Inflammatory!

Mel Brooke joins Debbie and Katy to share her decades‑long journey with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and later fibromyalgia and how lived experience led her into clinical research and ultimately to co‑founding PRP-NeTT , the UK Rheumatology Patient Research Partner Network and think tank. She discusses fatigue in all its forms, lifestyle experimentation, the complexity of comorbidities, and why...

Jamie Boder joins Debbie and Katy for a powerful, honest conversation about being diagnosed with Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) at 18, navigating Crohn’s disease, and learning to care for his whole self through movement, yoga, and mind–body practices. Jamie shares the emotional impact of diagnosis, the challenges of early adulthood with chronic illness, and the tools that helped him reclaim agenc...

This week’s episode brings back a long‑overdue Q&A, complete with a side of chaos. Between sick kids, COVID flashbacks, swollen joints, medication hangovers and the emotional weight of parenting with IA, we still show up with the Inflammatory! honesty and humour you expect. Topics covered: Parenting while managing IA; the guilt, the logistics, the emotional load COVID memories, shielding, and...

In this warm, funny, and deeply relatable episode, Debbie and Katy dive into the messy reality of living with inflammatory arthritis; from chaotic travel days and brain fog to shooting elbow pain, perimenopause confusion, and the blurred lines between inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia. They explore new research finally proving what patients have said for years: weather really does affect pai...

In this lively catch‑up episode, Debbie and Katy reflect on a chaotic two weeks filled with heatwaves, family events, joint flares, and a whirlwind visit to the EULAR Congress in London. From coping with extreme weather to navigating grief, pacing, and swollen joints, the conversation moves into deeper reflections on patient involvement in research, global collaboration, and the importance of hone...

Debbie and Katy sit down after a whirlwind few weeks, including their first ever live podcast event, a national conference, and even a little “pod‑adultery” (appearing on someone else’s podcast). They reflect on the nerves, the joy, and the powerful audience reactions during the live show, where themes like shame, disclosure, grief after diagnosis, and identity came through strongly. The pair also...

Awareness days come and go, but life with inflammatory arthritis shows up every single day, especially when your hospital appointments disappear into the system. In this episode, Debbie and Katy talk candidly about the reality of being “lost in the system”, from missed biologic reviews and last‑minute phone calls to the emotional and practical fallout when admin goes wrong. Alongside the realities...

In this insightful conversation, Debbie and Katy sit down with Dr Rosemary Hollick, a rheumatologist, researcher, and champion of patient‑centred care, to explore the realities of psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and the evolving landscape of treatment. Rosemary explains how symptoms present, why diagnosis can be so challenging (especially for women), and how biologics have transforme...

Debbie and Katy return exhausted but energised after three intense days at the British Society for Rheumatology Conference in Glasgow,marking Inflammatory Arthritis UK’s first-ever national conference appearance. In this episode, they unpack what it meant to show up as a young charity, the powerful conversations they had with clinicians, researchers, and other charities, and the surprising innovat...

In typical Inflammatory! style, Debbie and Katy somehow make even the dullest topic, NHS admin, funny, relatable, and full of those “only happens to us” moments. This episode dives into the hidden admin burden patients face when navigating NHS care - from missing paperwork and broken digital systems to long waits, confusing referrals, and the emotional toll of chasing appointments. They share hone...

Summary Inflammatory arthritis doesn’t just affect the person living with it, it reshapes the daily lives, emotions, plans, and futures of the people who love them. In this heartfelt episode, Debbie and Katy explore the hidden impact on partners, children, siblings, and wider family members. Drawing on powerful listener submissions, they discuss the emotional load, the financial strain, the invisi...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Debbie andKaty sit down with Andy Kelly - physiotherapist, patient advocate, EULAR representative, and trustee of Inflammatory Arthritis UK to explore what it really means to live with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Andy shares his journey from first symptoms at university,through years of misdiagnosis, to navigating the emotional and physical re...

This week, Debbie and Katy sit down with the brilliant and endlessly determined Charlie Robards , who was diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis at just 18 - right as he was chasing his dream of becoming a professional sportsman. Now 50, Charlie reflects on three decades of navigating pain, ambition, parenting, relationships, and the emotional weight of a lifelong condition. What unfolds is an hon...

In this special 50th episode, Debbie and Katy celebrate how far the podcast has come while shining a light on an often‑missed reality: children and young people do live with rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. Recorded on World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day, the episode blends lived experience with practical insight, from delayed diagnoses and complex referral pathways to the hidden admin burden f...

In this insightful interview, Dr. Keith Grimes, a former GP and digital health innovator, explores the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. From data sharing and patient access to AI-driven diagnostics and drug discovery, discover how AI can revolutionize patient care while emphasizing safety and privacy.  Key Words: AI in healthcare, digital health, patient data, medical innovation, AI d...

Why do so many people with inflammatory arthritis say “I’m fine” when they’re not? In this episode, Debbie and Katy reflect on masking pain, stress-triggered flares, and the emotional impact of diagnosis. They discuss how overwhelming early treatment decisions can be, why people diagnosed young often feel embarrassed talking about it, and how hearing others’ perspectives can reveal what friends an...

In this powerful episode of Inflammatory!, Debbie and Katy are joined by Hansa, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at just 19 years old while at university. Hansa shares her journey of navigating diagnosis alone,hiding her condition at work, managing pregnancy and motherhood with inflammatory arthritis, and finally finding relief through biologic treatment. An honest and relatable convers...

In this episode of Inflammatory! , Debbie and Katy are joined by Katy’s close friend Cat for an honest and heartfelt conversation about love, friendship, and living with chronic illness. Together, they reflect on the evolution of their friendship, the realities of navigating inflammatory arthritis, how it felt to see your closest friend physically struggle, and the power of communication, humour,...

Keywords chronic illness, inflammatory arthritis, support networks,medication management, health transparency, empathy, friendship, diagnosis,patient experience, healthcare Summary In this episode of Inflammatory! the hosts reflect on how stress, relationships, and chronic illness shape everyday life. Including the realities of moving house while managing refrigerated medication, highlighting the...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Inflammatory ! Debbie and Katy are joined by Haffy, a clinical pharmacist, university lecturer, and mum of two, who shares her journey of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and undifferentiated mixed connective tissue disease in her late 20s. Despite her medical background, Haffy’s diagnosis was delayed, highlighting the challenges of being a...

Keywords: inflammatory arthritis, AI in healthcare, personalized medicine, early diagnosis, chronic illness, patient care, healthcare technology, living with arthritis, health podcast, medical advancementsIn this episode of Inflammatory! , Debbie and Katy dive into the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and what it could mean for people living with inflammatory arthritis. T...

Keywords: chronic illness, spoon theory, energy management, school absences, NHS online hospitals, parenting, inflammatory arthritis, healthcare, pets, community support In this episode, Debbie and Katy discuss the challenges faced by parents of children with chronic illnesses, particularly in relation to school absences and the perception of illness by educational institutions. They delve into th...

Keywords: New Year, holiday experiences, illness impact, darts, self-care, resolutions, FOMO, JOMO, inflammatory arthritis, charity goals #MyPaceNotYours, Empowering patientsIn this episode, Debbie and Katy reflect on their holiday experiences, discuss the impact of illness on celebrations, and share their newfound interest in darts. They celebrate the one-year anniversary of their podcast, emphas...

This week’s podcast episode didn't go entirely to plan so we decided to have a shorter relaxed end-of-year chat with quite a few laughs and festive outfits (you can watch the episode on YouTube!).  Make sure you listen right to the end of the episode to hear our bloopers and outtakes, they’re too good (and too embarrassing) not to share. What we discuss: How exhausting this time of year can be...

Keywords:  Darts, Fitness, Running, Mental Health, Community, Podcast, Christmas, Health Challenges, Strength Training, Autoimmune Disease Debbie and Katy wrap up the year with a warm, funny, and reflective catch-up. Katy shares her unexpected victory at a work darts tournament and recaps her chilly final 10K of the year, complete with a painful lesson in running gear. Debbie talks about flare-ups...