“It’s a Moving Target:” How to Cope with Rheumatoid Arthritis Ups and Downs, with Emily Jacobs

After being a fierce athlete and playing Division 1 water polo, Emily was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 22. She shares lessons learned while working as a night shift nurse for 12 years and having three children.

Emily & Cheryl discuss ways to cope with the ups and downs of chronic illness, especially during times of uncertainty or when it seems the disease is posing “moving targets.” Emily shares what helps her thrive despite obstacles, including: having a supportive community, learning tips & tricks, and using products for accessibility.

Episode at a glance:

• Emily’s diagnosis story: second opinions, new/fluctuating symptoms, uncertainty
• Emily’s treatment journey: methotrexate, steroids, medical cannabis
• Pregnancy and postpartum journey with RA: how RA has impacted functional/lifestyle tasks with parenting
• Work life: Emily shares what it was like working as an ER nurse while managing RA
• Coping with “hard seasons”/flares: having community, validation, knowing “it’s not in my head,” connecting with other patients in the Rheum to THRIVE group; learning tips / tricks / products; accessibility
• What Emily wishes she knew when first diagnosed: autoimmune journey is not linear/is like a moving target; wondering “is this a temporary flare up, or is this long-term”; setting treatment goals - “I want to not be distractingly aware of my RA/health”
• Coping: through a supportive community who “gets it”, learning tips and tricks for creating a rheumatoid arthritis “toolbox”, and addressing the mental health impact that isn’t often talked about

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 Sponsors

Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!

For full episode show notes including a video and transcript:

Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website.

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