Arthritis Life

Research, Resilience, and JIA: Dr. Kaleb’s Journey

Episode Summary

Imagine being told at age four that you likely wouldn’t live past age 21 due to severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Now, on the eve of his 50th birthday, Dr. Kaleb Michaud reflects on his incredible journey from a young arthritis patient to a PhD arthritis researcher.

Episode Notes

Through his experiences, Dr. Kaleb offers practical advice on navigating life with rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on self-management strategies like getting enough rest and using ergonomic tools.

He and Cheryl also dive into pain management, discussing evolving research on the potential benefits of cannabis. Dr. Kaleb’s personal insights into balancing work and life offer hope for finding purpose and joy despite the challenges of living with arthritis. Together, they emphasize the importance of living meaningfully through activities like board games, time with family, and staying connected to a supportive community.

Episode Themes:

• Personal Experiences and Resilience: Dr. Kaleb’s shares his personal journey with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, from diagnosis at age 3 to today.  
• Self-Management & Lifestyle: Cheryl & Dr. Kaleb discuss strategies for managing physical pain through ergonomic tools, proper footwear, and weight management.
• Importance of Sleep: The critical role of good sleep in managing chronic illness, including the impact of sleep apnea and the benefits of CPAP therapy.
• Managing a dual role of patient and researcher: Dr. Kaleb reflects on his decision to “go public” with his diagnosis of JIA after being known as an arthritis researcher, and discusses the pros and cons of sharing your story publicly
• Cannabis and Pain Management: The evolving research and patient experiences with cannabis as a tool for managing chronic pain, despite its legal and research limitations.
• Misinformation and Evidence-Based Care: The challenge of navigating biased or incomplete information about treatments and the importance of relying on evidence-based medicine.
• Arthritis Research and the Role of Learning from the Patient’s lived experience: Dr Kaleb explains the importance of the FORWARD databank.com for ongoing research to improve patient outcomes. 
• Entertainment and Personal Interests: The role of hobbies, such as board games and movies, in providing enjoyment and coping with chronic illness.

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.

For full episode details include a transcript and video:

Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website.