Take a Pain Check

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha is joined by the inspiring Sahara as she shares her journey of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. They dive into the challenges of getting a diagnosis amid uncertainty, navigating university while managing a chronic illness, and finding the right resources for understanding RA.Sahara opens up about how her south Asian background influenced h...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha sits down with Brandon Volesky to explore his journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)—from being diagnosed at just two years old to navigating the challenges of childhood, overcoming stigma, and adapting his mindset to thrive as a husband, father, and professional. Brandon shares how his fear of medication affected his condition, how he ultimately embraced treatment, and how he...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, host Natasha welcomes Stella Miller to share her journey with Juvenile Arthritis. Stella opens up about her early symptoms, the challenges of receiving a diagnosis, and the impact of medications like methotrexate and Orencia. She reflects on navigating friendships, advocating for her needs, and the support system that has helped her along the way. Stella also discusses the emotional toll of ste...

In this week’s Take a Pain Check episode, we’re joined by Abigail Meyers, who shares her journey of living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and Cerebral Palsy. Abigail opens up about the challenges of receiving a diagnosis, navigating symptoms, and overcoming medical gaslighting. We dive into the emotional and social impact of growing up with a chronic illness, her passion for theatre and writing, and how she balances these...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha chats with Carroll Meilleur, an advocate for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and senior member of True North Disability Services. Carroll shares her journey from dentistry to advocacy, discussing DTC eligibility, benefits, misconceptions, application tips, and support for individuals with rheumatic diseases. She highlights the importance of advocacy, shares success stories, and offers p...

In this week’s episode of Take a Pain Check, Kate Bourne shares her powerful journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), discussing the 12-year delay in her diagnosis and the profound impact it had on her confidence, mobility, and academic life. Kate reflects on the emotional toll of not having answers for so long, navigating school and daily life with unexplained symptoms. She also highlights her passion for research, focusing on a...

In this milestone 100th episode, Natasha sits down with her siblings, Natalia and Nikhil, to reveal the raw, real, and unfiltered moments behind living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. From the first signs of JIA to the highs and lows of family life, this episode unveils how her siblings stood by her side, the unexpected challenges they faced together, and how JIA transformed each of their lives. Discover the secrets to strong f...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we sit down with Shanesha Scott, who shares her inspiring journey with polymyositis. Shanesha opens up about her diagnosis, treatment challenges, and how she navigates the emotional and physical changes brought on by her condition. We discuss her work as an industrial and organizational psychologist and the impact of workplace dynamics on employee morale and success. Shanesha also talks about h...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha sits down with Kent Messner, who shares his inspiring journey of living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from childhood to adulthood. Kent discusses his early diagnosis, the challenges he faced using crutches during middle and high school, and the impact of bullying on his self-esteem. He reflects on his time in a rehabilitation center, his pursuit of education, including an undergraduate...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check; Sharan Singh shares her journey of living with multiple chronic illnesses, including Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, and others. Sharan delves into her diagnosis story, detailing the symptoms that led her to seek help, her experiences with Western and regenerative medicine, and the impact these treatments have had on her quality of life. She also opens up about the challenges of m...

Joel Nelson, a passionate advocate in the rheumatic disease community, shares his journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) on the podcast. He discusses the challenges of obtaining a diagnosis and the importance of self-advocacy, especially from a young age. He reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of medication trials and their effects on mental health, emphasizing the stigma surrounding both physical and mental aspects o...

Join us for this week’s episode of Take a Pain Check as we welcome Michelle Murchison, who shares her inspiring journey with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). Michelle opens up about her diagnosis story, the challenges she faced with doctors, and the array of medications and surgeries she underwent. She reflects on her childhood experiences, navigating life with a chronic illness, and the impact of nutrition, lifestyle, and horm...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we are joined by Ella Rabin, who shares her journey with Juvenile Arthritis (JA). Ella introduces herself, discussing her education, hobbies, and future aspirations. She details her diagnosis story, including the initial symptoms and changes over time, and speaks about her family history with arthritis, particularly her mother's experience. Ella emphasizes the importance of a strong support...

This week’s podcast episode features Carissa Peck, who discusses her journey with mixed connective tissue disorder, encompassing lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The conversation begins with Carissa’s introduction and background, followed by her diagnosis story, including initial symptoms and their progression. Carissa shares her experiences with various treatments, from medications to other treatments. She describes managing f...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Amanda Chay discusses her journey with lupus and Sjogren's, sharing the challenges of getting diagnosed, advocating for herself, and the emotional impact of learning about and accepting her chronic illnesses. She highlights the importance of a strong support system, effective doctor-patient relationships, and the role of medications. Amanda also talks about maintaining an active lifestyle, ...

EIn this episode of Take a Pain Check, host Natasha introduces Emily Wahl, who bravely shares her journey living with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), Sjogren’s syndrome, Lupus, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, and FSGS. Emily candidly discusses her diagnosis story, recounting childhood experiences with arthritis and the challenges of managing various medications. She reflects on how her health conditions influenced her career ...

In this week's episode of Take a Pain Check, Carin Lin joins as a guest to share her journey as a parent of a child with Kawasaki Disease (KD), focusing on her son Isaiah's experience. Carin recounts Isaiah's diagnosis story, shedding light on the symptoms that led them to seek medical attention and the challenges they faced during the diagnosis process. The discussion delves into what Kawasaki Disease is, its sympt...

Welcome back to this week's episode of Take a Pain Check! Today, I'm thrilled to have Delane Linkiewich with us, sharing her journey with chronic pain and the incredible insights she's gained along the way. Delane opens up about her experiences, from the car accident that started it all to the psycho-social impacts she's navigated. We delve into the various physical therapies she's tried, her medication regimen,...

In this week's episode of Take a Pain Check, we welcome Ayesha as our special guest, sharing her incredible journey of diagnosis, advocacy, and touching moments of kindness. Ayesha recounts her initial symptoms that led her to seek medical help, navigating a complex medication regimen, and the ups and downs of her health journey. She reflects on her determination during her undergraduate years, the challenges of planning a wedd...