Holman Andrew MD

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Patrick Wood MD, former LSU professor and head of LSU Fibromyalgia Research Department and Clinic, current scientific advisor for the National Fibromyalgia Association, has joined Pacific Rheumatology Associates in Seattle.

Dr. Wood is available for consultation for fibromyalgia, Chronic Widespread Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome and will see patients full time. He will also be involved in research with Dr. Holman.
PACIFIC RHEUMATOLOGY RESEARCH, Inc. is a research group specializing in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. We also have a special interest in Fibromyalgia. Andrew J. Holman, MD, continues to study both inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia. New treatment options exist for each of these common and disabling conditions. Although there are no cures yet, we are dedicated to discovering the most effective therapies for fibromyalgia and inflammatory arthritis.

The office is generally open fom 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, but will be closed on the following dates:

All national holidays
This website is designed for patients and families interested in rheumatology research. Essentially, rheumatologists are immunologists trying to reverse autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), etc. Some rheumatologists also study and treat fibromyalgia (FM) The most common types of arthritis are degenerative osteoarthritis and mechanical back pain usually addressed by other specialists such as orthopedists, physiatrists, chiropractors, osteopaths and neurosurgeons.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects 2-3 million Americans and is the most common form of connective tissue disease. It causes inflammation of synovial tissue lining the joints. This inflammation can be so severe that it damages the cartilage, bone and connective tissue. Occasionally RA can affect the skin, muscles and internal organs. Thankfully, new advances in treatment have occurred over the last five years, and exciting research continues.
Fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, it can be just as disabling. It is associated with widespread or generalized muscle pain and profound fatigue for 6-10 million Americans. Diagnosis is by a history of pain located in all four quadrants of the body for at least 3 months and the presence of at least 11 of 18 "tender points". Fibromyalgia is strongly associated with stage 4 sleep deprivation caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Fibromyalgia can co-exist with any disorder painful enough to disturb sleep quality, including positional cervical myelopathy. Other illnesses such as thyroid disorders, cancer and neurological diseases can mimic Fibromyalgia. A thorough evaluation to determine the cause of pain is essential before your caregiver can begin to treat it effectively.