Episode 68 Living with or Manage IA Life?

This week’s episode is packed. Debbie and Katy kick off with huge news, Inflammatory! has officially won Best Patient‑Led Health Podcast of 2026, and the community has grown to over 1,000 Instagram followers.

Conversation then covers the realities of living with inflammatory arthritis, from fatigue and flare‑ups to the emotional weight of healthcare systems that don’t always work smoothly. Debbie shares her recent medical experiences, the stress of receiving difficult results without support, and how recovery is slower and more complex when you’re immunosuppressed.

They explore the language used around chronic illness, especially the word “manage”, and why it can feel isolating or restrictive. Instead, they talk about living with IA, adapting, and learning from the community, including recent guests whose stories highlight resilience, movement, nutrition, and the importance of awareness.

Key Topics

• Celebrating the podcast’s award win and growing community
• Katy’s new hamster, Winter, and the joy of small pets
• September fatigue and the “back‑to‑everything” overwhelm
• Debbie’s eye appointment, dry eyes, and the confusion of NHS systems
• Receiving difficult results via the NHS app at the worst possible time
• How non‑IA medical procedures can unexpectedly trigger inflammation
• Immunosuppression, recovery time, and navigating pain
• The emotional impact of stress on long‑term conditions
• Why Debbie dislikes the word “manage” and what alternatives might empower people more
• Reflections on recent guests Luke and Raj: movement, nutrition, resilience, and lived experience
• School experiences, bullying, and the importance of awareness for young people with IA
• Upcoming guests: Raynaud’s, vasculitis, CPPD, and more stories that need to be heard

Takeaway You don’t have to “manage” your condition, you get to live your life with it, adapt, and grow. And you’re part of a community that learns together.

Links & Resources

• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky & YouTube
• Sign up for our newsletter: inflammatoryarthritis.org
• New IA Stories blog: Julie Timms on CPPD arthritis
• Previous episodes with Luke and Raj

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/

Debbie: Hello and welcome to Inflammatory with Debbie.

Katy: and Katy

Debbie: Before we get fully into the episode this week, we have some exciting news to share. First of all, we have won an award. We have won, I think we needed a drum roll beforehand as well, but nevermind.

Katy: Yeah.

Debbie: We have won the best patient led health podcast of 2026. I’m, it is.

Katy: No, it’s so exciting. It’s really exciting. It’s great to be recognised as well.

Debbie: Completely. And I think people might not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes to make sure that these are produced, edited with all the transcripts, the show notes and uploaded to all the platforms as well. So yes, there is a lot of work and just to get that recognition. it was really quite heartwarming actually. it was a nice touch.

Katy: Yeah, it’s lovely.

Debbie: And we’ve also got over a thousand followers now on Instagram. So, if you’re not yet following us, please do, because we want to just increase our reach a lot more. But Katy, you are our Insta queen, so thank you.

Katy: Trying, trying.

Debbie: We’ve kind of split this. So, Katy does two of the platforms and I do the other two. And must admit, you do quite a lot more on, Instagram. I’m a bit slow on the Facebook side. But we are on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn as well. But we are on YouTube. So, if you want to watch all our episodes, please head over to our YouTube channel. So hit subscribe watch all our episodes. And we’ve got a lot more, hopefully more videos, not related to the podcast coming onto that channel as well. So, make sure, you subscribe, but to all our social media platforms, like, share, comment again, it really increases our reach. But if you want the most up-to-date information, please sign up to our newsletter at inflammatoryarthritis.org. But Katy, how are you? And I heard you got a hamster.

Katy: We did, we’ve got a little hamster called Winter and actually she’s scuttling around behind me a little bit now ’cause obviously they’re nocturnal, aren’t they? So, you don’t see her that much through the day. but I did see her just before we came on here having a little around. She’s got red eyes, she’s white. So when I brought her home, my husband was like, What is that? But he quite likes her now. So it’s all good. So

Debbie: And is your son besotted?

Katy: Yeah, no, he loves her. He’d he’s been we’d had a hamster a couple of years ago, but he didn’t last Frankie, this hamster was called, and he didn’t last very long. but he kept on pestering. I think a lot of his friends got cats and dogs over the summer. So, a hamster’s quite, you know, it’s easy, doesn’t last too long, but it’s still a pet. And we’ve said this time that he’s a little bit older, he needs to do the cleaning out and all the maintenance because it kind of shows what is able to do.

Debbie: It’s this extra responsibility, isn’t it? Because you will get a lot more in life.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah.

Debbie: Because when I think it was our first episode, we spoke about you wanting to get a puppy. But hamster it is. That’s fine.

Katy: Yeah. Just think yeah, I just think you’ve got to be around too much and we’re in and out of the house. We’re not we’re not at home all the time. So, I just think it’d be quite difficult and actually quite expensive. because if you had to get dog sitters or dog walkers, I think it just all stacks up.

Debbie: I love my dog and she is absolutely amazing for me, probably what we’ll discuss further into the episode and she’s been amazing. But they are a tie, because she doesn’t really like being left alone and I know that she barks and obviously we have neighbours. So, I do feel quite bad so I try not to go for too long a period leaving her so it is.

Katy: Yeah, and that’s that’s the thing. If we’re both in the office, we’re gonna be out of the house between half seven and half six, which is just too yeah. Yeah.

Debbie: And that’s a long time. Yeah. Maybe one day. But you’re doing okay though.

Katy: Yeah, yeah, just really tired this week. So, it’s just I feel like it’s really got to the sort of everyone’s back to school, back to work, back to like I think sort of September to December can be such a busy period.

Debbie: Yes, it can. think you don’t really, you obviously have August, which is a slight break. And obviously we had a slight break from doing the podcast and obviously you work full time as well. And you did have a couple of weeks off and you kind of think you just get lulled into that false sense of security. And then as soon as September hits, is just, it’s full on and I think you forget how full on it can be. And living with inflammatory arthritis again, but I know for me, my fatigue then hits in a bit more as well.

Katy: Yeah, and I’ve got one of my wrists is starting to slightly play up. So you just It’s frustrating, isn’t it? And how are you, Debbie?

Debbie: Yes, it is. It’s been a while since I think we’ve had a sort of catch up, I think. Yes, I’ve been,

Katy: Yeah. I know there’s been a lot going on.

Debbie: There has been a lot going on. First of all, I had my eye hospital appointment and weirdly they had a go at me for not going for two years. And it’s just like, I have nothing to do. All I do is I hand the form in once I’ve seen the doctor and they put it on when I should be seen. And I’m sure it said like a year. Maybe I got it wrong and it was two years. And so when I went in and they’re like, well, why haven’t you, why haven’t you found out? Why haven’t you done it? And I was like, if there’s ever an issue, like if my eye properly flares, I know that what I have to do, whatever I have to go to the eye hospital, A &E, that is my first point of call. So that obviously hasn’t happened. A few slight little flares, but I’ve been able to sort of cope with that. But I was like, this is nothing to do. I don’t do your bookings, you know? So don’t ever go to the patients for it. What do want me to do?

Katy: I’ve definitely had similar experiences, not eyes, but other appointments where they’ve said, Well, why haven’t you been in? I’m like, Well, either appointments have got moved or I haven’t been booked in for one.

Debbie: I know. And I then forget because I think on some I’m down for their patient portal only. So I don’t get the actual letters, obviously to try and save them money. And for me, I have paperwork everywhere and I always then forget where I’ve put it. but then I was thinking that’s, don’t know where, where would it have come from? I kept checking all my text messages. I thought I haven’t heard anything. And so, yeah, so it was just all a bit like, she was lovely about it, but it was just like, well, that’s kind of put me off a little bit, you know? But yeah, but generally my eyes aren’t too bad. But then at the end she goes, well, you do have, I’ve got thinning of my scleria because I have scleritis. And then she goes, it’s also because you’re getting old and you’re on immune suppressants. And I was like, well, thank you, but there’s nothing I can do about that. And am I really that old?

Katy: No, you’re not at all. No.

Debbie: But I think obviously in the healthcare system, you probably are, you know, because I think when you’re pregnant…

Katy: Yeah, I think once you’re once you’re plus forty, I think there’s loads of things you start getting more and more checks for. But equally I think when you go over fifty I think every decade it feels like I think there’s something else that comes in.

Debbie: Yeah, but also when you’re pregnant, even I think in your late 30s, you’re known as a geriatric mom, which is just the worst title ever. Whoever came up, a bloke probably came up with that, sorry. But it was just ridiculous.

Katy: Yeah, I mean my mum was a geriatric mum when she had me. I I think they had an even worse term for it back then. Yeah, and I think that age though

Debbie: That’s just ridiculous, isn’t it? So, yes.

Katy: does keep increasing slightly. But I don’t know so I don’t actually know the age bracket anymore.

Debbie: No, but yeah, just change the terminology, please. Well according to this doctor, I was. yeah, but then it did really lead me also, I have dry eyes and I think that’s sometimes where some of the pain and everything comes from as well. And so, because again, we have these autoimmune conditions that can cause it and some of our medications can cause dry eyes as well, I’ve really recommend

Katy: They don’t know what the cause is, do they? ‘Cause I can remember a asking my optician kind of and he said there’s just no way of knowing whether it’s your medications or whether it’s your actual condition.

Debbie: just keep up with your eye checks with your just even your local opticians because they can pick it up as well. And you know, the eye drops aren’t they’re not that expensive. And they really, really do help just keep your eyes lubricated. And I think in the summer, air conditioning really dries my eyes out even more. So it’s just, and I kind of forgot about the eye drops. So yeah, so I have them. Yeah, so that was my eye appointment, and the NHS app is driving me mad at the moment. Had something going on over the summer. I won’t go full into details, and I had the results come through on the Saturday of the bank holiday from the NHS app and the results, put it this way, weren’t great. And I had no one to contact at all. So please, If people are listening and then they work in the NHS and especially on the app, can you make sure that any notification comes through during GP hours, I would say?

Katy: Yeah, yeah. ‘Cause if you get that sort of information and you can’t I think you did, didn’t you? You asked Doctor Google.

Debbie: I, well, I had no choice. I really didn’t know what this meant and then what the, what any treatment would be. and yeah, so did have to doctor Google it. you know, Katy, when you were diagnosed with RA and you’ve Googled, it was scary. And so obviously it does come up with the scariest things. And so that kind of just put an absolute downer on me on the, on the first day of the bank holiday. And it’s like, why do that? And

Katy: Yeah, I think that’s dreadful.

Debbie: I really was not. impressed at all. And it probably was 111 you could call, but I just thought, I just want to speak to someone who knows me a bit more that we can have a conversation about it. And so then I then had to have a procedure within two weeks, which I had done last week. And I’ve kind of forgot how, because it wasn’t anything to do with my inflammatory arthritis. I then didn’t think it would impact on my inflammation. And I was so wrong. Because I think, it’s women’s problems, put it that way, that’s what I’m gonna say. But then afterwards, because inflammation was then coming because my body was trying to heal and my hips, my God, I was just crying in agony that evening just because I was just in so much pain and I just didn’t know what to do.

Katy: And did they talk to you prior to the procedure about the sort of impact the procedure could have on your wider health conditions? Or was there any conversation around that? Because obviously, as well, being on immunosuppressants, you don’t heal as quickly. So was there any advice that they gave you around maybe stopping some of your medications? I know that comes up quite a lot for people. Or did you talk to your rheumatologist about it?

Debbie: I didn’t actually talk to my rheumatologist, probably because it was happening all so quickly that then tried to kind of focus a lot more on getting stuff done for the charity because I knew I’d have a couple of days off. I just thought it’s nothing IA related, it’ll be fine. So I didn’t, but when I went there, did mention that I was immune suppressed, they didn’t realize. And they were asking me about.

Katy: This is this is where A and B don’t talk to each other.

Debbie: I know hospital systems and it is the same hospital where I do see my rheumatologist. they’re like, also why are you on this medication? have juvenile idiopathic arthritis. And they’re we’ve never heard of that. What is it? So, I had to explain to them what that is. And then on the, on the system though, they were putting down, had osteoarthritis. And I was like, no, no, it’s not osteoarthritis. This is autoimmune arthritis. And they were like, they were absolutely lovely, so we did have a bit of a laugh and it was fine. But again, it’s just that awareness in just normal healthcare professionals that you see. And I think this is one of the things that is coming out from all our podcasts is treat people as humans, not just this one thing that’s wrong with them because it does impact on others.

Katy: Yeah, and why wouldn’t that come up in your notes? That’s what I don’t understand, because surely a long-term health condition should be flagged and some of the medication should be flagged when they’re seeing you on their screen.

Debbie: Yeah, the only thing that got flagged was I had to have something to do with this 26 years ago. And they asked me if I had my notes from 26 years ago. I was just like, no. And they’re like, did you have it in this town? I was like, yes, I did actually. And they’re like, can you remember what they said? I can’t remember 26 years ago. I’m so, but again, this is why we have the app. I thought everything had been digitalized. But obviously, obviously not. And again, maybe that’s a different hospital as well. It’s just, it’s just crazy that nothing, each other. And so, yeah, so again, a tip, keep all your medical things just because you never know in 26 years time when it’s useful.

Katy: But how would you have the details from that twenty six years ago? I don’t understand.

Debbie: I suppose they would have sent you a letter. You would have

Katy: Saying what?

Debbie: They had what the procedure they did there and what the results were from that procedure.

Katy: My god, I would never have that letter.

Debbie: I suppose I probably did because that’s the only way that there was no app. was probably Google wasn’t invented then. yeah.

Katy: But who’s gonna keep a letter from twenty six years ago? That’s why they have a system.

Debbie: Yes. But then again, it highlights that by all systems and we did speak to someone, I think it was at the British Society for Rheumatology Conference, who went to A &E, had some bloods and everything, then she got admitted to a ward, but the ward had to redo all the bloods because even though it’s the same hospital, different systems, didn’t talk to you. And it’s just, how much money does that waste though? and the patient’s time and effort and everything is ridiculous. Yeah, yeah.

Katy: No, no, it’s the time, it’s all the different people that that they could be because if those tests have already been done, they don’t need like somebody else could be seen. And this is why waiting times, this is why yeah. We’re not gonna solve it, but

Debbie: No system is perfect, but again, it just highlights the frustrations side of it all. So coming back to, I was having this procedure done and I get the results soon. It’s just realizing that whatever you have done, can have an indirect impact into your inflammatory arthritis. And I just had to be on so many…

Katy: Yeah. So it’s thinking a it’s it goes back to doesn’t it, kind of thinking ahead and the fact actually these diseases affect you across all your healthcare because you’ve got to factor in how that might affect the disease and your recovery time,

Debbie: Yeah, because I’m on immune suppressants, the recovery time was a lot longer and it’s only the last couple of days I felt kind of okay and I can sit down for longer it’s just that impact, but also I’m just so glad that my bedroom is now downstairs because I would not have been able to get upstairs at all. Because one hip, because I haven’t had it that painful in my hips for a long time. And you kind of, think your brain wants to forget what it’s like. And I did forget. it’s just like, and then having to, I physically cannot walk. And it was just, it was just so painful. so I had to give myself that time to recover and to process everything as well. And then we just wait.

Katy: And do you think if that conversation had happened when you were having the procedure, do you think sort of any I know quite often pain relief doesn’t do that much, but should there have been a conversation to talk through potential pain relief and extra things to help you?

Debbie: Yes. And I think, but then I think they did say don’t take anti-inflammatories because their wordings were that it can thin your blood a bit. And

Katy: Yeah.

Debbie; Where I had it done, it needed to heal inside

Katy: Fine.

Debbie: And it would have caused more blood. So, it wouldn’t have healed better. and it’s just, just being very careful of you’re more prone to infections as well.

Katy: Yeah.

Debbie: But it’s just, again, it’s having that conversation there, I think with your family as well. Just be a little bit more aware of what you’re bringing into the house and things like that, just because I don’t want any infection afterwards either, because again, it takes that longer to recover. So, it is having these conversations, but I think it’s been open about having these conversations. I was in sort of two minds of whether to tell my children or not about it, but then I thought, well, I’d have to because of the implications afterwards. So, and the stress as well, you know, we’ve spoken a lot and all our guests have spoken as well that stress can impact on this as well, which again, going back to the app and getting these notifications when you have no one that you can then talk to, your stress levels really do increase and that’s not good for anyone. And especially if you live with a long-term health condition that can be triggered by stress.

Katy: Yeah, yeah.

Debbie: You know, it sounds great that all you get to get your results as soon as possible, but just make sure that it’s in hours where you can speak to someone if you need to.

Katy: Yeah, ’cause that must have been timed because nobody’s gonna be that must have been an automation in the system that then sent the results. So

Debbie: Yeah, it would be. Yeah, you know, since they’re done off you get… Yeah, you know, which I get, but then there should be a way of programming it.

Katy: Yeah. But I mean there should be an automation in the system where the programming doesn’t send it at weekends and doesn’t send it over bank holidays. Because that’ll be just some simple coding. Like I know what I’m talking about. yeah.

Debbie: Well, it would be, but yeah, that’s all it is. So, it’s just something else again, just on my back of my mind that I’ve now got to take into consideration.

Katy: Manage, yeah.

Debbie: But yeah, not the word manage though. But that leads us onto,

Katy: yes, that leads

Debbie: to Luke’s episode. What did you think of that?

Katy: Yeah. I mean amazing. I just I can’t believe how many things he has done.

Debbie: I know.

Katy: but also it’s just another example of people seeing the challenges of the disease but actually utilizing that to do some brilliant things. I mean, could fully appreciate not everybody can get to that position though where they can do some of these things. So I’m always quite conscious that when we’re sharing some of these really inspirational stories, it it’s about looking at yourself though as well, and looking at what is viable for you and because these conditions affect everybody really, really differently. so just thinking about, yes. he’s done X, Y, and Z, that might not be something you feel is possible. You know, I would never be able to swim the channel. I hate swimming for one. But I would I just don’t I wouldn’t cope with the cold, all that, but what can you take from it and what things can you, look to try and do despite these conditions.

Debbie: Completely, because I love swimming, but I would not be able to swim for that amount of time at all.

Katy: Yeah.

Debbie: But what I really did like what he said though was don’t give power to the curse. And actually

Katy: Yes, yes.

Debbie: That really made, because when I was editing it, I said something, beforehand, but then when he said that as actually, yeah, I don’t think I’m cursed with it, but obviously it’s just kind of a metaphor with it all. And I think that for me, that’s why I don’t like the word manage because to me, you are giving it power. You are managing it. And I don’t, and I just think it’s a more clinical.

Katy: So what word would you use? What do you think is a better

Debbie: Well, I haven’t come up with one word yet, but I, just think you have to like with everything you have to adapt and you have to be flexible. And it’s learning what works for you. Because I also think with the word manage, what works for you now is great. And if that works, brilliant. It may not work in the future. So you need to be able to adapt and to be flexible to then take that on board as well, to learn more things about it. Because I think every time we speak to a guest, I don’t know about you, but for me, I’m learning so much more.

Katy: God, yeah. Yeah.

Debbie: about how people do live with these conditions and actually is there something that I could, as you say, can take away for me to try and help me, again, it’s just going back to that word manage because I just think you’re giving power to it it’s

Katy: I don’t manage my condition. I live with my condition. Do you know, like and I don’t I try not to let it stop me doing things that I want to do.

Debbie: Exactly. Which is why I just learned to live my life and adapt really. Because I, you know, I always go back to saying, you know, even when you have a cold or a flu or you break your ankle, you have to adapt. So, it’s just having this condition that you just have to adapt to, but because it fluctuates as well, again, I think that’s why the manager don’t like that word because as you can flare for unknown reasons and you don’t know why. That restrictive with the management word, like I’ve done everything, why am I flaring? And I think that then makes you then think, gosh, what have I done? You’ve done nothing. Actually,

Katy: Yeah. No, I get that, yeah.

Debbie: We just flare and we don’t know why. So, but it could be very personal to me, which is why I don’t like that word, but I think it just feels very restrictive and you just learn every day.

Katy: It’s just used so much, isn’t it? Because I find myself saying it because I just hear and see it everywhere.

Debbie: Yeah, And it doesn’t take over my life though.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. You don’t yeah.

Debbie: As you say, we try to live well with these conditions. And some days we do it better than others.

Katy: I would just prefer to switch management with living.

Debbie: And everyone lives with it in different ways.

Katy: or let us know what you would prefer it to be called. Or do you like the word manage, you know? It’s quite good to understand.

Debbie: It could be a personal thing for me. I just don’t like that terminology. That’s all. But maybe that’s because I’ve had it for so long.

Katy: Yeah. Told to like to manage like, I don’t know, deal with it, manage it. Yeah. It’s quite yeah.

Debbie: Deal with it. Yeah.

Katy: I don’t particularly like the terminology of like self-management. yeah. But I don’t

Debbie: I hate that terminology. I really don’t like it.

Katy: It doesn’t like hugely offend me. But yeah, something better would be good.

Debbie: Yeah, just because I also think when you put self in it, it just feels like you’re isolated and you’re doing it on your own. And you’re not, you’ve got a whole community. And I think again, this is what’s shown with the podcast, which is probably why we got the award as well, is that we learn from each other all the time. but anyway, let’s move on shall we?

Katy: It’s a good little but I think these things are important because other people probably feel the same, but maybe you don’t feel like they can express their feelings. We’ve got the platform to express and and bring different kind of debates, ideas to the party. So we’ve got to use it.

Debbie: Yeah, that brings us in if you wanted to send us a voice note with actually what you prefer you can do that through our website as well or just send us any emails or comment on social media, Do you like the word manage or not? So yeah, we can continue talking about it. Maybe eventually we’ll come up with a new terminology.

Katy: And try and weave that into different things.

Debbie: Yeah. Yeah. Everything we’ll just slowly brainwash people, but we do have some amazing guests coming on as well, even though we’ve had Luke and we had Raj on the week before and he was brilliant as well. Both, sides of the coin. Very interesting.

Katy: Yeah. I know, I found it really, really interesting. both I think both have taught me lots of stuff, especially sort of Raj when he was talking a little bit more into sort of diet and gut health and things like that. That’s something I still want to take away and learn a little bit more myself.

Debbie: Yeah, because, and also Luke does that for his breakfast. That’s the one thing that he doesn’t change. And actually, yeah, I must admit, I’ve been having quite similar breakfast this week. I’ve run out of yoghurt, so I need to go shopping. But it’s just, yeah.

Katy: Yeah, I do overnight oats and I do with yogurt, honey and I try and mix in different nuts and fruit.

Debbie: Yeah, well, again, as you said last time, you start off on the right footing then, don’t you? For me, it always goes downhill after that, but at least you try.

Katy: Depends like by the end we do our shopping on a Monday, so by the end of the week, it’s like basically scrubling around for food.

Debbie: Yeah. I think it was interesting that actually both of them were talking about movement and opening doors, you know, when one door closes, another one opens because Raj did magic and then Luke played badminton and then got into swimming and talking about the nutrition side, because you EULAR doing a lot more. There’s a lot more research going into it. think so. Yeah.

Katy: Yeah. Yeah, because that’s the thing. There’s no actual nutrition specific research guidelines, is there? It’s just sort of evidence based and a bit anecdotal of what people know has worked for them. But again, because it’s also personal, something I would suggest is if you are keen, is just try different things and see what happens and find out what works for you. Try not to go orange from too much turmeric though.

Debbie: I know. It was yellow. His fingers went yellow. That was bizarre.

Katy: my favourite bit. it was yellow, not orange. That orange is the orange what was it called? Orangina? Do you remember that there was that orange drink? Was it in the nineties that turned everybody orange? Anyway, gone off on a tangent.

Debbie: if you haven’t listened to those episodes, please do. They are absolutely brilliant. very different. But then there was quite resonating themes throughout both of them. And one having Axial SpA one having JIA Yeah. how we dealt with that going through schooling as well, that was quite, again, not talking about it. One of the themes that come through.

Katy: It was, and I think for you it was probably maybe a bit triggering. I don’t know, in terms of, you know, having those hard school years, the fact that people don’t understand and I think it was really sad that he was bullied. I just think it’s really awful that that happens and, you’d hope it would make some of the children kind of a bit more sensitive and a bit more understanding if they’ve got a friend going through it, but kids can be awful sometimes, can’t they?

Debbie: I’ve blotted all my school years out because again, they weren’t the nicest. But then when he was talking, because he was roughly the same age as my daughter, I was thinking more about her and what she went through. actually, this is why I…worked in the charities and I’ve started this up is to try and get rid of those misconceptions about it. Because it isn’t an old person’s disease, children can get inflammatory arthritis and it’s really trying to raise that awareness and that’s what Luke is trying to do now as well, which is fantastic. And the more we talk about it against these podcasts, hopefully the more awareness we can that sort of talks goes on to, we are actually going to be having someone on talking about Raynaud’s as well. we had a bit of a discussion about how you pronounce it, but now we’ve worked out it’s Raynaud’s.

Katy: I’ve been pronouncing it wrong for about twenty five years. So

Debbie: Yes, but then also children can get that as well. it’s a disease that not many people talk about either. And so we’re having a lot more guests coming on, one with vasculitis as well, because there is an overlap with inflammatory arthritis, because these other conditions that can happen, you can get both. And they’ve really not talked about enough. And so we’re just, again, trying to highlight that these conditions are there, but they can be, again, I hate the word, but they can be managed. That’s the, that’s the healthcare word for them all. So, yeah, so we’ve got loads more coming on and yeah, so please do go back and listen to all our previous guests. They have been amazing. And again, a huge thank you for them for coming onto the podcast.

Katy: And listen to us as well. I think we’re good. Not just our guests. Yeah.

Debbie: Well, of course we’ve won an award, Katy. yeah. Yes. And we also have, there’s a new blog on our website as well under our new IA stories. There’s Julie Timmes and she talks about, I’ve never heard of CPPD arthritis. It’s made from crystals in your body, but really, really fascinating story. And then she’s going to be coming on the podcast again, talking about these conditions that no one really knows about. So yeah, yeah. So again,

Katy: That are really rare. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, ’cause I’d never ever heard of it.

Debbie:  No, I hadn’t as well. yeah, so our website is inflammatoryarthritis.org you can also sign up to our newsletter then you’ll get the most up to date information about the charity, the podcast, research opportunities and other online events as well. next week, Katy we have Simon Stones coming on talking about his JIA story and how he’s involved in so many things in the inflammatory arthritis world. But until next week, Katy, it’s goodbye.

Katy: Goodbye.