Episode 60 Is it Brain Fog?

Introduction: Brain fog, Pain, Weather and a dash of art therapy. Inflammatory! with Debbie Wilson and Katy Pieris navigating life with inflammatory arthritis.

Debbie: Hello and welcome to Inflammatory with Debbie

Katy: And Katy

Debbie: You’ve had a long week, Katy, haven’t you?

Katy: I have, yes, had a lovely work trip up to up to the Toon Up to Newcastle for anyone that doesn’t understand anything I’m saying.

Debbie: How was it?

Katy: I mean it was really good fun apart anyway, yeah. So always a story.

Debbie: Always.

Katy: I missed my alarm in the morning. So, I’d set my alarm for 5 35 in the morning. I’d actually set two alarms, one for 5 35, one for 5 40, and then my alarm anyway goes on snooze. So, every eight minutes it goes off. Five fifty-three, sprang out of bed. I should have been leaving my house at five fifty-five to get like a train at six nine. So, I got then I’d kind of got a contingency plan. So that was to get to the station quite a bit earlier than my train, like to allow to get breakfast, get a coffee, that kind of thing. and then so I got on the train going to another London station. And that train was fine. Then I had to get the underground to get the train to Newcastle. Then I got to

Debbie: Yeah, because you have to go across to so you’re in South London, you have to go to North London to get the connection trains. Yeah, yeah.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah. And I was on the underground and I got to, for anyone that knows London, Bank Station, and the Underground just said, we’re being held at a red signal. there’s been a signal failure at Camden. We don’t know how long we’re going to be sat here. So, sit there. I sat there for like two, three minutes. Then I was like, maybe I should just go another because you can get another route. So, I got out of the station, went to another underground station to get a different line. Obviously didn’t make my train. So, then I had to talk to a ticket man at King’s Cross station. And I was like, and there was a valid excuse, you know, because the underground was stuck there was a signalling failure. I had all and that route should have got me there on time, like just on time. And luckily didn’t have to pay any extra, thank God. But then was late for my meeting in Newcastle. So, it was just stressful. But I was quite calm, like normally those situations. I get really sort of Aggie and frustrated. Then I was like, well, there’s nothing I can do about it. I had time to buy a nice bacon sandwich at the station, get myself a coffee, and then I had a nice journey just by myself up to Newcastle rather than with loads of my colleagues. So, it was actually all in all quite good.

Debbie: Pros and cons.

Katy: Pros and cons. And then on the way back down, the train was so busy. So, we’d all got allocated seats. But normally what we try and do is just like go in a carriage and try and all sit together. but we couldn’t do that. It was just packed. It was one of those situations where you go to your allocated seat and then someone’s already sat in it, and then you’re like, I’m not going to chuck you out, I’ll just go and find another seat. If there was no seats, I would chuck somebody out.

Debbie: Yeah, I’ve had that. But then I tried that once, but then someone actually had the same like ticket as me with the same seat. So, they double book So I couldn’t yeah, I couldn’t chuck him off. I was like, fun, I have to go find somewhere better. Thankfully there was. But

Katy: I no. it was I mean there was no sort of travel issues. So, we were quite lucky it was just so busy. I left Newcastle at lunchtime yesterday ’cause I wanted to be back for sort of dinner and stuff like that.

Debbie: least you got home and I’m glad you had a good time though.

Katy: no, was really it’s always nice because of where I work, we’re all dotted in different offices around the country. So as a team, you don’t actually like there’s loads of colleagues you don’t actually really meet in person. So it was nice in that front. But it is just it’s quite a lot. And it’s not that far actually on the trains Newcastle. It’s like door to door four hours, which is brilliant.

Debbie: That’s not bad. Yeah, considering you can’t drive in that it really would.

Katy: No, it’d take about eight, I think. I don’t know, I just wouldn’t drive it.

Debbie: I just thought I would ask you, because I know we haven’t really discussed this symptom, but it can be a huge symptom for people with inflammatory arthritis and also fibromyalgia well. But do you suffer from brain fog?

Katy: So, I don’t think I do really. I ha I think I did when I was first diagnosed and it came more when I was like super, fatigued. I would get brain fog. Now though, I think I’m coming to an age, like I forget words and things like that, but I think I think that’s just an age or perimenopausal thing.

Debbie: That’s the thing. There there’s quite a few sort of blurred lines as well because I was looking up and brain fog, it is the forgetfulness and problems remembering new information. A reduced ability to think quickly, efficiently, especially in distracting environments, difficulty concentrating and feeling alert,

Katy: I mean I can never concentrate, but that’s just a me thing.

Debbie: and difficult and difficulty holding conversation, or the ability to access stored information quickly and efficiently. That’s obviously, that’s more the medical side. But for me, I do keep I’m like halfway through sentences and I just forget what I’m talking about. And

Katy: Yeah. I do that, but I just classify that butterfly brain because my brain disappears somewhere else and like goes on to another subject in my head and then I forget what I was actually talking about.

Debbie: I do okay. Yeah. Well I just the words just literally just go from my head. I know exactly what I want to say, but I just can’t then say it, even though we do this podcast and it’s generally not too bad. Lots of editing. but I’m just trying to work out because I’m getting other symptoms as well. I think my elbow at the moment I’m getting really bad shooting pains from my elbow down to my arm and it’s just making my arm really, really painful.

Katy: Yeah, I’ve had that before as well, actually thinking about it. Yeah, yeah.

Debbie: Have you? It’s like a shooting paint. And it just for that moment you just cannot move your arm. because no one’s ever really spoken to me about what fibromyalgia is compared to inflammatory arthritis. I know when my rheumatologist was looking at my hands, that’s when she mainly thought of fibromyalgia. But because I don’t really understand the differences between them, and we will be de getting someone on to talk about this and from the fibromyalgia charity as well. But I was just thinking from a patient’s side though, when you kind of say, you probably might have got this other comorbidities as well, where does that then line where are those lines crossed between what is inflammatory arthritis and what is this other condition?

Katy: Or just other things going on with the body. Yeah.

Debbie: Yeah, and age as well, as you say, perimenopause, this could be, you know, we’re I’m at I’m coming up to that age. No.

Katy: It could be the start. I you see, I don’t know. Because all that’s my thing. I know we’re probably at some point we’ll have someone come on to talk about this. But like perimenopause, you get joint pain with that. You get brain fog. I know there’s about 40 other symptoms, but I always think, how will I actually know when that’s happening? And it it’s the same with things like brain fog. How do you know what’s causing it?

Debbie: Yeah, because but I do know as you were saying there before though, when you were more fatigued, I must admit, when I am so tired, my brain just really just doesn’t want to work at all. I can’t even talk.

Katy: A lot on one of the DMARDS as well. Yeah. Spo so the sort of day after I just bl was like a cabbage. I’d had like a cabbage brain. ‘Cause it just didn’t function.

Debbie: Yes. I think James. Yeah, because I know James mentioned he has a medication hangover like the next day of taking some of these medications. So yes, I did have that once as well. And it you do feel like you’re hungover, really. But you haven’t been out drinking at all. You haven’t had the enjoyment. No. So yes, but we’re definitely getting people on to talk about this because I think this affects more people than we actually think. Because also when

Katy: yeah, unfortunately.

Debbie: People go to see their rheumatologist, actually from the medical side, can they really tell as well? Because I must admit, sometimes when I go and see maybe in years ago when I used to go and see my GP and I said, I’ve got another pain, you know, this is hurting. Then you’ve got inflammatory arthritis, it’s all just that. And so, but actually, is it? And I think we’re some more information about what can be each condition would be really useful, I think.

Katy: and actually just understanding all of the symptoms and a bit like what Dr. Rosemary went through, the sort of differences across the piece, because there’s lots of commonalities, but there are also sort of differentiating factors across the different diseases. So, I do think that’ll be quite interesting.

Debbie: Yeah, no, that would be. Yeah. And also, you know, please get in touch with us as well. If you kind of think of any symptoms that you have that you’re not sure whether it is inflammatory arthritis, is it age? Is it you know, again, this would be something that we can then bring up and talk to medical professionals as well on our podcast. But also people with that lived experience as well, how can they differentiate the differences as well. So yeah.

Katy: Yeah.

Debbie: But there’s also research out there, Katy I know last week we were talking about the weather, and obviously we’re British and we generally have to. there is this new research out. Actually, it was tracking over 13,000 participants using their smartphone. And actually, they worked out that the weather can actually impact on our inflammatory arthritis. I think it’s the first time it’s sort of been proven.

Katy: I think it is, yeah, there was the study years ago that actually came out saying weather didn’t impact inflammatory arthritis, but it’s amazing because we all feel it. ’cause I have always said there’s the I can’t remember the mean girls character who talks about being able to predict the rain through her nipples.

Katy: I’ve always thought with inflammatory arthritis, you’re basically you’re like her, but you predict the weather through your joints. And I hope there’s other mean girls fans out there, otherwise nobody has a clue what I’m talking about.

Debbie: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Katy: Have you never seen Mean Girls? I love it. It’s such a terrible film, but it’s absolutely brilliant.

Debbie: Okay, maybe I’ll have a I’ll have a try and watch of that at some point. But yeah, but getting back to this study though, because it can track on your smartphone, it automatically tracks the weather as well. When you have like your location on it tracks the weather. So I think it was really an amazing bit of research because it did show the main findings were that higher humidity was associated with increased pain. I think we do know that because we were talking last week and actually when it gets really hot here, I feel just more heavy and my joints just swell up.

Katy: And it’s more about that humid heat rather than that dry heat, ’cause there is a definite difference in that. You can really tell.

Debbie: Yeah, because actually years and years ago when I was very young, I did actually go to Florida with my family. And that’s the first time I think I’ve really properly had humidity. And that was that was just awful. And I think my joints were flaring up as well. But then also because we’re doing lots of walking, it was hard to tell whether it was that or is it the walk. So yes. But there’s also low atmospheric pressure was linked to increased pain. Again, I think

Katy: Yep. And how would we know it’s the low atmospheric pressure? That’s what I was trying to think about earlier. I know sometimes on because thunderstorms, but that’s normally high pressure, isn’t it?

Debbie: that’s a good question. Let me have a Google quickly.

Katy: Because I always think in a thunderstorm I always feel like my joints are gonna go.

Debbie: Yeah, so is the systems form when warm air rises, cools and condenses into clouds and precipitation. So

Katy: So that that’s low pressure. okay. So that is kind of thunderstorm weather.

Debbie: Low atmospheric pressure. So yeah. I think probably also if it’s for me it’s those changes though from one to another very quickly. I think in the UK we’re finding that a lot more as well. I know.

Katy: Yeah.Well, we’ve had about three hundred seasons. I mean I think I feel like I’ve had winter, summer, winter, spring, autumn, winter, winter, winter, winter, spring, spring, summer summer, half summer. Anyway, and it thought it was gonna be summer tomorrow, but it doesn’t look like it’s gonna be. It’s just gonna remain spring. Sorry.

Debbie: But they were also saying that the stronger winds were associated with increased pain levels as well. And to kind of just go back to this the research side, they were saying that th these associations remained even after accounting for mood, physical activity, and other potential influencing factors well. So, from stats brain, they are yeah, they’re the risk factors, they are independent variables. So yeah, it was it was very interesting because I think, as you say, we all feel it, but there has been anything there to prove it. And people just think, Yeah, you’re going mad. It’s an old wives tale, probably.

Katy: Yes, yeah. And were those thirteen thousand participants, they must have been across different countries.

Debbie: Assume so. I didn’t actually know. But we’re gonna get this researcher on to talk about it as well because I think it’s a really insightful bit of research because as you say, this hasn’t been proven before and it has now. So but yeah, but to track it on your smartphone as well, I think that’s brilliant.

Katy:  Yeah. Yeah, and probably when the research projects I’d seen like years ago, I don’t think smartphones would have been as smart because it was the technology I don’t I imagine wasn’t there then.

Debbie: Yeah, because it probably works all behind the scenes because yeah, my washing machine tells me you’re sure you want to put the washing because it’s going to rain and that’s just mad for me.

Katy: I find that bonkers.

Debbie: And it’s not an expensive washing machine, it’s just on an app. But I suppose apps on smartphones, and they just track the weather as well. So, but it’s really it yeah, for me it was really interesting and I was glad that sort of came out as well. And I think especially with the humidity that we were having in the UK. But yeah, globally as well, you know, put in contact what happens with you in in other areas as well. And I think it’s then what healthcare professionals are going to do like now that we know this information, what can they do to help well, and I guess it’s down to us as patients. We now know this. What can we do ourselves to then sort of look after ourselves? Well, because I mean, weather forecasters not always great. But I was gonna say if you can see the weather’s going to change, try and help yourself a little bit beforehand, but obviously you know, we don’t actually know what the weather’s gonna do.

Debbi:  And I suppose it’s also for me, even though I’ve had this for so many years, it’s still learning what is good for me. And it’s just I don’t know what would then help me, knowing that if I know that the weather’s going to be awful tomorrow, the change of atmospheric pressure. I don’t know what I do about it though. That’s the thing.

Katy: No, ’cause you can’t then go, I won’t do anything tomorrow because otherwise, especially in this country, you’d never do anything

Debbie: You’d never do anything. No, you really wouldn’t. And actually yeah, and and we always say and I would don’t want it to ever be this barrier to enjoying life. So I’d still want to go and do things, but I suppose it’s just also knowing that maybe more in the back of my mind that actually just try and pace yourself a little bit more sort of thing, just being more aware, I think, more than anything, and making sure that, you know, I take my medications on a weekend. Because sometimes I have forgotten just because I have to get mine out of the fridge by the end of the day, I’m like, I didn’t do it. I have to do it tomorrow. And you know, it’s just that self-care thing, isn’t it? Just making sure

Katy: Yeah. Yeah. And actually I had friends over last Saturday and I always do my injection on a Saturday and then they didn’t leave ’til very, very late. So, I then was like, No, my beds more important. So, I did it the next morning instead of that evening.

Debbie: Yes. Can sort of throw it out a little bit, I think. So, it’s just making sure it it’s a routine, but as you say, you know, you’re human and sometimes life just gets in the way. So, but yeah, I know what also we did speak about last week, and I have been thinking about this a lot, was the NEIAA audit, the national early inflammatory arthritis audit. And I kept saying it’s for those that diagnosed early. And actually, what if you’re not diagnosed for us as patients, if you’ve been having symptoms for say over ten years, because we know people have been.

Katy: Yeah.

Debbie: I wouldn’t then say that’s early diagnosis. That’s late diagnosis. But then maybe to try and get the engagement, we do they are looking to change the name as well. And I’m trying to make sure that then early is taken out and put newly diagnosed. I think that would really help the engagement side of it as well. Because I suppose some people might think, well, I as I say, I haven’t been diagnosed early. That for me, that’s not an audit for me. I’m not going to feel these out.

Katy: No. That’s very late diagnosis. Yeah

Debbie: Actually it’s not. You’re just newly diagnosed.

Katy: Yeah, that’s a really good point because it you know, and even I it took a year for me to be diagnosed and I felt like that was a long time. Even though I now realise after all the sort of conversations that we’ve had, that’s that that’s actually really, really quick. But I think I’d read the nice guidelines about is it six weeks or three months or something that you want to get people onto treatment from first talking about brain fog.

Debbie: Yeah. From the symptoms to the yeah yes, to referral and then to treat

Katy: First symptoms. I was like, what’s that word? No, I don’t I don’t get brain fog.

Debbie: No, you don’t, it’s all. But yeah, we are going to be then having this meeting with about the audit. But then I must admit I was gonna say something I’ve completely forgotten now. I can’t remember.

Katy: This wasn’t scripted, by the way.

Debbie: No. But no, but as you were saying, the nice guidelines, but this is what the audit is testing against. It is those guidelines and actually seeing, are you referred within say six weeks, are you seen or have you got your treatment by then? And also, one of them is more about clinical remission as well. And I think there’s having these conversations about remission and actually what that means to us as patients is very different to the medical side as well. And but do you feel you

Katy: Yeah. Because I’m in clinical remission. But am I really in but am I really in remission I don’t know, ’cause I still get the odd flare up. It’s not horrendous. Yeah, exactly. But that is that why it’s called clinical remission because you’re taking medication.

Debbie: Yeah. And you still take medication? I would have I’ve been told that something like that is called medicated remission. Because you’re still exactly people say different things. So, again, this is where for patients, what does that actually mean?

Katy: all my notes say clinical remission. Yeah. Which is why I interpreted it that if I’m medicated that equals clinical. That’s why the clinical word comes from. But that’s so that’s interesting.

Debbie: It could be. It’s just I’ve just been told something different, but I’m now not in in in remission at all. My joints are not great. I’m still waiting.

Katy: Still waiting. Dot dot dot. Three hundred years later.

Debbie: Yes. Yes, it probably would be. But yeah, but also, getting back to Eula last week, another thing that really did come out and again brain fog completely forgot was we were talking about art therapy and they really want to do a session next year with art therapy and I was thinking about all the other therapies that we could do. but obviously if your wrists are very painful and your hands are sore, I might not be able to do art therapy. But when I’m talking better though, I love it. I think it’s yeah I’m a rubbish artist by the way. I absolutely have no talent at all. But it is just that escapism, isn’t it?

Katy: Yeah, yeah. I have to admit, so when I’ve done my two classes,

Debbie: Masterpieces.

Katy: my two masterpieces that you know I’ve signed for when I’m dead and famous.

Debbie: Your son will be a millionaire.

Katy: Yeah, yeah, after my great brush strokes. Anyway, it is actually I mean I would never personally go, I’m gonna get the paints out and I’m gonna paint. Some of my friends do. So, but I will go to it if it’s like a social opportunity and it’s either with friends or for another reason. And it is actually it is really, really fun. If there’s no expectation that what’s gonna come out is meant to be good.

Debbie: Yeah, well beauty of art is in the in the eye of the beholder. Yes.

Katy: It is, and I mean if you ever go to an art gallery, I sometimes look at stuff and go, What? What? Yes. Yes.

Debbie: Yes, I have been around the Taten Modern before and that’s that is very interesting. But yeah, I I just think it’s great. But what I have seen more recently though in some sort of pubs bars that I that are near mine, they do instead of like and there’s like you do knitting and you chat.

Katy: the lady was knitting next to me on the train yesterday. Yeah I caught she’d got some little instructions on her phone. I was like, this looks fun. I I can’t knit though. gosh, you are. I did do this thing where you stab it in. It’s a bit like sewing, but you stab it in, pull it through, but I only got halfway through. Then I got bored.

Debbie: I’m allergic to wool and most things, so I can’t I can’t hold it. But near me, in some of the pubs and that they’re doing prosecco and paint. So, you can so it is trying to be a bit more it’s a slow

Katy: Yes. Sip and paint nights.

Debbie: But they’re coming a lot more popular. So, it’s one way of, you know, just getting out to be a bit more social and also, yeah, you get something to take home with you. So yeah, but there are also some really good charities that do that do art therapy as well. and I went to a local event yesterday and talking to other charities because even in whatever area you’re in, there are so many amazing small charities that are doing really great work. And it’s just trying to find out who and what they are. Because I apart from me being involved in, you our charity and going to these events I didn’t know they existed.

Katy: Yeah

Debbie: Because obviously inflammatory arthritis can impact on everyday life. whether you’re parenting, whether you’re struggling, trying to work, there are really good charities that can really help you through that stage of life if you’re struggling. Go and have a look and see what’s in your local area and yeah, doing these sip and paint things as well would be really interesting.

Katy: No, definitely.

Debbie: Yeah, because I also saw that you were went bowling and you did shuffleboard. Yes.

Katy: Shuffleboard. So, bowling I used to find really tricky with my wrists. And it used to actually I used do it and it used to really, really hurt. But so now that things are a lot better and kind of like I can play tennis, I can ride a bike again. but I just use the lightest bowling ball available, which does mean you can’t it’s harder to get a strike. So, there’s my excuse. But I came third. I came third. I was quite pleased with that.

Debbie: I can’t do it with my elbows.

Katy: But shuffleboard I think is quite inclusive in term apart from you’ve got to stand to do it. but I was pretty damn good at shuffleboard after a I mean at first it was I was wanging it off the table, but I got some very good hits and knocked people off the table. So, it’s a bit like bowls. it’s a cross between bowls and curling.

Debbie: Yes. Yeah, ’cause it’s just on the as you stand up it’s just on the on the board and do you get like the wood around it as well, the

Katy: Yeah. And you the what’s it called? But you scatter it’s like sandy wood. Yeah, wood dust, maybe that’s what it’s called. Wood it’s ’cause it’s not wood chip, but maybe it’s wood dust. It’s a bit like sandy woody sand. I was I was sprinkling it on.

Debbie: I don’t know Wood dust.

Katy: Yes, yeah.

Debbie: yeah, we’ll have to go ’cause I actually want to see how competitive you are, Katy

Katy: I’m a nightmare. And we also played this game called Magic Sticks. So, it’s just general corporate stuff. where you have a bamboo stick, and the idea is you’ve got to try and work as a team. Sounds so easy. Work as a team and bring the bamboo stick slowly to well, as quick as you can down to the ground.

But you’ve all got to keep touching it and you can only use those two fingers, whichever finger that is.

Debbie: All right, your first fingers.

Katy: yeah, just to bring it down. Honestly, apparently I was we were talking to one of the people that had been done the training in the office the following day, and he said an F1 team apparently did it in five seconds, like an F one, like the mechanics that take all the wheels and stuff off. But it took us five minutes the first time. Because it’s harder than you would expect.

Debbie: No. Well, it does I must admit it sounds quite simple, but I’m pretty sure it’s not.

Katy: Well, if you’re an F one mechanic, apparently, it’s very simple, but for the average Joe

Debbie: Well, they have to do things within like ten seconds anyway, don’t they? So, they’re very used to it.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah, I mean I got very shouty and like MOVE DON very, very very aggressive.

Debbie: So maybe what we are yeah, we’re also gonna be probably launching on TikTok as well at some point this year. we need to plan it all and then we’ll do a launch and then yes, we’ll get Katy and I having a shuffleboard competition and we’ll see how competitive you get.

Katy: You might not like me after that, just warning you.

Debbie: We have to sign an agreement. What goes on in shuffleboard stays in shuffleboard.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah. This is not a reflection on my character, even though it really will be. It depends if I think I’m gonna say something like painting, I’m not competitive to be the best. I mean I guess it’s not really it’s not really something that is competitive, but yeah, I get yeah, I do get quite competitive. Like bowling, I wasn’t that competitive because I just know it’s not my bag.

Debbie: I’d love to go bowling, but last time it really hurt my right elbow cause I’m right-handed and then I tried my left and it really swelled up my left wrist. So, I just thought I can’t and then they wanted to go play pool and it’s like I can’t I couldn’t play pool either. So, it’s but yeah, just but making sure though I think what any corporate things are that they are trying to be I as inclusive as possible.

Katy: It’s not worth it. I actually ’cause my boss did say to me she wasn’t sure, she said it was really hard thinking of an activity because she did ask me, she was like, is bowling okay for you? And I said, it is, I think. But again, sometimes it can be and sometimes it could be awful. So, I can’t say for I mean, there is lots of girls with very long nails. And so, they would just pushing it down because they didn’t want to ruin their nails. So, saying I came third, basically I was probably the third person without long nails.

Debbie: Yeah, I can’t I can’t do long nails. I just think yeah, I can’t but

Katy: I get annoyed with well; I have to cut mine for netball anyway. And I used to have I used to just grow my own long nails, but I just find them really annoying now. And they get dirty.

Debbie: Yeah, I used to play the piano so you couldn’t have long nails. And I also find typing; I can’t and I just no. anyway.

Katy: yeah. If you want long nails, have long nails. It’s just a personal preference. It just doesn’t want to offend people that have got nice nails because they do look very nice.

Debbie: Yeah. completely. Yes, yes. We won’t stop anyone. They can do, yeah, just not for me. don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter at inflammatoryarthritis.org. And you can follow us on social media. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, and LinkedIn. And also, YouTube, and you can actually watch our episodes, and you can subscribe to our channel as well. And hopefully, as I say, we’re trying to get launched on TikTok at some point. We’ll let you know when. anyway, Katy, lovely to talk to you. Have a fantastic weekend. And until next week, it’s goodbye.

Katy: Goodbye.

In this warm, funny, and deeply relatable episode, Debbie and Katy dive into the messy reality of living with inflammatory arthritis; from chaotic travel days and brain fog to shooting elbow pain, perimenopause confusion, and the blurred lines between inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia. They explore new research finally proving what patients have said for years: weather really does affect pain. They also chat about art therapy, inclusive social activities, bowling with dodgy wrists, and the joy (and chaos) of corporate team‑building games. It’s an episode full of honesty, humour, and the kind of lived experience you only get from people navigating this condition every day.

Keywords

inflammatory arthritis, brain fog, fibromyalgia, perimenopause, weather and pain, humidity, low atmospheric pressure, patient experience, DMARDs, medication hangover, art therapy, NEIAA audit, remission, chronic illness, lived experience, arthritis research

Key Topics Covered

• Travel chaos & chronic illness
• Brain fog; what is it really?
• Fibromyalgia vs inflammatory arthritis
• Weather & pain; new research
• What do we do with this information?
• NEIAA audit & the importance of language
• Clinical vs medicated remission
• Art therapy & creative escapes
• Inclusive social activities
• Community, local charities & support

Resources & Mentions

• NEIAA – National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (Discussion on terminology and patient engagement)
• Weather–pain research using smartphone tracking (13,000 participants)
• Fibromyalgia charities – upcoming guest planned
• Local community charities offering art therapy and support services
• Inflammatory Arthritis UK – newsletter & social channels

Connect with Us

Stay up to date with new episodes, resources, and community updates:

• Website & Newsletter: inflammatoryarthritis.org
• Social: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky
• YouTube: Watch full episodes
• TikTok: Coming soon!

Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medical professionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. 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/