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 arthritisDifferent treatments Natasha has tried, including steroid joint injections, methotrexate, biologic medications, nutrition and dietary changes, Ayurvedic medicine, meditation and other lifestyle changesHow Natasha’s mother helped support and advocate for her when it felt like “nothing was working” in her treatment planHow Natasha navigates peer pressure to drinkWays Natasha manages stress while living with juvenile idiopathic arthritisThe importance of cultural representation and what it means for Natasha to see other South Asian people in the chronic illness communityThings that bring Natasha joy, including singingNatasha’s inspiration for forming the nonprofit Take a Pain CheckThe importance of patient involvement in research and advocacyEpisode 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/takeapaincheckYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRF07SYaN-9fbatNCKhL08gWebsite: www.takeapaincheck.com   Other orgs mentionedCheryl on Take a Pain Check podcast Cassie & Friends: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Support & ResourcesResearch projects - JIA option map at University of Ottowa (research)PACER - patients doing reserach on other patients Chronic EileenCheryl’s Arthritis Life Pages:Arthritis Life website: https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/arthritislifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritis_life_cheryl/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritislifeFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisLIFETwitter: https://twitter.com/realccArthritis Life Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arthritislifepodcastandsupportMedical 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.