In this heartfelt episode, Debbie and Katy reflect on recent personal experiences, listener feedback, and plans for the future as they wrap up the podcast season for a short summer break.

Topics Discussed:

• Coping with Heat & Chronic Illness
• Katy shares a stressful experience with her son falling ill from the heat, leading to missed plans and increased physical symptoms. Both hosts reflect on how extreme weather and heat exacerbate chronic conditions like inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia, including the emotional and physical toll. They also cover community responses from Instagram on weather-related symptom changes and coping strategies.
• Symptom Management & Support
• Katy describes how distraction helped her cope with wrist pain, while Debbie talks about medication access issues and the challenge of identifying whether symptoms stem from arthritis, fibromyalgia, or both. 
• Mental Health & Chronic Conditions
• The hosts revisit the strong listener response to their mental health-focused episode, Episode 5 You’re not alone, highlighting the blurred lines between physical and emotional well-being. They emphasise how living with a chronic illness often affects mental health.
• Summer Break & Future Plans
• Debbie and Katy announce a summer pause for the podcast to recharge, plan future episodes, secure funding, and create outreach materials. They reflect on how much the podcast and charity has grown since launch and the impact it’s had on their community.
• Holiday Plans & Chronic Illness Realities
• The hosts share their personal holiday preferences and how inflammatory arthritis still “tags along,” affecting travel plans and energy levels. From city breaks to cruises, they discuss balancing relaxation with the unpredictability of symptoms.
• Spreading Awareness
• They invite listeners to help raise awareness by sharing posters and materials about the podcast and charity in their local communities, hospitals, and libraries.

Stay Connected:

Follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blue Sky. Visit inflammatoryarthritis.org for updates, newsletters, and ways to support the cause.

Until Next Time:

This isn’t goodbye, just a “see you soon.” The podcast will return in September with new stories, guests, and conversations to continue supporting those living with inflammatory arthritis.

Disclaimer: 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/

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