In this episode*, Dr. Elena shares her personal journey of balancing a demanding medical career with managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and vasculitis. She shares how she navigated her serious symptoms of RA and vasculitis while finishing her training to be a cardiologist, and describes the surreal experience of going from her cardiology clinic as a doctor to the ICU as a patient within 24 hours.
Elena also shares her favorite resources for living well with arthritis, including supportive footwear brands, arthritis gadgets, and inspirational books. Shes hares practical tips like finding the right shoes to support your joints, using dictation tools to reduce hand strain, and the importance of accepting that some pain may persist while still being able to live a fulfilling life.
Throughout the conversation, Dr Elena and Cheryl emphasize the value of prioritizing what's important and showing up for family, work, and health—even when symptoms make things challenging. If you're newly diagnosed with RA, this episode offers comforting, actionable advice and a reminder that you're not alone in navigating this journey.
DISCLAIMER FOR THIS EPISODE:
The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US Air Force, Department of Defense or the US Government*
Personal Challenges and Advice: Elena shares her experience with managing rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis and discusses practical tips for newly diagnosed individuals.
Useful Products and Tools: Cheryl and Elena discuss favorite footwear brands and how they impact daily comfort and highlight dictation software as a game-changer for writing tasks.
Living Well with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Elena emphasizes focusing on doing what's most important, even with some discomfort, to achieve a fulfilling life.
Inspirational Mantras: Elena shares her favorite motivational sayings and discusses how this perspective helps her manage daily challenges.
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.