Arthritis Life
What’s it like to be a Teenager with Juvenile Arthritis?
Episode Summary
In this episode, 18 year-old Natasha Trehan shares her journey from a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age 13 to founding the nonprofit Take a Pain Check in 2021.
Episode Notes
Natasha and Cheryl discuss her treatment journey, how her social life was affected by JIA, the importance of diet and stress management in her treatment plan, and why Natasha formed the nonprofit Take a Pain Check.
Episode at a glance:
- Natasha’s diagnosis story and early experiences with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Different treatments Natasha has tried, including steroid joint injections, methotrexate, biologic medications, nutrition and dietary changes, Ayurvedic medicine, meditation and other lifestyle changes
- How Natasha’s mother helped support and advocate for her when it felt like “nothing was working” in her treatment plan
- How Natasha navigates peer pressure to drink
- Ways Natasha manages stress while living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- The importance of cultural representation and what it means for Natasha to see other South Asian people in the chronic illness community
- Things that bring Natasha joy, including singing
- Natasha’s inspiration for forming the nonprofit Take a Pain Check
- The importance of patient involvement in research and advocacy
Episode Sponsor
Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.
Episode links:
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.
Transcript: go to MyArthritisLife.Net for full episode details and a transcript.