What’s it like to be a Teenager with Juvenile Arthritis?

Natasha and Cheryl discuss her treatment journey, how her social life was affected by JIA, the importance of diet and stress management in her treatment plan, and why Natasha formed the nonprofit Take a Pain Check.

Episode at a glance:

• Natasha’s diagnosis story and early experiences with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Different treatments Natasha has tried, including steroid joint injections, methotrexate, biologic medications, nutrition and dietary changes, Ayurvedic medicine, meditation and other lifestyle changes
• How Natasha’s mother helped support and advocate for her when it felt like “nothing was working” in her treatment plan
• How Natasha navigates peer pressure to drink
• Ways Natasha manages stress while living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• The importance of cultural representation and what it means for Natasha to see other South Asian people in the chronic illness community
• Things that bring Natasha joy, including singing
• Natasha’s inspiration for forming the nonprofit Take a Pain Check
• The importance of patient involvement in research and advocacy

Episode Sponsor

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Episode links:

• Submit an “Ask me Anything” question to Cheryl in honor of the Arthritis Life Podcast reaching 25,000 downloads! Email at info -at- MyArthritisLife.Net or on the social media links below by Saturday, November 6th.
• Natasha and Take a Pain Check’s channels:
  • ALL RESOURCES AND PODCAST: https://instabio.cc/takeapaincheck
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapaincheck_/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck
  • Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRF07SYaN-9fbatNCKhL08g
  • Website: www.takeapaincheck.com
• Other orgs mentioned
  • Cheryl on Take a Pain Check podcast
  • Cassie & Friends: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Support & Resources
  • Research projects - JIA option map at University of Ottowa (research)
  • PACER - patients doing reserach on other patients
  • Chronic Eileen
• Cheryl’s Arthritis Life Pages:
• Arthritis Life website: https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/
• Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/arthritislife
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritis_life_cheryl/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritislife
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisLIFE
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/realcc
• Arthritis Life Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arthritislifepodcastandsupport

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.

Transcript: go to MyArthritisLife.Net for full episode details and a transcript.

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