Advocacy, Mindset and More: Chrissy’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Journey

Summary:
In this episode, Chrissy shares her journey from the frustration of diagnostic delays to finally receiving a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). She opens up about how she’s come to terms with her condition and embraced her new role as a patient advocate.
Chrissy recounts the challenges she faced seeking medical care for persistent swelling and joint pain. Despite visiting multiple doctors, she was repeatedly told she “wasn’t sick” before ultimately receiving her RA diagnosis. She reflects on the mix of emotions she felt-relief at finally having a treatment plan and the hope it brought, alongside fears about the long term implications of a progressive disease like RA.
Chrissy also dives into the importance of mindset. She explains how maintaining a positive outlook helps her navigate life with RA, while being careful to steer clear of the pitfalls of “toxic positivity.”
Her diagnosis, while life-changing, also brought unexpected opportunities. Chrissy discusses how it inspired her advocacy and fundraising efforts, including an incredible bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to support the Arthritis Foundation.
This heartfelt conversation between Cheryl and Chrissy is a reminder that, even with a chronic illness diagnosis, it’s possible to thrive and find purpose in new and meaningful ways.
Episode at a glance:
Chrissy’s Journey to Diagnosis: From frustrating delays to finally being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Emotional Ups and Downs: The relief of finding a treatment plan and the challenges of accepting life with a chronic illness.
Mindset Matters: Balancing positivity while avoiding the pitfalls of "toxic positivity."
Advocacy in Action: How Chrissy turned her diagnosis into a mission, including fundraising for the Arthritis Foundation.
Inspiring Adventures: Chrissy’s empowering bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to support RA awareness.
Finding Purpose and Adapting: Cheryl and Chrissy discuss thriving, adapting and finding purpose after an RA diagnosis.
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!
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[@deancurson1345]

Methotrexate is a nasty nasty drug, I done the tablets first, vomiting here n there, nausea for 5 days every week no matter how much folic acid was taken. Then done injections to bypass the gut but still nausea with it. Then tried liquid and again nauseous, 18yrs of that. Methotrexate was good for my RA, but not good for me. Then 2yr ago all the meds stopped working, now on biologics, symptoms/side effects better but still my RA is overpowering my meds. The chronic fatigue for 20yr has been horrendous, trying to hold down jobs very difficult but im still working for now but it's getting so much harder week on week. Last year it started attacking organs as well as my joints. It's a proper nasty disease and because people can't see it they have no idea how much we are suffering day to day