Sarc Fighter: Living with Sarcoidosis and other rare diseases

Dr. Courtney Montgomery wants to know what causes sarcoidosis.  She's convinced it's in your genes.  Working in the clinic at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, she sees patients every week, while she studies the potential link between Sarcoidosis and a person's genetic code.  In this episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter Podcast, she goes over the reasons she believes that certain people are more likely than others to develop this rare disease.

Show Notes

More on Dr. Courtney Montgomery:  https://omrf.org/research-faculty/scientists/montgomery-courtney-gray/

More on the FSR/ATS grant to Dr. Mallozzi: https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/fsr-and-ats-announce-dr-mark-mallozzi-as-the-new-partner-grant-awardee/

The Acthar Gel Injector Survey: https://sarcoidosisnews.com/news/acthar-gel-selfject-convenient-easy-use-patient-survey/

Help Royce help you:  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/Team/View/172803/Cycle4Sarc

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

In this episode Royce Robertson joins me to talk about how he's raising money to make it easier for Sarcoidosis patients to travel to and from their appointments.  It can be expensive to travel great distances to the right doctor, as he knows first-hand.  Royce and I are also part of a panel discussion on exercise and sarcoidosis coming up at the FSR Summit on June 28.  I will also share some personal details about a bit of a difficult time I'm experiencing at a personal level.  #sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness 

Show Notes

FSR Summit on June 28, 29 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis-summit/

Help Royce help you:  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/Team/View/172803/Cycle4Sarc

More on brepocitinib: https://sarcoidosisnews.com/news/brepocitinib-phase-2-trial-doses-first-cutaneous-sarcoidosis-patients/

Methotrexate Study: https://sarcoidosisnews.com/news/methotrexate-effective-though-slower-treating-pulmonary-sarcoidosis/

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

If there is one place to meet other sarcoidosis patients and to get your questions answered, from insurance denials to sex after sarc, it's at the 2025 FSR Global Virtual Sarcoidosis Summit.  The Summit is happening on June 28th and 29th.  And the deadline to sign up is June 14.  Joining me on the show today are Elise Hoover, VP for Research at FSR, and Kristen Vargas, who is the Planning Lead for the event.  Together, they will tell you everything you need to know and what to expect at this year's event.

Show Notes

Sign up for the FSR Summit on June 28, 29 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis-summit/

Scholarship for the FSR Summit:  https://apply.stopsarcoidosis.org/submit/c4b02fbd-d5e6-4013-9b11-d3a5957c2c89/2025-global-virtual-sarcoidosis-summit-scholarship-request-interest-form

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

In this Episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter Podcast Dr. Sotonye Imadojemu joins me to talk about sarcoidosis of the skin or cutaneous sarcoidosis.  It's very common, but we don't always talk about it.  sometimes it is it's own problem, and often it represents a hidden issue with sarcoidosis concerning additional organ involvement.  Dr. I is an expert working in Boston at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Show Notes

Sign up for the FSR Annual Summit on June 28, 29 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis-summit/

Scholarship for the FSR Annual Summit:  https://apply.stopsarcoidosis.org/submit/c4b02fbd-d5e6-4013-9b11-d3a5957c2c89/2025-global-virtual-sarcoidosis-summit-scholarship-request-interest-form

More on Dr. Imadojemu: https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/details/13366/sotonye-imadojemu-dermatology-boston-chestnut_hill

Kinderdijk: https://kinderdijk.com/

FSR brings the N95 Mask Game to people fighting the California wildfires: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054169/0/en/Foundation-for-Sarcoidosis-Research-Joins-with-Walgreens-Cedars-Sinai-to-Provide-Foothill-Unity-with-Free-N95-Masks-to-Protect-Residence-Cleaning-Up-from-the-Recent-Los-Angeles-Wil.html

The study reported in Sarcoidosis News:  https://sarcoidosisnews.com/news/28-gene-mutations-associated-sarcoidosis-risk-identified-study/

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

Katie Pantea has multi-organ involvement of sarcoidosis.  But when it struck her nervous system, doctors struggled to diagnose her as she began to lose her memory of daily events.  In this episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter Podcast, Katie talks about how she's been able to fight back and piece together events that initially she could not recall.  It also helped that she is a nurse who lives near a sarcoidosis center that could give her the treatment she needed.

Show Notes

Sign up for the FSR Annual Summit on June 28, 29 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis-summit/

Scholarship for the FSR Annual Summit:  https://apply.stopsarcoidosis.org/submit/c4b02fbd-d5e6-4013-9b11-d3a5957c2c89/2025-global-virtual-sarcoidosis-summit-scholarship-request-interest-form

FSR brings the N95 Mask Game to people fighting the California wildfires: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054169/0/en/Foundation-for-Sarcoidosis-Research-Joins-with-Walgreens-Cedars-Sinai-to-Provide-Foothill-Unity-with-Free-N95-Masks-to-Protect-Residence-Cleaning-Up-from-the-Recent-Los-Angeles-Wil.html

The study reported in Sarcoidosis News:  https://sarcoidosisnews.com/news/28-gene-mutations-associated-sarcoidosis-risk-identified-study/

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

In this Episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter podcast, Dr. Brandon Moss, Director of the Neuro Sarcoidosis Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic, talks about the unique challenges of neuro sarcoidosis.  Dr. Moss also happens to be my doctor.  I've told him he can use my situation as a case study for the sake of this discussion.  So you may hear a lot about my spinal cord.  Hey!  It's all for the greater good.  also in this episode, it's time to give to FSR. You can participate in a study by NORD -- dealing with rare diseases-- and the story of why FSR is involved with the cleanup after the California Wildfires in January.

SHOW NOTES

Participate in the Living Rare Study by NORD www.livingrarestudy.org.

Sign up for the FSR Annual Summit on June 28, 29 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis-summit/

Scholarship for the FSR Annual Summit:  https://apply.stopsarcoidosis.org/submit/c4b02fbd-d5e6-4013-9b11-d3a5957c2c89/2025-global-virtual-sarcoidosis-summit-scholarship-request-interest-form

FSR brings the N95 Mask Game to people fighting the California wildfires: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054169/0/en/Foundation-for-Sarcoidosis-Research-Joins-with-Walgreens-Cedars-Sinai-to-Provide-Foothill-Unity-with-Free-N95-Masks-to-Protect-Residence-Cleaning-Up-from-the-Recent-Los-Angeles-Wil.html

More About Dr. Brandon Moss: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/23790-brandon-moss

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

Sarah Bishop is busier than most people.  She is an ambitious runner, she is a police detective, and she loves the outdoors in New Zealand.  But she started having trouble doing even normal things.  She would get so tired and out of breath that her basic activity was nerly down to nothing.  But nobody could figure out what was wrong with her.  Sound familiar?  It was sarcoidosis.  Sarah heard the Sarc Fighter podcast and reached out saying she wanted to share her story in the hope that it would help other people. 

Show Notes:

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

Bonus Episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter podcast.  In this bonus episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter podcast -- a reminder of the fantastic progress that has been made when it comes to making it possible for people to participate in clinical trials.  Thanks to the tireless work of the team at the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research and the support of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and Boehringer-Ingelheim, it is now much easier to say "Yes" if you want to participate.  Thanks to their work, participation is now covered under FMLA - meaning you can take time off from work to go to the doctor or the clinic without fear of losing your job.  This is a huge win for researchers and all of us in the rare disease community.  Listen also as Sarc fighter Karen Colemen tells us how sarcoidosis has slowed her dancing.

Show notes:

News Release on protection for clinical trial participants: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/16/2982368/0/en/Foundation-for-Sarcoidosis-Research-FSR-receives-confirmation-from-the-Department-of-Labor-DOL-ensuring-patient-access-to-FMLA-for-participation-in-clinical-trials.html

Watch the Externally-Led Patient Focused Discussion before the FDA: https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/pfdd/

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Biking 4 Boomers on Tic Tok. https://www.tiktok.com/@biking.4.boomers

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and it's time to let people know that we are all "Facing Sarcoidosis Together,"  which is the theme for 2025.  In this edition of the FSR Sarc Fighter podcast, I talk with Cathi Davis, Director of Communication and Marketing for FSR, along with fellow sarc fighters and volunteers Theresa Govan and Susan D'Agostino.  Hear about all FSR has planned for April and how sarcoidosis has impacted Susan and Theresa's lives.

Show Notes:

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research recently awarded two grants to further our knowledge of cardiac sarcoidosis.  One of them went to Dr. Ravi Karra, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathology at Duke University.  Dr. Karra is investigating what causes cardiac sarcoidosis, and the best way to treat it.  He joins me on the Sarc Fighter Podcast to talk about his findings and his theory as to what might cause sarcoidosis in some people. 

Show notes:

FSR awards two grants for research on cardiac sarcoidosis: https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/fsr-doubles-investment-in-cardiac-sarcoidosis-research-with-200000-in-grants-to-advance-diagnostic-and-treatment-breakthroughs/

Duke University Sarcoidosis Clinic: https://medicine.duke.edu/divisions/pulmonary-allergy-and-critical-care-medicine/our-programs-and-centers/sarcoidosis-clinic

MORE FROM JOHN:

Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast?  It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account.  (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis)  100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation.  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/

Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR  https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E

My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/

email me  [email protected]

#sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness #