Welcome to episode 47 of Mogil’s Mobcast. Today’s guest is Dr. Tracy Frech. Dr. Frech is a rheumatologist. Her primary research and clinical care goals are to increase early diagnosis and improve health care delivery to the systemic sclerosis (SSc) patient population. Today we talk about the digestive tract in which 95% of systemic scleroderma patients have issues with. We discuss all the gastrointestinal manifestations that happen with systemic scleroderma patients. This includes dry mouth, GERD, Gastroparesis, Fecal Incontinence/Diarrhea, signs for each, how to diagnose and treat each of the  manifestations. 

In today's episode I talk with Dr. Aly Cohen, Rheumatologist, Integrative Medical Specialist and Environmental Health Expert about the brain gut connection. One of my favorite topics.   This episode was recorded last October for the National Scleroderma Foundation Minnesota Chapter Health conference. Dr. Cohen was guest, episode #7. To learn more about her please listen to episode #7. Her book Book: Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World (Dr Weil's Healthy Living Guides). Is a fantastic resource.

Today’s guest is another fabulous Scleroderma warrior, Tameka Nelson. As I interview more and more Scleroderma warriors, I find it intriguing how differently the same disease affects us. For Tameka, the disease attacked her lungs. Let’s learn about her journey!

Her clothing store on Instagram is: polish_me_boutiques
Her podcast is Apple Podcast at: it could be worse podcast

 Dr. Virginia D. Steen is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of  Rheumatology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. Today, our topic is the lungs. An issue that affects many Scleroderma warriors. We discuss in detail pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. By the time we are done talking, you will be well better informed on this topic!

Today I talk with Patricia Fennell. Patricia is the CEO of Albany Health Management Associates Inc:.  She is an advanced clinical social worker. She is also a scientist and author specializing in chronic illness, trauma, forensics, and hospice care. We talk about her chronic illness, the interesting occupations she has had, and finally we discuss the Fennell Four Phase Treatment (FFPT™) approach.
To contact Albany Health Management Associates Inc: https://albanyhealthmanagement.com/

Today we hear the journey of another scleroderma warrior, Kimberly Gonzalez. Kim had her first symptom at the age of 8 and was finally diagnosed at the age of 12. Through all of her journey Kim has kept a positive attitude and is grateful for every day. Meet Kim and hear her story. 

In today's episode I talk with Nancy O'Brien and Deanna Hokanson about the The Happiness Practice ™(THP).  Nancy is the co-creator of the Happiness Practice and Deanna is a facilitator for the program. In this episode we learn the 5 principles of the Happiness Practice. Deanna also gives examples of how she has applied those 5 principles in her own life . 
To learn more about the practice contact Deanna at [email protected]

In this episode I talk with Susan Murphy, professor and Mary Alore,  Peer Mentor and RENEW Health Coach. Both are part of the amazing University of Michigan Scleroderma Program. We discuss different programs being implemented at the university. Those include the mentor program, the Backers, and some of the research the university is doing. Finally, we discuss the RENEW program and their registry program.  It is all so exciting information. 

Today I talk with Dr. Michael Hughes, he is a consultant rheumatologist at Salford Royal Hospital, which is a national UK referral center for SSc, and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester. He has emerged as a leading national and international investigator in SSc and Raynaud’s phenomenon, with a focus on novel clinical assessment of vascular biology and function, including the development of new novel approaches to treatment. His doctoral PhD research fellowship (2013-2016) at The University of Manchester investigated the outcome measures of treatment efficacy, pathophysiology, and local treatments for SSc-digital ulcers. Dr.Hughes has a strong research interest in non-invasive imaging and the development of patient reported outcome measures, and works closely with patient-led organizations. He was awarded the Edith Busch Young Investigator Award in recognition of his significant contributions during the World Scleroderma Congress in 2022. Under the auspices of the World Scleroderma Foundation he leads the Digital Ulcer Working Group, and co-leads the Gastrointestinal disease Working Group. Dr. Hughes has published extensively in both clinical and basic research and has contributed to the development of SSc treatment guidelines and recommendations. He contributes to many international initiatives and collaborations including as a Fellow of the OMERACT Scleroderma Vascular Disease Working Group. He has presented and chaired (including invited oral presentations) at prestigious national and international conferences and is on the editorial board of several international rheumatology journals. Furthermore, he has published several studies in high-impact journals as lead author utilizing data from the EUSTAR cohort. Our topic today is 3 things that affect me. Raynauds, calcinosis, and digital ulcers. Lots of great information and helpful hints!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Saketkoo, she is director and founder of New Orleans Scleroderma and Sarcoidosis Patient Care and Research Center. She is a clinical researcher recognized for her work in clinical trial design, in identifying patients' priorities in life-threatening autoimmune illness including pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis, and developing research tools with patients including targeting self-management strategies with yoga, dance and singing for lung health rehabilitation as well as mindfulness practices. She is currently co-director/co-founder of UMC Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center and Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic Programs with Louisiana State University and Tulane University Schools of Medicine. In 2018, she was honored with Doctor of the Year from the Scleroderma Foundation.
Our focus today is on the importance of exercise. Dr. Saketkoo goes into scientific detail on how exercise helps our body.