For Lupus Awareness Month in May, we are joined by Melissa Chieza, an occupational therapist and mental health practitioner who has been living with Type 1 Diabetes and Lupus since she was a child.

In the episode, Melissa discusses her experiences living with Lupus and Type 1 Diabetes since she was a child. She talks about the challenges of managing both conditions, including the emotional toll and the importance of self-care. Melissa also offers advice to others who are living with chronic illnesses, such as finding a support system, advocating for yourself, and learning to say no.

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

In this brief unscripted update, we bring the exciting news that the Podcast is heading out this summer—and its first stop is the EULAR Congress in Vienna!

Keep an ear out for a special mini-series recorded live at the conference in June and for more announcements about other stops and countries on the tour soon!

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

Chery Crow has amassed tens of thousands of followers on social media through her informative and energetic videos. She hosts the hugely popular 'Arthritis Life' podcast and website, where she works towards her vision of a world where every patient feels empowered and equipped to participate in meaningful daily activities with more confidence.

Cheryl also shares her Rheumatoid Arthritis story, what made her take to social media to share it, and why she founded the popular 'Rheum to Thrive' self-management and support programs.

Finally, we touch upon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and why acceptance is not a bad word.

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

Please note that this show contains the following TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide, Grief, and Depression - please consider this when deciding how and where you listen.

In this show, my long-time friend, Ben Veal, founder and director of Second Mountain Comms, shares his personal experiences with anxiety and depression and how he managed his mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll talk about the recent loss of his father and the impact it's had on Ben's self-identity journey.

Whether you're struggling with your mental health, navigating grief, or figuring out who you are and what you want from life, we hope you'll find something to relate to in this show.

If anything in this episode affected you and you need support, you can find it local to you here: https://findahelpline.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

On World Parkinson's Day, join us for a poignant and inspiring conversation with Dr. George Ackerman, a passionate advocate for Parkinson's disease and dementia awareness. Driven by the memory of his mother, Sharon, who bravely battled the disease, Dr. Ackerman has dedicated his life to raising awareness, furthering research, and offering hope to millions impacted by Parkinson's.

Hear Dr. Ackerman share his mother's journey with Parkinson's, the profound impact she had on his life, and his work, including his organisation, "Together for Sharon," and how it's making a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

This is more than just a talk show; it's a platform for inspiration, action, and hope.

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

Osteoarthritis (OA) doesn't discriminate.

It can affect people of all ages, including young adults and even children. In this episode, we talk to Rebecca Kudyk, who was diagnosed with severe Osteoarthritis at the age of 25.

Rebecca shares her story of living with OA and how she has managed to not only maintain a high-profile job and young family, but thrive.

In this episode, you will learn: 

If you or someone you know is living with OA, this episode is for you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

In this episode, we ask what role gender plays in delays to diagnosis.

We are incredibly fortunate to be joined by Professor Yeliz Prior, Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation at the University of Salford, who lives with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and osteoarthritis.

Alongside exploring her personal lived experience journey and the great work she does as a prominent figure in the Rheumatology community, we discuss diagnostic delay and how gender and different patterns of clinical presentation across them can impact this.

Listen now to what was, at the time of recording, our most-watched live show ever - and for good reason!

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

Music Credit: Buffon – by Gideon Murray

Ahead of Rare Disease Day, we welcome Rachel Rimmer and Mark Telkman from Rare Autoinflammatory Conditions Community UK (RACC-UK) to illuminate the often-overlooked world of these chronic illnesses and how they differ from autoimmune diseases.

RACC-UK is a UK-based charity supporting individuals living with rare autoinflammatory conditions, their families, and carers. They work tirelessly to improve their lives through information, support, advocacy, working alongside healthcare professionals and informing policy.

Discover how RACC-UK creates a lifeline for patients facing isolation and empowers them to become active participants in their healthcare. Learn about their valuable resources and initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of those living with autoinflammatory conditions.

Join us as Rachel shares her poignant diagnosis journey in the search for answers. Despite symptoms from birth, it took over a decade for her to be diagnosed with Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD). We learn about this experience and how it led to advocacy and becoming the Director of RACC-UK.

This conversation is more than just a medical exploration; it's a call to action. We'll discuss the challenges of raising awareness, receiving a timely diagnosis, and ensuring a better future for all affected by these complex conditions.

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

We are incredibly fortunate to be joined by not only Ass. Prof. Dr. Rachel Sommer, Head of People-Centered Health Care Research and Psychodermatology at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, but a surprise guest in leading Dermatologist Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin, Director of the Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing of the same institution who discuss the vitally important work they both do in people-centered healthcare.

Person-centered healthcare (PCHC) is a holistic approach to healthcare that puts the patient's needs and preferences at the centre of care. 

In PCHC, the patient is seen as an active partner in their own healthcare, involved in all aspects of their care, from setting goals to making decisions about their treatment. This approach has been shown to provide improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

We explore the relevance of PCHC, especially in the context of mental health and dermatological conditions, discuss the benefits, how to implement it in practice, and current projects related to PCHC in dermatology.

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.

In this final episode of our three-part mini-series focusing on three people with three autoimmune diseases in one family, 'Joel vs Arthritis' Twitch community member Lauren Gibbons shares her story of living with Ulcerative Colitis and how she believes childhood trauma and stress contributed to the development of her autoimmune condition. 

She discusses her journey to diagnosis, her decision to undergo total colectomy surgery, and how she is managing her Ulcerative Colitis today - including by using peer support communities and gaming as escapism.

Discussion Topics:

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to leave a review and subscribe wherever you listen to help more people find our peer support community. <3

Follow our GUEST:

Follow the HOST:

Join our Online Peer Support Community and Discord server here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.com/invite/dUean4vDcX⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch The Chronic Pain Club Talk Show and these interviews LIVE on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMER: Our content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. The host of this podcast and its producers are in no way medically trained and do not claim to be. On this show, we share the lived experiences of others—their stories are their own, and we cannot be held responsible for their views or recommendations. Everyone is unique—what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your medical professionals.