Take a Pain Check

It started with blood clots in the lungs. If Tony waited a day or a couple of hours later, his story would’ve been very different. This week’s episode features Tony Sosa from Southern California who discusses his diagnosis with Lupus and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS). Due to his Lupus symptoms (the butterfly rash, joint pain and fatigue), Tony had to stop working in the fire fighting industry and his job in the kitchen. He quickly realized the importance of community support, as well as reading and learning about his diagnosis. Natasha discusses how she learned about her disease — through her parents — and how this process changed over the years. Natasha and Tony dive into their similarities in terms of the plant based lifestyle change they have both incorporated in their lives. Finally, Tony talks about the up sides of living with Lupus, specifically being able to give others hope about their disease through initiatives such as Take a Pain Check and the Lupus Foundation of Southern California.    

Next Joint Chat Rheum Session on Sunday, September 18th at 7pm EDT/4pm PDT:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regis... 

Check out Tony's socials:  Instagram: @a.sosa_ii   

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Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck  

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara 

On this week’s episode, Megan Tovar comes on the podcast to talk about her diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. She discusses how she was active in several ways, which led to a confusing path to diagnosis as the blame was assigned to other physical activities that she was involved in. Natasha and Megan discuss the difference between transition and rheumatology care in different geographical locations across North America. Moreover, the conversation progresses to talking about Megan’s impacted joints - her knees. She talks about her experience with draining fluid in her knees, as well as a knee scope. Additionally, Megan discusses the different lifestyle changes she has implemented throughout her journey, such as changing her mindset, eating habits, and focusing on fitness. Finally, Megan discusses her career as a fitness trainer and how she is constantly empowering people with arthritis to be active through her social media platforms and advocacy work.  

Next Joint Chat Rheum Session on Sunday, September 18th at 7pm EDT/4pm PDT:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regis... 

Check out Megan's socials:  Instagram: @itsmegzz_fitness  

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

“Managing my arthritis can be compared to being the mayor of a village” Sadiq told Natasha, on this week’s episode. Sadiq Jiwa, a 26 year old professional golf player from Vancouver, Canada currently on the road for the PGA tour. The conversation starts off with Sadiq’s diagnosis story at the age of six and what life was like being young with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Moreover, the comments from people in school as well as the emphasis of confusing growing pains with arthritis pains. As the discussions progresses, he talks about his journey moving from pediatric to adult care and the difference in care as well as his way of articulating his health. Being a professional golfer, Sadiq explains that he had to start learning pain management techniques from the beginning. Lastly, Natasha and Sadiq both discuss their work with the Arthritis Patient Advisory Board from Arthritis Research Canada and other smaller arthritis awareness groups to help spread awareness and share their stories about overcoming their adversities.

Sadiq's blog on TAPC: https://www.takeapaincheck.com/post/inflammation-and-intimacy

Arthritis Research Canada: https://www.arthritisresearch.ca/

Check out Sadiq's socials: Instagram: @jiwanator  

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara 

“Don’t say you're disabled” they said. These were comments Anna Samson received when they were using mobility aids to help them get through their daily tasks while living with a chronic illness. This week on Take a Pain Check, Anna Samson comes on the podcast to to talk about their life with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia as a 23 year old. They start off the conversation by talking about their initial symptoms and explaining the 4 year wait to get a diagnosis. After receiving a diagnosis, Anna talks about their experience finding resources to help them understand their own conditions. Moreover, Natasha and Anna discuss the benefits of physiotherapy. The conversation progresses to talking about disability in different settings, specifically the blue and red seats on the TTC subway. Throughout Anna’s journey, they learned how to advocate for themselves in a health care setting and how they become more confident. Not only did they have to talk about their symptoms, but they had to “get better at talking to people.” Finally, Anna explains their involvement in Take a Pain Check as an ambassador, as well as their work in Health Union.

Next Joint Chat Rheum Session on Tuesday, August 16th at 7pm EDT: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsc-CvqDMtEtdQYezlNi8gJhkW5roy5_TK

Self-Advocacy Live: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb5sHwVIC8P/

Makeup Live: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaQI5eBKKTG/

Health Union: https://www.instagram.com/healthunion/ 

Check out Anna's socials:  Instagram @chronicallyillxo TikTok @chronicallyillxo Twitter: @chronicallyillx  

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

During the pandemic, Haley and her boyfriend went to the grocery store and a few minutes later, she fell to the ground. On this week’s episode, Haley Crespo joins Natasha to discuss her journey with lupus and Evan’s syndrome. Haley starts off the episode by discussing how her boyfriend was her main support system through her diagnosis story. Consequently, Haley discusses her symptoms and how her lupus varies from others in the sense that it effects  only her blood. Natasha and Haley bond over not only Selena Gomez being an amazing lupus role model, but how they both don’t have the typical rheumatic disease symptoms, like a fever or rash. Additionally, Haley discusses her experiences being on blood thinners and the difference between the location of her injection including how that made her feel. She talks about growing up quickly and being given responsibilities from her parents once she was diagnosed. Finally, the episodes ends with Haley talking about her collaboration with Lupus Canada where she created her jewellery shop to raise awareness for Lupus Awareness Month this past May — Haley Made.

Check out Haley's socials: Instagram @haleymadeshop + TikTok @haleymadeshop

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

During the pandemic, Haley and her boyfriend went to the grocery store and a few minutes later, she fell to the ground. On this week’s episode, Haley Crespo joins Natasha to discuss her journey with lupus and Evan’s syndrome. Haley starts off the episode by discussing how her boyfriend was her main support system through her diagnosis story. Consequently, Haley discusses her symptoms and how her lupus varies from others in the sense that it effects  only her blood. Natasha and Haley bond over not only Selena Gomez being an amazing lupus role model, but how they both don’t have the typical rheumatic disease symptoms, like a fever or rash. Additionally, Haley discusses her experiences being on blood thinners and the difference between the location of her injection including how that made her feel. She talks about growing up quickly and being given responsibilities from her parents once she was diagnosed. Finally, the episodes ends with Haley talking about her collaboration with Lupus Canada where she created her jewellery shop to raise awareness for Lupus Awareness Month this past May — Haley Made.

Check out Haley's socials: Instagram @haleymadeshop + TikTok @haleymadeshop

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

Imagine being 30 and needing to plan your funeral while also planning your will. This is the exact experience Amanda Ishii had to go through a few years ago. On this week’s episode, Amanda discusses her journey living with Lupus, Crohn’s disease, Colon cancer and Multi Organ Dysfunction. Amanda explains her initial symptoms and jumps into the importance of social and mental support when it comes to dealing with a chronic illness. Moreover, Amanda brings up therapy, a resource that not only helped her by providing her someone to talk to but also is used by many people in all communities as a tool for support. As the episode progresses, Amanda discusses what life was like throughout college to present day with an ileostomy bag in social settings, while playing basketball and when travelling. Since a young age, basketball was a passion of hers. Even with a medical device, Amanda continues to pursue basketball professionally while knowing her limits; she is unstoppable. Finally, Natasha and Amanda end off the podcast episode by talking about a new initiative Amanda is starting up to supply 3rd world countries with medical and school supplies for free, The Mango House.

Check out Amanda's socials: Instagram: @haparae @themangohouse_cebu  

Sign up for the July Joint Chat Rheum Session: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ofuCspjsoGdduKrpgemnDZa1As6TvwYhL   

Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck

Devyn Nichols, a 14 year old content creator for Take a Pain Check, comes onto the podcast to discuss her diagnosis with undifferentiated Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. When talking about Devyn’s diagnosis journey, she brings up medical gaslighting to which led to her seeing many family doctors and rheumatologists. Natasha and Devyn discuss side effects they’ve experienced on Methotrexate and Prednisone, as well the insecurities that came alongside being teenage girls. Not only that, Devyn explains the struggle of having peers and school faculty not understanding that arthritis fluctuates, appointments can’t be on weekends and it's not “just joints that are sore sometimes but will go away”. From a young age, gymnastics was Devyn’s dream but soon after being diagnosed with arthritis she came to a realization that she had to let it go. With that in mind, Devyn mentions that letting go opened up a whole new world for her. Finally, they end the episode talking about Devyn becoming an arthritis advocate and discussing her involvement with Take a Pain Check, as well as her personal Instagram account @devs_jia_journey.  

5 minute video explaining JIA:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CTxoNO4g_DS/ 

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Devyn's socials: Instagram: devyn_nicholsss, devs_jia_journey  Tik-Tok: devyn_nichols   

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara 

On this week’s episode, Afshin Bhimani discusses her journey living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. She starts off by explaining her lengthy diagnosis process and how she felt during this time. Once she started to go to doctors to figure out what was wrong, she was unable to find a physician who took her seriously. Moving from India to the States, Afshin discusses the cultural changes that occurred in her life. Natasha and Afshin both bond over Indian culture and holistic approaches they’ve tried. They discussed what they thought caused their diagnoses’ and both predict that changes in environments were a trigger for both of them. Due to Afshin's disability, she has a service dog - Sammy - who has been a great support in her life. Afshin talks about her struggles with US healthcare, as well as the ups and downs she faced with the comments of others when she brought her service dog. They end off the podcast by talking about “Desi and Diseased,” Afshin’s website and Instagram that she uses to raise awareness for South Asians living with chronic conditions.  

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Afshin's socials: Instagram: desi.spoonie TikTok: solo.spoonie 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara

On this week’s episode, Aleina Margos joins Natasha to discuss her journey with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). Being diagnosed during the pandemic, Aleina starts off the episode by elaborating on her rheumatoid arthritis, including symptoms, topicals and  pill medications that she was prescribed at first. Aleina and Natasha discuss the affects of their medication, like discolouration and how they abstain from scratching the skin. Aleina elaborates about her diagnosis period and how she received a lack of support from her friend. The conversation progresses onto the bonding of costochondritis, as well as the confusion and struggle a patient experiences when they start experiencing other pains that might not actually be arthritis.  Finally, Aleina and Natasha shine light on the power of community via social media. Aleina expands on her own Instagram page, as well as her involvement in Patients Rising and being a TAPC ambassador.  

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast do not represent or reflect the official policy or position of the Take a Pain Check Foundation and podcast. All information shared is from personal experiences and does not constitute medical advice. We do not take responsibility for any statements expressed during the Podcast and Take a Pain Check does not endorse any products or services. Any said products or services mentioned on this podcast may not be suitable for you or your condition. Please consult with your physician if you have medical questions as it may pertain to your condition.

We've now launched the Joint Chat Rheum Program and our first session is on Sunday, May 29th at 4pm EST. If you're interested in hanging out with us and making friends with other youth with arthritis, you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/UEPfJSuc5ZSpbwpz8 

Aleina's Socials: Instagram - @arthriticaleina 

Check out our socials: 

Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.ca/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck 

Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara