Arthritis Life

Alex shares how humor, honest storytelling, and finding small moments of joy have helped her cope with serious health challenges.  They also discuss navigating marriage when one partner has a chronic illness, Alex's  pregnancy journey, challenging ableism and misconceptions about invisible illnesses, and redefining productivity to include rest.  Throughout this heartfelt and often h...

They explore why there’s no single “perfect” diet for rheumatoid arthritis, what “plant-forward” eating really means, and why lifestyle changes should complement, rather than replace, appropriate medical treatment.  Dr. Bhanusali also breaks down common concerns about gluten, dairy, nightshades, beans, and supplements, while emphasizing that individual responses to food can vary widely. Most...

Lauren shares practical insights on adapting meaningful activities (including caring for and training dogs!), conserving energy, finding realistic hope, and building a life around what matters to you. Plus, Lauren shares why she’s excited to bring this perspective to her newest role as a Rheum to THRIVE certified facilitator. Episode at a glance: How occupational therapy shaped Lauren’s approach t...

Cheryl, Marisa, Alice, Gittel, Meg and Annette reflect on the profound impact of community, the invaluable educational components of the Rheum to THRIVE program, and the collective wisdom that has helped them cope and thrive.  The conversation highlights the importance of vulnerability, shared humor, and the supportive environment of the Rheum to THRIVE group, which empowers members to naviga...

In this encore episode, Dr. Liew  shares her personal journey to becoming a rheumatologist inspired by a friend's diagnosis. She then discusses the condition in detail, addressing common misconceptions such as it being exclusive to white men and always showing up on imaging.  Listeners will gain invaluable insights into the challenges of diagnosing this condition, social determinants aff...

Along the way, they talk about the comfort of pets, the importance of finding friends who truly understand, why kids with invisible illnesses deserve to be believed, and the hope they've found through the Arthritis Foundation community. Whether you're raising a child with JIA, living with arthritis yourself, or simply want to better understand what these young patients experience, this conversatio...

Drawing from their own lived experiences, they discuss everything from when to disclose a diagnosis while dating to navigating rejection, communicating with partners, managing physical intimacy, and recognizing relationship red flags. They also share practical advice for building healthy partnerships rooted in honesty, empathy, and mutual support. Along the way, Cheryl and Eileen examine what rese...

In this updated introduction, I share how my response to this question has changed, the importance of exploring internalized ableism, and why I think a better question is: Can I build a joyful, meaningful life with rheumatoid arthritis along for the ride? After these reflections, you'll hear the original 2021 episode and see what has changed, and what has stayed the same in my thinking over the ye...

Dr. Hazelwood emphasizes the importance of balancing risks and benefits and provides insights into how modern treatments can significantly improve quality of life. The episode emphasizes the safety and necessity of these medications and highlights the benefits of starting treatment early to prevent long-term complications.  This episode is particularly valuable for anyone newly diagnosed with rheu...

In this empowering conversation, Cheryl  and Dr. Kara Wada explore what it means to take charge of your health with conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). Dr Kara shares how her experience as a patient with Sjogren’s taught her things she never learned as a allergist-immunologist doctor. They discuss practical strategies for rebuilding trust in your body, the...

They also explore exciting new therapies like CAR T-cell treatment, along with practical advice on self-advocacy, building the right healthcare team, and what it truly means to thrive while living with a rheumatic disease. Episode at a glance: Why Dr. Singh became a rheumatologist after watching her grandmother struggle with osteoarthritis What current research shows about biologics and cancer ris...

They explain how occupational therapists, physical therapists, mental health professionals, pharmacists, and others can help you manage fatigue, pain, anxiety, daily routines, and life after diagnosis, while also sharing practical tips for advocating for referrals and support.  Episode at a glance: Why autoimmune arthritis care involves more than a rheumatologist and medications The surprising evi...

Cheryl and Mariah discuss everything from medication decisions during pregnancy to adapting family life, traveling with chronic illness, managing expectations, and finding “micro moments” of joy along the way.  If you’ve ever worried that chronic illness might prevent you from building the life or family you want, this episode offers compassionate, practical encouragement that you do not have to g...

She shares her complex diagnostic journey across multiple autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, highlighting the uncertainty and overlap many patients experience. Cheryl and Lorraine discuss shifting from a “cure” mindset to one focused on management, the role of community (including Rheum to THRIVE), and how writing can be a powerful tool for processing and meaning-making. Together, they explor...

Eileen and Gittel talk about why they’re passionate about leading support spaces, what those groups are really like (spoiler: welcoming, not intimidating), and how connection can make a huge difference. You’ll also hear gentle, practical advice for those early days like pacing yourself, adapting as you go, and redefining what it means to thrive. It’s a comforting reminder that even with chronic il...

The conversation also dives into the emotional side of chronic illness, including fear of movement, the importance of interoception (body awareness), and how to avoid the boom–bust cycle of overdoing it. Cheryl and Jamie reflect on the shift from a “warrior” mindset to one rooted in acceptance, adaptability, and long-term self-care. Ultimately, this episode offers a hopeful, realistic perspective:...

Together, we walk through how to find reputable research, what “peer-reviewed” really means, and why one exciting study doesn’t equal a proven treatment. Dr. Li also explains key concepts like plain language summaries, the hierarchy of evidence, and how to spot common traps like cherry-picking data or misleading headlines. Our goal on this episode is to give you some practical tools so you can fee...

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 t...

Cristina and Cheryl also discuss Cristina’s new GLOW framework: Grow gut diversity, Lower inflammation, Optimize energy, and Work with your body compassionately. The conversation also covers gut health, the risks of overly restrictive diets, mindful eating, and how to aim for progress over perfection, even on flare days. Episode at a glance: 02:02 Diagnosis and Acceptance 05:25 Medications Plus Li...

Yasmin also shares what it was like to navigate multiple major health crises at once, including serious GI symptoms and an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis, and how it all impacted her mental health and anxiety. Together, Cheryl and Yasmin explore the tools that helped her cope and rebuild: therapy (CBT/talking therapy), journaling, poetry, mindfulness, support groups, pacing, and learning to ad...

Cheryl and Chrissy also do a deep dive into the Rheum to THRIVE program and discuss their excitement over Chrissy taking on a new role as the lead facilitator of an upcoming cohort.  Chrissy’s facilitation style is flexible and responsive, letting the group’s needs guide the conversation while keeping it grounded in the weekly theme. If you want a supportive, stigma-free space that helps you feel...

They also discuss safe, realistic strategies that support joint health, including tailored exercise and strength training, plus the emerging evidence on GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide/Ozempic/Wegovy) for people with obesity and arthritis. The key message: obesity is a treatable chronic condition, and care should be compassionate, individualized, and evidence-based. *Content note/ trigger warn...

Dr. Birnbaum also addresses common early fears, including confusion about autoimmune disease and anxiety around immunosuppressive medications, reframing treatment as dialing down an overactive immune response rather than taking away your immune system.  Throughout the episode, he encourages self-advocacy, realistic hope, and partnership with your care team, and shares insights from his book “Livin...

Listeners will learn how to reframe movement as something personal, enjoyable, and adaptable, because sustainable behavior change comes from doing what fits your life, not from chasing perfect routines. The biggest benefits come from starting small, not from hitting rigid guidelines like 10,000 steps or 150 minutes per week.     Episode at a glance: Why movement matters (and what counts): How phys...

Tori also highlights the vital role of creative expression, through painting and poetry, in coping with chronic illness and reclaiming parts of her life. Listeners will be inspired by her powerful poems, descriptions of her artistic adaptations, and advice for living a meaningful, purpose-driven life despite chronic health challenges. This episode is particularly resonant for those recently diagno...