Inflammatory!19 Sep 2025

Living with rheumatoid arthritis

Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Sarah’s Journey from Denial to Empowerment

In this episode of Inflammatory!, Debbie and Katy sitdown with Sarah Yorke, who shares her deeply personal journey with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), from the confusion of her first symptoms to the challenges of getting a diagnosis, coping with denial, and ultimately finding strategies that help her live well with this unpredictable condition.

Sarah opens up about:

The frustration of being dismissed by doctors as "too young" for arthritis.
The shock of learning RA is a lifelong condition, not a temporary setback.
How denial shaped her early response & what finally helped her move forward.
The mental health struggles that come with living with fluctuation illness.
Day-to-day strategies that make the biggest difference: sleep, nutrition, exercise & pacing.
The importance of self-advocacy in healthcare & learning to trust your own instincts.
Misconceptions about RA & why fatigue is one of the hardest symptoms to explain.

Her story is one of resilience, honesty, and hope, and a reminder that while everyone’s journey with RA is different, no one has to face it alone

Guest:

Follow Sarah Yorke on Instagram at @arthritisfit_by_sarahfor more on her health, fitness, and RA journey.

Links & Resources:

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