Arthritis Life

Rosemary also shares her experience with a mystery skin rash that ended up being a rare psoriatic arthritis medication side effect: leukocytoclastic vasculitis triggered by drug-induced lupus, and an eventual diagnosis of Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis. Throughout the episode, Rosemary and Cheryl discuss the importance of coping skills for difficult medical experiences. They also emphasize the importance of finding the right medications, lifestyle strategies, and the role of psychosocial support. Uncertainty and setbacks can be overwhelming, but self-compassion, support systems, acceptance, and perseverance can help you pursue a fulfilling life despite health challenges.Episode at a glance:Chronic Illness Journey: The interview delves into Emily's journey of living with chronic illnesses, from psoriatic arthritis, to developing drug-induced lupus which triggered leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and eventually being diagnosed with Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis (PNGD).Medication Management: Rosemary shares her experiences with various medications, including Enbrel, Humira, and Plaquenil, discussing their effectiveness in managing her symptoms and the decision-making process involved in discontinuing certain medications. They discuss the importance in recognizing adverse effects, while balancing this understanding with the benefits that medications do provide.Lifestyle strategies: Rosemary emphasizes the importance of physical activity and wellness in her life, despite her health challenges.Emotional Resilience: Navigating the emotional highs and lows with chronic illness can be overwhelming, from the initial relief of finding treatments to the grief and uncertainty of adjusting plans. Cheryl and Rosemary discuss self-advocacy, and pursuing fulfilling lives despite obstacles .Adapting to Change: Rosemary and Cheryl discuss how to adapt to change, both in terms of treatment plans and mindset towards living with chronic illness, including exploring alternative treatments and embracing new perspectives.Support: Rosemary reflects on the role of support from healthcare providers, online support groups, and in personal relationships - underscoring the importance of having a strong network when facing chronic illness.Advice to Newly Diagnosed Patients: “You don't have control of the fact that that happened to you, and you didn't do anything wrong. All you can do now is choose how to react to it. Do the next right thing. Little by little by little, it'll start coming together. And you're going to be okay.”Medical disclaimer: All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! For full episode details including a transcriptGo to the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website (transcript coming soon!). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Kimberly Steinbarger, a physical therapist, discusses pain science education, building support networks, and adapting to new activities with Cheryl. They share exercise tips, explore pain perception complexities, and highlight lifestyle interventions for rheumatic disease management. The conversation emphasizes personalized solutions, effective management strategies, and patient involvement in treatment guidelines for RA.

In episode 116 of the Arthritis Life Podcast, Lauren Huffman shares her journey with Ankylosing Spondylitis, and how her passion for occupational therapy and dogs has brought her meaning even through challenges.She and Cheryl give insight into the “behind the scenes” of Arthritis Life, and what resources are available. They discuss the importance of support in navigating rheumatic disease, and how the comprehensive approach of Rheum to THRIVE fills gaps in the healthcare system. Episode at a glance:Diagnosis Story: Lauren recounts her journey with ankylosing spondylitis, and how the diagnosis was both a relief and overwhelming. She and Cheryl discuss tools and strategies for managing symptoms, including medication management and communication with healthcare providers.Occupational Therapy: Lauren, OT student and Cheryl, OT talk about what occupational therapy is, and how it’s holistic approach relates to management of rheumatic diseaseArthritis Life: Lauren and Cheryl discuss the “behind the scenes” of Arthritis Life and Rheum to THRIVE,Dogs: Lauren reflects on her background in dog training, and how this passion has brought her joy despite challenges. She shares her experience with dog sports and raising service dogs in training, and how this has given her insight into adapting to make life with a furry friend possible and meaningful.Mental Health and Identity: Sometimes the unpredictability and dynamic nature of chronic illness can rob your enthusiasm, but it’s possible to thrive through acceptance, adaptations, and management strategies. Lauren shares words of wisdom to show up for yourself on good days and bad days, and to take care of yourself in a way that helps you to be resilient.Advice for Newly Diagnosed Patients: Lauren shares her perspective on Rheum to THRIVE, expressing the value of the comprehensive approach, connection to resources, and support from people who “get it”.Medical disclaimer:All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! For full episode details plus a transcriptGo to the show page on the Arthritis Life Website. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Kate shares her journey getting diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis while working as a chef in London. She opens up about her post-diagnosis emotional roller coaster and shares how joining Cheryl’s Rheum to THRIVE online support and education program helped her feel more confident, empowered and supported. She also details other programs that helped her including a mindfulness course and CBT therapy.  The episode ends with Kate sharing what it means to her to live a “good life” with rheumatic disease.This conversation was first recorded and released as episode 79 in 2022. Episode at a glance:Kate’s psoriatic arthritis Diagnosis journey: being unable to hold a fork; MRI of her hands showed erosions and inflammatory arthritisEmotional Aftermath of Kate’s diagnosisFinding community & support: after feeling isolated and not being able to find good answers on her own, Kate joined Rheum to THRIVE and felt more comforted, empowered and supported Two other things that helped kate: Mindfulness course and CBT therapyHow Kate learned to advocate for her needs with her rheumatologistsKate’s favorite life hacks for being a chef with arthritis, including a discussion about what dietary interventions have helped her Medical disclaimer: All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! For full episode show notes including a transcript:Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life website.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode at a glance:For full episode show notes go to the episode page here.Diagnosis story: Julia went from having a very active lifestyle, to becoming waking up with pain, fatigue, fever, and other symptoms. After initially thinking her symptoms were from a virus or pushing herself too hard in dance, she received a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.Creative Pursuits: Julia expresses joy in dancing, theater, and writing - She shares coping strategies such as planning ahead, giving herself permission to rest and take breaks, social support, and finding positivity through her passions. In addition to her published writing, she is currently working on a novel.Resilience and Adaptability: The conversation delves into Julia's experiences as an actress, emphasizing the resilience and the ability to adapt to challenges in artistic pursuits.Self-Awareness: Julia encourages listeners to take some time to know themselves and advocate for their feelings. She shares “don’t be afraid to say no”, and honor what you’re feeling each day.Living in the Moment: Thriving with rheumatic disease includes being mindful of the present moment, honoring oneself, and finding joy despite the challenges.Advice to newly diagnosed patients: Be patient with yourself. Understand how your condition works in your body, and be kind to yourself.Medical disclaimer:All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!For Full Episode Show Notes + TranscriptGo to the episode page here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Cheryl discusses the major themes in Taylor Swift’s music that relate to the chronic illness experience, from the “Haunting” experience of a medication not working anymore to my own “Anti Heroic” immune system to the constant question of “Are We Out of the Woods yet?” when in a flare up.  After weaving in and out her own experience with rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety with listener contributions, Cheryl concludes by exploring the the “State of Grace” we experience when we connect with the chronic illness community. Throughout, she shares how she’s learned to accept what’s out of her control and the empowerment of acknowledging that while my journey might have been rocky, “Long Story Short: I Survived.”  Medical disclaimer: All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! For full episode details including a transcript and video:Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cheryl and Dr. Hosey delve into the importance of accepting the unpredictability of life with chronic illness and redefining what constitutes a "normal" life. This includes a discussion about resilience, mindfulness, and the potential for personal growth in the face of chronic health struggles.Dr. Hosey's shares how she turned her pain into purpose, referencing her upcoming book, 'Girl on a Gurney: Trading my White Coat for a Hospital Gown’. She also provides tangible solutions for medical gaslighting, including medical student education in this phenomenon.** Medical disclaimer:All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode Sponsors** Episode SponsorRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!*For full episode show notes, go to the show page on the Arthritis Life website at: https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/2024/01/05/from-medical-gaslighting-to-a-sjogrens-diagnosis-dr-rebecca-hoseys-story/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover the multifaceted impact of rheumatoid arthritis beyond joint pain. Learn about navigating social challenges and building connections within a chronic illness community. Embrace the uncertainty inherent in autoimmune conditions, and gain insights into the importance of mental health. Tackle the emotional toll of medical gaslighting while advocating for better understanding from healthcare providers. Finally, explore self-management tips to empower your journey, transforming the condition into a learnable challenge with community support.

This is a follow up to episode 45: “What’s it like to be on Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis or Psoriatic Arthritis?”  Paulina, Jenny, Ali, and Ananthi share what’s changed and what has stayed the same with their medications, including whether they’re still on methotrexate. They also  reflect on how they’ve navigated the ups and downs of chronic illness life and share how grief and joy can co-exist. They also highlight the importance of  finding a supportive community with shared experiences. They also discuss their choices around how much to share on social media about their experiences.Paulina, Jenny, Ali, and Ananthi each share wisdom that has guided them along this nonlinear journey; encouraging self-care, advocating, celebrating small victories, and approaching life one day at a time. They conclude with a discussion about how to balance acceptance and adapting with a “fixing” mindset.Medical disclaimer: All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! For full episode details including a transcript and video:Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life website.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Isabelle Amigues, a skilled rheumatologist specializing in rheumatoid arthritis, shares her passion for patient care and the importance of accurate diagnosis. She discusses the complexities of misdiagnosis and how it impacts treatment. The conversation highlights the possibility of remission through personalized care and newer therapies, emphasizing a collaborative approach between doctor and patient. Dr. Amigues encourages living life fully despite challenges and stresses the emotional rewards of managing RA effectively.