In this episode, Naomi is joined by two patients. Kay Boucker is from New South Wales and was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2013. Kay lived with psoriasis for many years before experiencing other symptoms like fatigue, tendon pain and uveitis. She said it took her GP a long time to be convinced about her PsA symptoms but she was finally referred to a rheumatologist. Kay also lives with type 2 diabetes and depression and says singing is her happy pill for helping her through life’s challenges.
Naomi’s second guest is Andrea McMahon from South Australia. Andrea was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome and fibromyalgia in 2010. Then, four years ago, she presented to her rheumatologist with new symptoms of splitting nails and lower back pain. Shortly after that she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. The ups and downs in her journey have taught her patience, pacing and resilience. Andrea remains optimistic for her future and continues her life with as much activity as she can.
Kay, Andrea and Naomi share their experiences and insights on managing psoriatic arthritis and living with chronic illnesses. They emphasise the importance of lifestyle factors, seeking knowledge, and finding support systems. Kay and Andrea discuss the impact of their conditions on their daily life, while offering practical advice and personal anecdotes to help others navigate the challenges of living with chronic conditions.
This second season of Patient PrepRheum is produced by the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation, its arthritis patient community CreakyJoints Australia, and made possible with support from UCB Australia.
For more information, visit the CreakyJoints Australia website.
