Sage Rheumatology

📢 Exciting News for Patients: A Brand New Pill for Dermatomyositis!

📢We have some very exciting news to share! The FDA just approved a new medicine called Lisraya™ (brepocitinib). It is the first-ever targeted daily pill made just for adults living with dermatomyositis (DM).

Dermatomyositis is a rare disease that causes the body's immune system to attack itself. This causes painful skin rashes and weak muscles. For a long time, patients had to take high doses of steroids or get long IV infusions at the hospital. This new pill gives patients a brand new way to fight the disease right at home.

🔬 What the Research Found
Doctors tested this medicine in a major study called the VALOR trial. Here is what they found for patients taking the pill once a day:
- Stronger Muscles: The medicine helped patients get their muscle strength back. This makes it easier to do everyday things like walking up stairs or getting dressed.

- Getting Off Steroids: High-dose steroids can cause tough side effects over time. In the study, 61% of patients were able to lower their daily steroid dose, and 41% were able to stop taking steroids completely!

- Clearer Skin: Over 45% of patients saw their painful skin rashes clear up. Also, 54% of patients said their terrible skin itch felt much better in just 4 weeks.

🛡️ Safety First
Like all strong medicines, Lisraya can have risks. It comes with warnings about serious infections or heart issues. Because everyone's body is different, doctors should look closely at your health history to make sure this medicine is safe for you.

🌱 The Sage Rheumatology Approach: Looking at the Whole Picture
At Sage Rheumatology, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the disease. If this new medicine is right for you, we won't just hand you a prescription and send you on your way.

We take an integrative approach. That means we combine advanced medical treatments like Lisraya with focus on your diet, sleep, and lifestyle. Changing what you eat and how you move can help lower inflammation even more. This helps your body heal from the inside out.

💼 What This Means for Your Care
If you are living with dermatomyositis and want a treatment plan that looks at both medicine and lifestyle, we are here to help.

Book an inquiry call at www.sage-rheumatology.com if you want to find out more.

Sage Rheumatology - Direct, Integrative Care Sage Rheumatology is a membership-based micro-practice in Spokane, WA, led by Dr. Catherine A. Lee. We provide comprehensive, integrative rheumatology care through a holistic, direct-pay model designed to support your long-term wellness.

It's hard to believe that it's been a little over a week since fires tore through our community. When I travel and people ask where I'm from and what Spokane is like, I tell them that unlike big cities, here in Spokane, everyone is connected by no more than 3 degrees of separation. It's certainly felt like that over the past week. Although my family was not immediately affected by the fires, we know, and know of, so many people who were and are now dealing with the aftermath. 🥲

If you are reading this and need resources or want to donate, here are a few websites/organizations I recommend:

https://www.spokanerealtors.com/wildfire-relief-resources/
They are taking money and clothing donations. Their site also lists local resources for those in need.

They are also offering a wildfire grant to those in need:
https://www.spokanerealtors.com/wildfire/
The money donated will stay local, and they are not charging an administrative fee.

https://projectbeautyshare.org/
They are providing personal care products to those in need.

disclosure: My husband has been a member and former president of their board.

https://my.spokanecity.org/endinghomelessness/donations/
The money donated will stay local and they are not charging an administrative fee. Those affected by the fires can apply for financial assistance.

H.O.M.E. Starts Here Donations The H.O.M.E Starts Here Fund, which is typically used to support services for people experiencing homelessness, is being activated to accept donations

You can still catch the replays of all of the sessions at the Virtual Sjogren's Summit for free through July 27!

So many great speakers, so many helpful and thought-provoking topics, so many tips and tricks for navigating the healthcare system and self-advocacy!

And you can catch my talk on day #1!

Here's the link to register: https://www.sjogrenssummit.com/vss2026/register-1s?am_id=catherinelee3378

**if you decide to buy a pass to access the Virtual Sjogren's Summit talks forever, I may receive a commission as an affiliate.

The Virtual Sjögren's Summit live days are done, but the replays are free through July 27 if you registered for the free pass — and the full 2022–2026 library is yours to keep with the Encore pass.

Grab it here: https://lnkd.in/geEzh7fB

It was a great Virtual Sjogren's Summit - so many interesting speakers, and I am still enjoying learning through the replays.

Comment on what you learned or what you loved about the Summit to enter into a drawing for 1 free Encore Pass that I am giving away. 😀

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on Encore Passes purchased through my link.

Tomorrow is the last LIVE day of the Virtual Sjogren's Summit. It's been such a great experience so far - so much helpful information and a wonderful welcoming community!

It's not too late to register for the free pass which will allow you to watch the sessions tomorrow live and the replays up through July 27.

Here's the link to sign up for a free pass: https://lnkd.in/geEzh7fB

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on All Access Passes purchased through my link. 😊

Comment below on what you've enjoyed so far or what you are looking forward to learning about to enter into a drawing I am holding to give away 1 free ALL ACCESS Pass!

And so day #1 of the Virtual Sjogren's Summit ends. It was an honor being a part of the Summit and the Live Q&A! I've learned so much already!

It's still not too late to register! It's free and content will be available through 7/27 .... or forever, if you purchase an All Access Pass.

Here's the link to sign up for a free pass: https://lnkd.in/geEzh7fB

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on All Access Passes purchased through my link. 😊

The 5th Annual Virtual Sjogren's Summit has started! It's not too late to register!

Three days, 37 specialists, and one honest question: what does it take to thrive with Sjögren's in the new era of treatment?

Registration (free live pass): https://lnkd.in/geEzh7fB

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on tickets purchased through my link. 😊

If you live with Sjögren's — or love someone who does — this is worth your time. The 5th Virtual Sjögren's Summit is three days of leading specialists on what's actually new in treatment and how to feel more like yourself day to day.

It's online and the live pass is free.

Save your spot: https://www.sjogrenssummit.com/vss2026/register-1s?am_id=catherinelee3378

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on tickets purchased through my link.

It's just days away now!!!

The 5th Virtual Sjögren's Summit (VSS2026) brings together clinicians, researchers, and lived-experience voices for three days of honest conversation about living well with Sjögren's. Three tracks: Treatment Advances & Clinical Science, Self-Management & Daily Function, and Mind, Community & Care Teams. July 16–18, 2026, all virtual.

Free to register. Watch all sessions live, July 16–18. Want recordings and lifetime access? The All Access Pass is available at checkout — or anytime before the live days.

FREE LIVE PASS: https://lnkd.in/eFTid6K8

*** I'm giving away one free ALL ACCESS PASS. To enter the drawing, comment below on what you are excited to learn about during the upcoming Summit! One entry per person please - although please feel free to share if there are multiple topics you are interested in 😀

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on passes purchased through my link.

I'm honored to be speaking at the 5th Virtual Sjögren's Summit — VSS2026 — July 16–18, 2026.

The summit gathers clinicians across rheumatology, ophthalmology, integrative medicine, and primary care alongside researchers, patient advocates, and lived-experience voices. The unifying theme this year is "Stronger With Sjögren's: Thriving in the New Era" — built on a simple premise: as the treatment landscape advances, patients do best when emerging therapies and daily self-management are integrated, not siloed.

My session: Finding Your Bearings: A Rheumatologist's Guide to Charting Your Own Path With Integrative Sjogren's Care.

If you live with Sjögren's — or love someone who does — share this with them.

It's online and the live pass is free:
→ https://www.sjogrenssummit.com/vss2026/register-1s?am_id=catherinelee3378

Disclosure: I'm a VSS2026 affiliate and may earn a commission on tickets purchased through my link.

** Comment below on what you're looking forward to hearing about or learning and you'll be entered in a drawing for a free pass to access all of the talks after the Summit.