Take a Pain Check

On this week’s episode, Afshin Bhimani discusses her journey living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. She starts off by explaining her lengthy diagnosis process and how she felt during this time. Once she started to go to doctors to figure out what was wrong, she was unable to find a physician who took her seriously. Moving from India to the States, Afshin discusses the cultural changes that occurred in her life. Natasha and Afshin both bond over Indian culture and holistic approaches they’ve tried. They discussed what they thought caused their diagnoses’ and both predict that changes in environments were a trigger for both of them. Due to Afshin's disability, she has a service dog - Sammy - who has been a great support in her life. Afshin talks about her struggles with US healthcare, as well as the ups and downs she faced with the comments of others when she brought her service dog. They end off the podcast by talking about “Desi and Diseased,” Afshin’s website and Instagram that she uses to raise awareness for South Asians living with chronic conditions.  

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Afshin's socials: Instagram: desi.spoonie TikTok: solo.spoonie 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

On this week’s episode, Aleina Margos joins Natasha to discuss her journey with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). Being diagnosed during the pandemic, Aleina starts off the episode by elaborating on her rheumatoid arthritis, including symptoms, topicals and  pill medications that she was prescribed at first. Aleina and Natasha discuss the affects of their medication, like discolouration and how they abstain from scratching the skin. Aleina elaborates about her diagnosis period and how she received a lack of support from her friend. The conversation progresses onto the bonding of costochondritis, as well as the confusion and struggle a patient experiences when they start experiencing other pains that might not actually be arthritis.  Finally, Aleina and Natasha shine light on the power of community via social media. Aleina expands on her own Instagram page, as well as her involvement in Patients Rising and being a TAPC ambassador.  

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast do not represent or reflect the official policy or position of the Take a Pain Check Foundation and podcast. All information shared is from personal experiences and does not constitute medical advice. We do not take responsibility for any statements expressed during the Podcast and Take a Pain Check does not endorse any products or services. Any said products or services mentioned on this podcast may not be suitable for you or your condition. Please consult with your physician if you have medical questions as it may pertain to your condition.

We've now launched the Joint Chat Rheum Program and our first session is on Sunday, May 29th at 4pm EST. If you're interested in hanging out with us and making friends with other youth with arthritis, you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/UEPfJSuc5ZSpbwpz8 

Aleina's Socials: Instagram - @arthriticaleina 

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

Take a Pain Check’s Mother’s Day special features Jenni Weaver, a mom of 3 kids, that comes on the podcast this week to discuss her diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis and pustular psoriasis. The discussion starts off with the basics, specifically talking about Jenni’s original symptoms that led to a diagnosis after several years. Natasha and Jenni discuss the set backs in terms of communication in health care, focusing on the struggle of getting a copy of blood test results. The conversation continues with Jenni explaining how she went switched to different rheumatologists and was finally able to find the medication that didn’t cause several allergic reactions. Jenni and Natasha discuss the importance of having someone else advocate for them at appointments. The episode progresses to Jenni providing her tips and tricks on how to manage her disease and parenting with her kids. Finally, they end off the podcast episode talking about the power of social media and online advocacy. Jenni's Socials:  @Gracefully_jen @My_Spoonie_Sisters 

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck

 Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

Dr. Rae Yeung started off her education journey dreaming to be pilot or an astronaut. But she realized quickly, that she had a passion for medicine, children, and rheumatology. The conversation on this week’s podcast episode starts off with a timeline of Dr. Yeung’s journey on becoming a pediatric rheumatologist and a researcher. Dr. Yeung talks about her primary research interest - precision medicine and specifically how this will be able to treat patients on an individualized level based on genes. Furthermore, she clarifies the availability of genetic testing (clinical vs research) for patients. Natasha and Dr. Yeung provide their perspectives on COVID-19 specifically: in person versus virtual visits, the effects and shortages of medications used for both COVID-19 and arthritis, the effectiveness and fears of being on immunosuppressive drugs, and finally the similarities and difference with your immune system with COVID vs arthritis. The discussion progresses into talking about Kawasaki disease, and it’s symptoms that may in fact be COVID-19 related. Lastly, the episode ends off with Dr. Yeung expressing her knowledge of what the future of rheumatology looks like including two major research projects she founded - UCAN CAN-DU and UCAN CURE.

Dr. Rae Yeung's initiatives: https://twitter.com/ucancandu https://twitter.com/SickKidsNews https://twitter.com/CAPRI_Canada https://www.ucancandu.com/ Dr. Rae Yeung's Lab - https://lab.research.sickkids.ca/yeung/

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

This week’s episode features Savannah Lohnes - a second year university student from Windsor living with Juvenile Arthritis. Savannah starts off by remembering the time when she woke up bed ridden; she couldn’t get out of bed. Previously, her dad was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and to no surprise, Savannah was diagnosed with JA and then later Hemochromatosis. Natasha and Savannah both bond over being diagnosed with the same condition at 13, thinking it’s due to a sports injury, being high achievers in school and what that actually came to be.  Savannah played competitive soccer all her life but had to stop when she was diagnosed. However, Savannah still incorporated her love for sports in a less rigorous way - recreationally. The conversation continues to go through the school timeline and the differences accommodations were like from elementary school to high school and finally now to university. Finally, they end off the episode talking about Savannah’s initiative, Clips 4 a Cause. Using her love for arts and crafts, she creates resin-based clips and donates a portion of the proceeds to charity.

Savannah's Socials: Instagram: @savannahlohnes @clips4acause

Check out our socials:

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

This episode is no longer available.

In honour of Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, Morgan Harris comes on Take a Pain Check to talk about her story with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Diagnosed at 8 years old, Morgan discusses how she didn’t know what was happening to her body, let alone even trying to explain the concept to her friends. At 13, Morgan underwent a period of remission. Unfortunately, the arthritis came back. Morgan and Natasha discuss their experiences and preferences on pills vs injections, their support systems and some pain management strategies. The roles swap for a second where Morgan asks Natasha how she went from telling 1 person in high school about her arthritis to now running this whole podcast. Not only that, they discuss all things transition and Morgan’s experience at a transition clinic in Toronto. Lastly, they dive deep into the Patient and Community Engagement Research program where Morgan and Natasha conducted research alongside other young adult living with arthritis on patients with arthritis.

Registration for The Mind, Body, Bluetooth Event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-mind-body-bluetooth-event-tickets-263418440647?keep_tld=1

Morgan’s Socials - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgan._harris/

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck G

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara 

Carrie Zamudio joins our host Natasha this week on Take a Pain a Check to discuss her journey with rheumatoid arthritis. Her story starts off with a long period of time in which she was not being treated and then finally getting diagnosed during the pandemic. We discuss all things arthritis, including bone deformity, her medication journey prior to pregnancy and the fears of afterbirth with rheumatoid arthritis. Carrie now has a newborn daughter. But, flashback to October, she was 5 months pregnant when this conversation happened. Some major questions brought discussed the possibility of remission during pregnancy and if a baby is really healing you internally? Throughout Carrie’s life, she gave up the party life and fashion trends, such as heels and much more. The conversation ends off with the importance of mental health, well-being, lifestyle changes, and being in a good emotional state.

Carrie's Socials:  Instagram: @arthritiscarrie  

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck

​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

This week on Take a Pain Check, we welcome Ravia Khangura who joins our host Natasha to talk about her journey living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Ravia starts off by explaining how she initially spent weeks in the hospital to get her diagnosis. Growing up, Ravia studied and became a pharmacy technician. However, once we dive deeper into her life, she reveals that she switched her careers to pursue her passion for makeup. Ravia is now a MAC makeup artist, and she shares her workplace accommodations and answers the big question “how and when did you tell your boss you have arthritis?” The episode ends off, with a segment on her elimination process for food, lifestyle changes, the developed love for guided meditation and mindfulness.

Guided meditation resource mentioned by Ravia: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n4F55PPwC-U&feature=youtu.be

Do you want to help support Take a Pain Check? Our growth relies on you. Support us today on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/takeapainchec... 

Ravia's socials: Instagram @sunshineravz  & @makeupbyravia  TikTok @sunshineravz_  

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara 

“No one knows you better than you, so why let someone else talk for you?” quotes Kasey Bouslaugh, an arthritis advocate from Kansas City. This week Kasey joins our host Natasha on the podcast. We start off with the basics: her story of being undiagnosed for 7 years. Then she opens up about her mental health experiences throughout her arthritis journey. The conversation moves to middle school, when she got bullied, forcing her to put on a brave face. Kasey and Natasha discuss the difference between the Canadian and American health care system, specifically, doctor appointments, labs, and medication. Throughout all of this, Kasey still remains positive and involved in advocacy initiatives such as PR-COIN, PR-COIN PAT, and the Arthritis Foundation, in which she advocates for patients and shares awareness of JIA.  

Do you want to help support Take a Pain Check? Our growth relies on you. Support us today on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/takeapaincheck?fan_landing=true  

Kasey's socials: Twitter: @BouslaughKasey Instagram: @kaseybouslaugh 

PR-COIN socials: https://twitter.com/_prcoin

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara #kansascity #advocacy #disability #juvenilearthritis #rheumatology #unitedstates #rheumatic