025 Normal Labs, Real Symptoms: Patient Advocacy & Hope with Rheumatologist Dr. Reeti Joshi

When your labs say “normal” but your body says otherwise—Dr. Reeti Joshi shares advocacy tools, faith, and hope for chronic illness.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “normal” labs can still miss real disease activity—and how doctors actually interpret results in context of your story
• Concrete ways to self-advocate (questions to ask, when to seek a second opinion, and how to communicate across specialties)
• How a physician with her own autoimmune disease builds trust, listens, and practices shared decision-making
• Why second and third visits often unlock key history—and how to prepare for them
• “Never give up”: practical encouragement for long hauls, older patients, and anyone feeling burned out by the system
• The quiet power of faith/spirituality, community, and small daily rituals (hello, hot tea ☕) in the healing journey

Memorable Quotes

• “Patients rarely read a textbook. In autoimmunity, you often have to turn the textbook upside down.” —Dr. Joshi
• “I can’t interpret your labs without hearing your story. History is the first test.” —Dr. Joshi
• “Sometimes advocacy means not taking no for an answer—and overcoming gaslighting to get the care you need.” —Dr. Joshi
• “Never give up. There’s always new science coming—and there’s always a next right step.” —Dr. Joshi
• “We’re very adaptable; we reshape life around illness. Part of the work is seeing how long this has really been with us.” —Dr. Joshi

Reflection / Journal Prompt for the Week

• When did my symptoms truly begin (not just when they became unbearable)?
• What parts of my life have I quietly reshaped around illness—and what do those patterns teach me now?
• Who is my “pillar of strength” (doctor, nurse, friend, spouse, community)—and how can I lean on them this week?

One Tiny Step for the Week Bring a 1-page “advocacy sheet” to your next appointment:

• Top 3 symptoms (with impact on daily life)
• 3 questions you need answered
• 1 non-negotiable (e.g., “I need you to explain how this plan fits my actual day-to-day limits.”)

Resources

• The One-Minute Joy Journal (find one thing good, even on hard days) → [Link to your product]
• Contact Dr. Reeti Joshi: drreetijoshi@gmail.com
• Find support & community: The Unseen Sisterhood newsletter → [Link]
• Patient advocacy starter list (questions to bring):
  • “How does this result fit my symptoms?”
  • “If this lab is ‘normal,’ what else could explain my pain/fatigue?”
  • “What’s the next step if this plan doesn’t help in 4–6 weeks?”
  • “When should I seek a second opinion or a higher-level center?”

Credits

• Guest: Dr. Reeti Joshi, MD, Rheumatologist
• Host & Producer: April Aramanda
• Show: The Invisible Illness Club Podcast
• Music/Editing: Envato