Surviving Summer with Inflammatory Arthritis

We are back and catch up after a long summer break, coveringflare‑ups, heatwaves, medication changes, travel worries, and the realities of navigating adult rheumatology care. We share our personal stories about symptom management, the chaos of hot weather, tube journeys, nutrition experiments, andthe challenges of everyday tasks when joints misbehave. We also tease upcoming episodes featuring Dr Raj (Axial SpA), English Channel swimmer Luke Belfield, and experts on Raynaud’s, hypermobility, PMRGCA, GCA, nutrition, and more.Plus, news on new peer‑support groups, online events, and the upcoming listener survey.

Key topics

• Summer health challenges, flares, heat sensitivity and symptom changes

• Medication routines, dose changes, delays in care, and navigating NHS systems
• Transitioning from paediatric to adult rheumatology care
• Travel planning with IA and medication limitations
• Stories from the community, including people coming off medication and flaring
• Heatwaves, humidity, and the joy (or horror) of public transport
• Upcoming guest episodes: Axial SpA, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, endurance swimming
• Raynaud’s, hypermobility, PMRGCA, GCA why they matter and what’s coming
• Nutrition, food diaries, portion control, and realistic lifestyle tweaks
• Everyday challenges: brushing teeth, gripping tools, managing fatigue
• IAUK updates: peer support groups, newsletter, social media, YouTube episodes, upcoming survey

Key wordsinflammatory arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, medication flare, summer heat symptoms, NHS, care transition, adult clinic, travel health,Raynaud’s, hypermobility, PMRGCA giant cell arteritis, nutrition, portion control, lifestyle management, chronic illness, community support, IAUK

Resources Mentioned

• Peer Support Group (Birmingham & Dudley) – see inflammatoryarthritis.org  
• IAUK Newsletter – sign up at inflammatoryarthritis.org
• IAUK Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube
• Upcoming Episodes – Dr Raj (Axial SpA), Luke Belfield (English Channel swim), Raynaud’s specialist, Fibromyalgia UK, Hypermobility experts, PMRGCA/GCA discussions, nutrition specialist

Connect with us

Stay part of the IAUK community, follow, subscribe, and join the conversation. Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sign up for the newsletter for event updates, new resources, and the upcoming listener survey.

Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medical professionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys, and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content. For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/