Is it Brain Fog?

In this warm, funny, and deeply relatable episode, Debbie and Katy dive into the messy reality of living with inflammatory arthritis; from chaotic travel days and brain fog to shooting elbow pain, perimenopause confusion, and the blurred lines between inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia. They explore new research finally proving what patients have said for years: weather really does affect pain. They also chat about art therapy, inclusive social activities, bowling with dodgy wrists, and the joy (and chaos) of corporate team‑building games. It’s an episode full of honesty, humour, and the kind of lived experience you only get from people navigating this condition every day.

Key words: inflammatory arthritis, brain fog, fibromyalgia, perimenopause, weather and pain, humidity, low atmospheric pressure, patient experience, DMARDs, medication hangover, art therapy, NEIAA audit, remission, chronic illness, lived experience, arthritis research

Topics covered:

• Travel chaos & chronic illness
• Brain fog; what is it really?
• Fibromyalgia vs inflammatory arthritis
• Weather & pain; new research
• What do we do with this information?
• NEIAA audit & the importance of language
• Clinical vs medicated remission
• Art therapy & creative escapes
• Inclusive social activities
• Community, local charities & support

Resources and mentions:

• NEIAA – National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (Discussion on terminology and patient engagement)
• Weather–pain research using smartphone tracking (13,000 participants)
• Fibromyalgia charities – upcoming guest planned
• Local community charities offering art therapy and support services
• Inflammatory Arthritis UK – newsletter & social channels

Connect with usStay up to date with new episodes, resources, and community updates:

• Website & Newsletter: inflammatoryarthritis.org

• Social: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky
• YouTube: Watch full episodes
• TikTok: Coming soon!

Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medical professionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys, and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content. For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/