Arthritis Life

Cheryl and Eileen’s personal stress management toolboxes include: formal  therapy, delegating tasks, prioritizing self care, snuggling with their pets, acceptance, mindfulness, addressing past traumas, advocacy and more.

This conversation originally took place as an Instagram Live discussion in March 2022.

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! 

Go to www.MyArthritisLife.Net

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Camille and Gittel share how lost and overwhelmed they felt trying to manage rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis on their own. They describe how  Rheum to THRIVE helped them not only on a practical level but also emotionally, and share their best tips for managing flare-ups.

This conversation originally took place as an Instagram Live discussion in September 2021.

• Camille’s journey getting diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (Camille is at https://www.instagram.com/camilledemere/  on Instagram)
• Gittel’s journey with ankylosing spondylitis: diagnosed in 2018 after a lifetime of chronic pain (Gittel is at https://www.instagram.com/gittel_gt/ on Instagram)
• How Gittel and Camille felt overwhelmed, confused and alone while trying to manage their conditions on their own. Gittel finds an online support group but it wasn’t a good fit for her.
• Gittel & Camille join Cheryl’s Rheum to THRIVE educational support group program
• Camille reflects on how the group has helped her process challenges around the pandemic and uncertainty
• Gittel shares her experience overcoming shame around using mobility aids and helps others confront internalized ableism
• Camille loses her health insurance and is forced to go to “Dr Google” for answers, which was terrifying
• Camille joins Rheum to THRIVE and transforms to feeling confident and supported
• Gittel shares how terrified she was about using “Dr. Google” to learn about ankylosing spondylitis and how the organization of Rheum to THRIVE helped her feel less overwhelmed
• Cheryl, Gittel and Camille share tips for flare ups: rest breaks, hot showers, breath work, alternative pain relief such as cannabis, mental work such as anchor breathing and mindfulness exercises
• Cheryl, Gittel & Camille share their Covid19 vaccine experiences

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, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. Join the next group today! 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap

A self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.

See more details and a full transcript at www.MyArthritisLife.Net

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Erin & Heather share their diagnosis journeys for rheumatoid arthritis, and how Cheryl’s “Rheum to THRIVE” program helped them become more empowered and supported. 

This conversation originally took place as an Instagram Live discussion in September 2021.

• Erin shares her diagnosis story: originally ankylosing spondylitis, then changed to rheumatoid arthritis
• Heather shares how she felt “desperate to find answers” after her rheumatoid arthritis worsened
• Erin and Heather share how they became more empowered through joining the Rheum to THRIVE program
• Heather shares how important it was for her to have access to a consistent set of resources and how she benefited from learning skills to “be the CEO of her care team!”
• Erin shares what it meant to her to have a supportive community
• Erin reflects on how she previously did not ask for work accommodations due to shame and guilt, before she became empowered and understood the power of counteracting your own internalized ableism
• Heather reflects on how she used to “fake it til you make it” or “power through,” then she gained the courage to talk to her boss about her needs for accommodations at work
• Erin and Cheryl reflect on how their experiences with Facebook “support groups” is different than  Rheum to THRIVE
• Amy shares what she got out of Rheum to THRIVE
• Cheryl answers some FAQs about the program

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, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. Registration is open now through March 31st, 2022 - it’s only open twice a year so join now if you’re interested!

Go to www.MyArthritisLife.Net for full details including a full transcript.

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• Catina’s Diagnosis journey/saga for endometriosis, RA, fibromyalgia: was initially told it was “growing pains,” not believed for years
• How Catina managed to push through pain and work as a nurse
• Catina’s experiences as a black woman managing multiple chronic conditions
• How Catina’s experiences inspired her to form the Nurse Loves Essentials company, community and coaching services
• Catina’s mindset tips for coping with chronic pain and chronic illness

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, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. Registration is open now through March 31st, 2022 - it’s only open twice a year so join now if you’re interested! 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.

##For full episode details including a transcript:

Please go to Cheryl's website at www.MyArthritisLife.Net

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Amy shares what she’s learned while managing a fast paced, mentally taxing career as a lawyer while living with rheumatoid arthritis. Amy & Cheryl share their experiences in peer support groups, and explore how they've both learned how to challenge their internalized ableism and overcome shame through connecting with others in Cheryl's Rheum to THRIVE support group. 

• Amy’s diagnosis journey during the Covid19 pandemic- after severe fatigue, brain fog and pain, Amy gets preliminary diagnosed with RA by her primary care doctor but faces a long waiting time to see a Rheumatologist. She also experiences other challenges getting healthcare due to the Covid19 pandemic.
• Reflections on balancing a demanding career as a lawyer with RA, including a discussion about how and whether to disclose your disability in the workplace
• The importance of support: Amy discovers she doesn’t have to go through this alone after connecting with others on social media and joining Cheryl’s Rheum to THRIVE support group
• Shame, mobility aids and challenging internalized ableism: Amy shares how she’s gone from hiding her disability to having a pretty cane she can show off, but continues to face some challenges using mobility aids such as wheelchairs.

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, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. The next group starts on April 2nd and registration closes on March 31st - sign up today!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Go to www.MyArthritisLife.Net

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

Erika Bustos and Rachel Albo share how their individual journeys with managing rheumatoid arthritis and holistic health coaching led them to connect on social media. They then transformed their virtual relationship to a “real life” friendship and business partnership in their podcast “Autoimmune & You."  

• Rachel and Erika’s diagnosis stories for rheumatoid arthritis in their 20s
• Erika pivots from studying marriage and family therapy to becoming a holistic health coach after her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and Rachel pivots from traditional occupational therapy to health and wellness coaching as well
• Erika and Rachel both delve into holistic lifestyle changes that help them manage rheumatoid arthritis but also caution others not to fall into some of the common traps in holistic communities, for example “one size fits all” approaches
• How Rachel and Erika found each other on social media and grew from acquaintances to true friends before ever even meeting in person
• How Rachel & Erika combined their personal and professional passions (as autoimmune coaches) into their joint podcast, “Autoimmune & You”
• Rachel & Erika briefly discuss their experiences contacting Covid-19 and how that’s affected their rheumatoid arthritis
• Rachel, Erika and Cheryl’s tips for navigating social media interactions and friendships - how to get what you need out of it without experiencing the downsides.

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! 

Go 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.

 Paulina, Ananthi and Jo update the audience about their methotrexate journeys for rheumatoid arthritis, including having to titrate the dosage up or down due to liver enzyme numbers, decisions about whether to add a biologic medication in addition to methotrexate, and reflections on the emotional ups and downs of living with a chronic, unpredictable illness during a pandemic.

This episode is a follow up to episode 45 (which was originally recorded in July 2020), where eight patients shared their experiences taking methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Today’s episode was recorded in the fall of 2021.

• Paulina provides an update to her methotrexate journey and what has helped her cope with the ups and downs of rheumatoid arthritis
• Ananthi shares how she initially tolerated methotrexate but her liver enzymes went up so she had to fiddle around with the dosage a bit to get to a just right amount
• Reflections on the need to stay on top of tracking our bloodwork and take charge of our care
• Jo explains how she felt she wasn’t able to control her disease well with methotrexate alone but her doctor did not think she qualified yet for biologics, which was a very sad and frustrating experience
• Everyone reflects on how the pandemic continues to affect their ability to make appointments and see their doctors
• We reflect on the limitations of standardized assessments for rheumatoid arthritis
• Everyone gives a piece of wisdom for listeners

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! 

For full episode details including a complete transcript, please go 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.

Dr. Victoria Sampson explains how oral health, the oral microbiome and rheumatoid arthritis inflammation are all interrelated. She provides ample details about why people with rheumatoid arthritis should take extra care with their oral health, and explains how altering the oral microbiome can potentially lead to improvements in RA disease activity. See full episode notes including a detailed transcript here.

• How rheumatoid arthritis can lead to gum damage and why flossing is so important
• Specific action steps people with RA can take to improve their dental health and oral microbiome
• Cheryl and Dr. Sampson’s tips and life hacks for flossing, brushing and other oral health care when you have hand pain
• What it means to be a holistic dentist or integrative dentist
• What is the oral microbiome and why should people with rheumatoid arthritis care?
• A case study of a patient with severe RA who had dramatically positive response to changing her gut and oral microbiome, as well as overall RA disease activity, through diet and oral hygiene habits.

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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheum to THRIVE, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. The next group starts in April 2022!

Go this episode's page at 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.

After living with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterized by at times unpredictable flare-ups and remissions) for nineteen years, host Cheryl Crow is no stranger to uncertainty.

However, the pandemic has brought a whole new level of uncertainty to the lives of those who are vulnerable, including Cheryl.

In this discussion, mental health occupational therapist Carlyn Neek and Cheryl focus discuss ways that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy tools can help people cope with uncertainty and continue moving towards a full and meaningful life despite so many things being out of their control.

Cheryl & Carlyn also delve into specific ways that being immunocompromised and vulnerable to other’s actions has emotionally affected people, and ways to cope with difficult emotions like anger, jealousy and anxiety.\

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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheum to THRIVE, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. The next group starts in Spring 2022!

Full episode notes including links to things discussed in this episode and a full transcription can be found on 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.

What happens when the person who loves everything suddenly likes nothing? Arthritis Life founder and Arthritis Life host Cheryl Crow shares her rocky transition to motherhood while managing a rheumatoid arthritis flare up.

She also opens up about her experience with symptoms of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, and highlights the importance of therapy in helping her get back to her “usual self.”

Please note: this interview initially took place in 2020 on the “What about the Mama?” podcast, hosted by occupational therapist Karena Skibinsky, on episode 11: “What about being a mama with a chronic illness?"

• Why Cheryl founded Arthritis Life after working as an occupational therapist in pediatrics, and the value of “edutainment” (entertaining educational content)!
• Brief overview of Cheryl’s pregnancy remission and postpartum flare up of rheumatoid arthritis
• Cheryl describes the irritability and mental exhaustion she experienced postpartum with decision fatigue around her medical needs and her baby’s needs
• How Cheryl’s postpartum mood changes affected her social relationships
• The exact moment Cheryl realized she needed to go to therapy
• How “leaning in” to work was helpful in some ways and unhelpful in others
• The dangers of a “breast is best” mentality and how Cheryl learned to embrace formula and a “Fed is Best” perspective
• How being stubborn and optimistic is both the best and worst thing for Cheryl and her husband
• Cheryl’s advice to other prospective mothers living with chronic illnesses
• How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helped Cheryl cope with her health and motherhood adjustment challenges

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheum to THRIVE, a community support & education program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. The next group starts in Spring 2022!

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.

https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/2022/01/21/the-storm-after-the-calm-cheryls-journey-with-postpartum-anxiety-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/

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