Every Breath You Ache

In this episode, Debbie and Katy dive into the realities of aging with inflammatory arthritis during Autoimmune Awareness Month. Reflecting on their March birthdays, they ask—are they any wiser? Katy shares her experience with a steroid injection in her wrist, detailing the unexpected pain and unique circumstances, while Debbie talks about a mishap with her microphone, sparking a conversation on clumsiness, strength loss, and how arthritis affects daily life.The discussion expands to aging with chronic illness, including shifting perspectives on midlife, family longevity, and balancing activity with fatigue. They also share how they’ve adapted to physical limitations, from car choices to planning for future living arrangements.Despite these challenges, they emphasize the importance of staying positive, active, and finding new passions, with a metaphor about old furniture symbolizing resilience. They also explore the emotional impact of inflammatory arthritis, how to distinguish disease-related symptoms from natural aging, and the need for better support from healthcare professionals in managing aging and stress.The episode concludes with a hopeful message about ongoing research, new treatments, and the importance of open communication with medical teams. They preview their next discussion on parenting a child with JIA, reminding listeners to embrace life despite its challenges.Key Topics Discussed:Ageing with autoimmune disease and inflammatory arthritisAutoimmune Awareness Month and World Young Rheumatic Diseases DayKaty's steroid injection experienceDaily life challenges: clumsiness, strength loss, and adaptationsShifting perspectives on midlife and family longevityBalancing activity and fatiguePsychological impact of inflammatory arthritisThe need for better healthcare support and communicationEncouragement to stay positive and embrace life’s opportunitiesResources & Links:Follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Blue Sky, and LinkedInSign up for our newsletter at inflammatoryarthritis.orgDon’t forget to rate and review the podcast on your favourite platform!Next Episode Preview:Next week, we’ll be discussing parenting a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and the unique challenges families face. Be sure to tune in!Thank you for listening!Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/A Boutique Broadcast production for Inflammatory Arthritis UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.