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 hilarious conversation, Alex and Cheryl reflect on how living well with chronic illness isn't about pretending everything is okay, but about embracing the full spectrum of life, including the hard moments and the beautiful ones. 

• Alex’s diagnosis journey: From childhood arthritis symptoms to diagnoses of lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, and vasculitis.
• Love, marriage, and chronic illness: How Alex and her husband Cooper navigate caregiving, communication, and maintaining a strong relationship through health challenges.
• Pregnancy with lupus: Alex shares her pregnancy journey, including fertility concerns, preparing for IVF, and how pregnancy has affected her autoimmune symptoms.
• Finding humor and hope: How Alex uses comedy, storytelling, and her Calling in Sick podcast to help others feel seen and less alone.
• Challenging ableism and misconceptions: Why invisible illnesses are so often misunderstood and how sharing authentic patient experiences can help change perceptions.
• Navigating identity, grief, and relationships: How chronic illness affects friendships, boundaries, and self-image, including the differences between growing up sick and being diagnosed as an adult.
• Redefining productivity and embracing rest: Why rest is productive, how to release guilt, and the importance of adapting activities to meet your body's needs.
• Finding joy amid uncertainty: Why living well with chronic illness doesn't mean ignoring the hard days, and how to embrace the possibility that good things can still happen.

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.

Rheum 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!

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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 importantly, she shares a realistic, flexible approach to nutrition that focuses on adding nourishing foods, paying attention to your own body, and letting go of perfection. 

• Why there is no single “best” diet for rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatic diseases
• What research, including the Plants for Joints study, suggests about plant-based nutrition, exercise, and stress management
• Why medications and lifestyle changes are partners, not competitors, in managing inflammatory rheumatic disease
• What “plant-based, plant-predominant, and plant-forward” actually mean, and why eating plant-forward doesn’t necessarily mean going vegan
• Do you really need to eliminate gluten, dairy, nightshades, beans, or other commonly blamed foods?
• How to distinguish a food that simply doesn’t agree with you from assumptions that it is increasing systemic inflammation
• The truth about supplements for arthritis, including why “natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe or effective
• Why nutrition matters even if you don’t notice specific food-related flares, including its role in overall and cardiovascular health
• Nutrition considerations for people taking GLP-1 medications, including protein intake, exercise, and preserving muscle
• How to make nourishing choices on high-pain, high-fatigue days without falling into an all-or-nothing mindset
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All content found on Arthritis Life public channels (including Rheumer Has It) was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Rheum 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

• How occupational therapy shaped Lauren’s approach to life with ankylosing spondylitis
• Ways to make dog care and training more accessible
• Tips for pacing, energy conservation, and joint protection
• Coping with the uncertainty of inflammatory arthritis
• The value of community and evidence-based support
• Advice for people newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis
• What it means to thrive with AS
• Why Lauren became a Rheum to THRIVE facilitator

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.

Rheum 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 navigate their health challenges and advocate for themselves.

This episode first appeared as episode 172 in June 2025. Since then, Cheryl has trained 4 additional Rheum to THRIVE Certified facilitators to continue offering more support to those living with rheumatic disease and inflammatory forms of arthritis. 

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.

Rheum 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 affecting diagnosis, and reliable resources for further information. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the labyrinth of rheumatic diseases, providing hope and knowledge to help you thrive.

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels (including Rheumer Has It) was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Rheum 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 conversation is a powerful reminder that no one has to face arthritis alone. 

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.

Rheum 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!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 research tells us about chronic illness, loneliness, and relationship outcomes, while challenging the myth that arthritis inevitably harms romantic relationships. Instead, they argue that although chronic illness can create real challenges, it can also deepen connection, vulnerability, and resilience with the right partner. Above all, they emphasize that the strongest foundation for any relationship is cultivating self-compassion, self-worth, and a healthy relationship with yourself first.

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels (including Rheumer Has It) was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Rheum 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 years. This is very much informed by the rich discussions I’ve had with people in the Rheum to THRIVE communities and the Arthritis Life community at large, whether on social media, email or in person. I would love to hear your thoughts on this question after listening to the episode! 

2026 updated thoughts:

2021 original audio: 

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.

Rheum 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!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 rheumatoid arthritis who is navigating the complexities and concerns surrounding medication.

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels (including Rheumer Has It) was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl Crow, OT 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 critical role of understanding your core values, and how to find the right support — whether through programs like Rheum to Thrive or events like the Virtual Sjögren’s Summit. 

Together, they show how education, advocacy, and mindset shifts can help patients move from fear to confidence in managing their immune health.

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.

Rheum 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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.