Five Things I Wish I had Known when I was Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cheryl explains how rheumatoid arthritis affects more than just joints - it affects people’s whole bodies, and whole lives!

She also explores how she learned to tolerate gray areas rather than seeking black and white answers, and how mindfulness and acceptance helped her with the mental side of life with chronic illness.

This episode also includes a discussion about medical gaslighting, and how Cheryl learned to give herself permission to grieve her diagnosis.

It concludes with a discussion about how managing one’s rheumatoid arthritis is like a full time job.

Episode breakdown:

• 1:00 - #1 - Rheumatoid Arthritis affects more than just joints.
• 5:00 - #2 - RA affects your social life in difficult ways (such as misconceptions) and positive ways (such as connections with a chronic illness community)
• 9:30 - Tips for using websites and social in productive ways
• 12:40: #3 - Gray areas are the norm for autoimmune disease
• 16:09: #4 - Living with chronic illness will affect your mental health.
• 17:49 Cheryl’s experience with allowing herself to grieve her health
• 19:13 - Medical gaslighting.
• 22:14 - #5 - Managing RA is a job but you can learn how to do it!

Medical disclaimer:

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.

Episode Sponsor

Rheum to THRIVE, an empowerment program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. Learn more here!

Speaker Bio:

Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for seventeen years. Her life passion is helping others with rheumatoid arthritis figure out how to live a full life despite arthritis, by developing tools to navigate physical, emotional and social challenges.

She formed the educational company Arthritis Life in 2019 after seeing a huge need for more engaging, accessible, and (dare I say) FUN patient education and self-management resources.

Links discussed in this episode:

• Free training - overcome overwhelm through online health literacy (click “Unit 1” and “Lesson 2” on this page)
• Note: In 2021-23 Cheryl updated the "Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap" course and renamed it to "Rheum to THRIVE,' to signify that it now includes instruction on all forms of inflammatory arthritis / rheumatic disease, not just rheumatoid arthritis.
• Cheryl’s diagnosis story on Youtube
• Free Handout: Cheryl’s Master Checklist for Managing RA
• Cheryl’s Facebook group: Arthritis Life Podcast, Practical Tips & Positive, Realistic Support

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