Arthritis Life

Cheryl C. and Cheryl K. share key tools for thriving with arthritis, like finding ways to ask for help, developing health literacy, practicing self-compassion, and getting support. They also discuss the safety of modern medicine and how to balance it with complementary therapies to create an individualized plan for managing rheumatoid arthritis.   Additionally, they delve into the mental health te...

Dr. Wada and Cheryl delve into the connection between Sjogren’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis, discover what’s in Dr. Wada’s disease management toolkit, and share insights into living a full, vibrant life with chronic illness. Dr. Wada and Cheryl also share insights into how mental health can be affected by chronic illness, and reflect on how the “overachiever” lifestyle is not always helpful. They enc...

Episode summary In this episode, occupational therapists Cheryl Crow & Hoang Tran go in depth on how and why the human hand is so complex, and how people with inflammatory arthritis can take good care of their hands to relieve hand pain and improve function. This episode includes an in depth exploration of what it’s like to see a hand therapist, why hand therapy helps people with arthritis, what p...

Clare and Cheryl share tips for how to cope with periods of no diagnosis or changing diagnosis. Clare also provides insights from her unique perspective as someone diagnosed with autism as an adult, soon after her myofascial pain syndrome diagnosis. Cheryl and Clare discuss the importance of perseverance in seeking help, building a personalized treatment plan, and ways to find joy in the midst of...

In this episode, Marisa shares what it was like to be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis around her thirtieth birthday after thinking her wrist pain was only carpel tunnel syndrome. She opens up about her mixed emotions after her diagnosis and shares what helps her cope and thrive, including burlesque dancing, group fitness, the Rheum to THRIVE support group program and more. The episode conclude...

Trigger warning: This episode includes a discussion of near-death experiences, medical trauma and decisions about quality of life versus prolonging of life.  If you are having a mental health crisis or are struggling with suicidal thoughts, in the US you may call “988” for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which is staffed 24 hours a day. In this episode, Hay shares her tumultuous experiences with a...

Yoga therapist and researcher Dr. Steffany Moonaz and host Cheryl Crow discuss the many benefits of yoga for people with inflammatory arthritis. They also bust common myths and misconceptions about yoga, including that it’s just an exercise or series of physical poses.  Dr. Moonaz shares her best tips for patients newly diagnosed with arthritis and explains how the philosophy of yoga can help peop...

After being a fierce athlete and playing Division 1 water polo, Emily was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 22.  She shares lessons learned while working as a night shift nurse for 12 years and having three children.   Emily & Cheryl discuss ways to cope with the ups and downs of chronic illness, especially during times of uncertainty or when it seems the disease is posing “moving targets...

Episode at a Glance: Dianne’s Diagnosis story and subsequent emotional roller coaster Dianna’s Treatment Journey: Dianna went from resistant to medicines to trying a biologic and feeling a large improvement in symptoms The Importance of Support - Dianna shares how the Rheum to THRIVE group support & education program was a “lifeline” and helped her get out of a cycle of self-blame. She highlights...

Episode at a glance: Marion’s Diagnosis Story Marion’s Treatment Journey: changes in medications over 15 years, Working while Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: from struggling in silence to disclosing and getting support How Marion went from feeling guilty and afraid she’d be seen as “lazy” to realizing her condition wasn’t her fault Values: How RA led Marion to “crystallize her values” and redefi...

Nitika and Cheryl discuss how acceptance is an ongoing journey when living with multiple chronic health conditions, and share insights into how they cope with uncertainty. Nitika shares how and why she founded the incredibly impactful Chronicon conference and online community which inspires and uplifts people living with chronic illness around the globe. Nitika and Cheryl also discuss what brings...

In this episode, seasoned patient and registered nurse (RN) Jan Hempstead shares her best tips for managing stress and living a fulfilling life with multiple comorbidities. Jan lives with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobile type (EDS), hereditary alpha-tryptasemia (HAT), Dysautonomia, and more. This includes discussions about the importance of support (including Cheryl’s...

Episode at a Glance: Wendy’s diagnosis story of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a baby Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s with JRA: Wendy shares her ups and downs, from acceptance in grade school to isolation in high school and young adulthood (when she first met someone with her same condition at age 26) Treatments: Reflections on how treatments have changed in the current era as compared to the...

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 cou...

Content Warning - This episode contains profanity and explicit sexual content  Episode at a glance: Liv’s diagnosis story for juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis Highlights and lowlights of growing up with juvenile idiopathic arthritis Liv’s Fitness and self-advocacy Journey: switching jobs to protect her energy and stress levels and finding her own personal training business MovetoLiv When...

Cheryl reflects on a blog post she wrote at age thirty called: “ Ten Years with Rheumatoid Arthritis: What’s the Impact ?” This includes a deep dive into the physical effects of rheumatoid arthritis, effects on my daily routines, as well as finances, social and emotional life, school, career, hobbies, travel and overall life philosophy.   Cheryl shares how pregnancy and parenting changed her disea...

Ali and Cheryl discuss how overwhelming medication changes can be, and Ali describes what it was like to switch doses of methotrexate, switch to a new biologic medication and add prednisone and NDSAIDs in the mix. Ali & Cheryl also discuss what it’s like to have costochondritis and how they cope with unresolved health issues while still trying to live a full, joyful life.  This episode also includ...

Stefanie was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after the birth of her first child. In this episode, she shares how her weight gain and difficulty performing daily tasks led to a negative body image.  Cheryl and Stefanie discuss ways to overcome ableism and shame, and gain a sense of body positivity or at least a “body neutral” stance. They also discuss the importance of self compassion and chall...

In this episode, parents Leeza Broome and Courtney Bruce share why arthritis-specific summer camps have been such a lifeline to their families over the years. As volunteers, they helped start the very first Pacific Northwest family camp for kids with arthritis, “KAT-Fish Camp,” which has historically been put on by the Arthritis Foundation.  Cheryl also shares her experiences volunteering at the c...

Dr. Codd and Cheryl share specific tips for coping with how an inflammatory arthritis condition (like psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis) can lead to difficulties adjusting to one’s new role as a parent, in addition to other important roles. *Celebrating 50,000 downloads of the Arthritis Life Podcast: now through July 15th, enter for a chance to win a Arthritis Fri...

 Dr. Saimun Singla shares her journey first becoming a pediatric rheumatologist (a Pediatrician who further specializes in rheumatology), then becoming diagnosed with adult rheumatoid arthritis after the birth of her second child.   Dr. Singla’s experiences as a patient changed her approach to her patients, and led her to pursue a fellowship in integrative medicine. She shares what’s in her person...

People living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)  and related autoimmune forms of arthritis (such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis) are at greater risk of developing hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).  Emily and Cheryl discuss ways for people living with arthritis and EDS or POTS to manage the day to day of their condition...

Kori and Cheryl discuss ways to approach assessing the risks versus benefits of medications from the "shared decision making" model. They also explore how insurance barriers in the United States can make medication decisions all the more complex. Kori shares her tips for getting prescription medication support, as well as her words of wisdom for diagnosed patients.  The conversation concludes with...

Melissa shares how she learned to be a more effective advocate over time, and provides insights into how she copes with the ups and downs of chronic illness life. Episode at a glance: Melissa’s Diagnosis story for Lupus & Type 1 Diabetes as a nine year old Melissa becomes a mental health occupational therapist while managing her conditions Melissa shares her treatment ups and downs for lupus, incl...

Episode at a glance: How Cristina’s postpartum flare up and difficulty with pain control led her to delve into medical cannabis; helped especially with fibromyalgia.  Cannabis, CBD & THC 101:  How the endocannibinoid system (within our body) helps with homeostasis, memory, pain, mood, inflammation and even skin. The difference between cannabis, help, THC, CBD, endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoid...