible for some people with RA — and what realistically has to be in place for it to happen
• How lifestyle changes (nutrition, supplements, sleep, stress, exercise) work with medication, not as a replacement for it
• Why tapering off methotrexate should always be slow, gradual, and guided by blood work — never a sudden stop
• What the common "chemo drug" fear about methotrexate gets wrong
• How to tell whether your treatment is actually working, and which markers your doctor should be monitoring
• What to look for in a rheumatologist — and the questions that signal a true partnership
• Why telehealth can work for chronic disease management, even across state lines

A note on hope and honesty: Jon's drug-free remission is real, but it isn't the outcome for everyone, and his results don't replace individualized care. What his story offers is a different question to bring to your own treatment — what's actually possible for you, with the right plan and the right monitoring.

If RA has ever left you feeling dismissed, overwhelmed, or resigned, this episode is a reset. Whether you were diagnosed last month or a decade ago, you'll leave with practical direction and a renewed sense of what thriving can look like.

Jon's story proves that with determination, education, and the right medical guidance, an active, vibrant life is possible. So — what's your summit?

Support the show

More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

• Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
• Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200

Most autoimmune diseases hide in plain sight — often dismissed as aging, stress, or minor aches. But what if you could spot the hidden signals before irreversible damage occurs?

Dr. Diana Girnita, a board-certified rheumatologist, reveals five silent yet telling signs your immune system may be quietly attacking your body — in ways most people overlook or misinterpret.

From fatigue that rest can't fix, to subtle joint stiffness, skin changes, persistent dry eyes, and the sudden color shifts in your fingers, these clues can help you catch autoimmune conditions early — saving years of suffering and unnecessary specialist visits.

In this eye-opening episode, we break down the science behind inflammatory fatigue, how to distinguish inflammatory joint pain from aging, and recognize skin and hair changes that often go unnoticed.

You’ll discover why persistent dry mouth or eyes could signal Sjogren’s disease, how to differentiate autoimmune symptoms from common ailments, and why a simple color change in your fingers might be an early warning sign of Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Dr. Girnita, shares her expertise on the importance of recognizing patterns, especially in women aged 30 to 65, and emphasizes that catching these signs early can preserve your joint and organ health.

This episode is essential listening for anyone experiencing unexplained fatigue, joint pain, skin issues, or color changes in their extremities — because early detection can mean the difference between lifelong damage and a chance to regain control.

If you or someone you care about has been brushed off or misdiagnosed, these insights could change everything.
With over four million Americans affected, autoimmune diseases are more common than you think — and they’re often misunderstood. Let Dr. Girnita guide you through the signs that matter most, so you can advocate for your health before it’s too late.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Introduction to autoimmune signs
• 0:46 - Sign 1: Fatigue that sleep doesn't fix
• 2:36 - Sign 2: Morning joint stiffness
• 4:37 - Sign 3: Skin and hair changes
• 6:53 - Sign 4: Persistent dry eyes and mouth
• 8:49 - Sign 5: Raynaud's phenomenon
• 10:33 - Importance of recognizing patterns

Support the show

More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

• Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
• Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200