Remission Possible

2025 ACR Lupus Guidelines Uncovered: What Every Patient Should Know

In this episode of Remission Possible, we break down what the 2025 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) lupus treatment guidelines really mean for people living with lupus beyond the clinical language. Host Dr. Shilpa Venkatachalam is joined by rheumatologist Dr. Ashira Blazer, Co-Director of the Lupus Center at the University of Maryland and a Board Member of the Lupus Foundation of America, along with lupus advocates Estela and Juana Mata of Looms for Lupus, for a powerful, patient-centered conversation. Together, they explore why reducing long-term steroid use matters, how and when to escalate treatment, and why shared decision-making is now central to lupus care. From managing symptoms and treatment side effects to addressing access barriers, health equity, and the role of caregivers, this episode puts lived experience at the heart of the guidelines. Above all, the message is clear: your voice matters. These guidelines are not something done to patients, they are meant to be used with patients, equipping you with the tools you need to advocate for the care that fits your goals, your life, and your health. Contact Our Host Shilpa Venkatachalam, Chief Patient Centered Research and Ethical Oversight Officer at GHLF: svenky@ghlf.org [svenky@ghlf.org]. A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments or questions to podcasts@ghlf.org [podcasts@ghlf.org] Remission Possible is a podcast series produced by the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation, its arthritis patient community CreakyJoints, and this episode was made possible with support from AstraZeneca. Learn more at ghlf.org/remission-possible/ [https://ghlf.org/remission-possible/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ep. 6- Natasha's Journey to Patient Advocacy Living with Arthritis

In this episode, we speak with Natasha Trehan, a Canadian undergraduate student and passionate advocate for youth and young adults living with inflammatory arthritis and other chronic conditions. Natasha shares her personal journey from diagnosis to finding her own voice and becoming a voice for others, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making in health care and treatment. She discusses the challenges of balancing medication goals with personal life goals, the significance of self-advocacy, and how her organization, Take a Pain Check, empowers young people with rheumatic diseases. Join us as Natasha reveals her strategies for maintaining hope in achieving low disease activity, and inspiring others on their path to achieving better health outcomes. Contact Our Host Adam Kegley, Associate Director, Global Partnerships at GHLF: akegley@ghlf.org [akegley@ghlf.org]  A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments or questions to podcasts@ghlf.org [podcasts@ghlf.org] Remission Possible is a podcast series produced by the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation, its arthritis patient community CreakyJoints, and this episode was made possible with support from AbbVie. Learn more at ghlf.org/remission-possible/ [https://ghlf.org/remission-possible/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Audio Guide: Tips for Achieving Optimal Disease Control

In this audio guide, Dr. Ogdie and Dr. Mease discuss uncontrolled disease in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and provide practical advice on collaborating with your doctor to ensure you achieve the best possible disease control. This guide is designed to give patients the knowledge they need to better navigate their treatment journey and feel their very best. Meet the Team Host: Angela Degrassi, Senior Manager of Patient-Centered Research Operations & Engagement at GHLF. A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director of Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. These episodes of Remission Possible are produced by the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation, its arthritis patient community CreakyJoints, and made possible with support from AbbVie. Our podcasts and audio guides are for educational purposes only and shouldn’t take the place of medical advice. The statements of the health care professionals are based on the personal clinical experiences of the physicians. Always talk to your own doctor about the right path for you. AbbVie Inc. in partnership with GHLF are the sole authors and copyright owners of this presentation. AbbVie and GHLF are solely responsible for all written and oral content within this presentation. © 2024 AbbVie Inc. All rights reserved. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org [podcasts@ghlf.org]  Learn more at ghlf.org/remission-possible/ [https://ghlf.org/remission-possible/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Achieving Optimal Disease Control: Managing PsA and AxSpA

Join us for a timely discussion on the importance of achieving optimal disease control for people living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We’ll talk with leading rheumatologists Dr. Mease and Dr. Ogdie, who will be presenting research on this topic at this year’s European Alliance for Associations for Rheumatologist (EULAR). They will discuss the real-world burden of uncontrolled disease despite treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. Plus, hear from a patient with PsA who shares how switching to another therapy helped improve her condition. This episode provides patient and provider tips on best practices for shared decision-making so you or someone you love can best manage PsA or axSpA. Meet the Team Host: Angela Degrassi, Senior Manager of Patient-Centered Research Operations & Engagement at GHLF. A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director of Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. These episodes of Remission Possible are produced by the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation, its arthritis patient community CreakyJoints, and made possible with support from AbbVie. Our podcasts and audio guides are for educational purposes only and shouldn’t take the place of medical advice. The statements of the health care professionals are based on the personal clinical experiences of the physicians. Always talk to your own doctor about the right path for you. AbbVie Inc. in partnership with GHLF are the sole authors and copyright owners of this presentation. AbbVie and GHLF are solely responsible for all written and oral content within this presentation. © 2024 AbbVie Inc. All rights reserved. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org [podcasts@ghlf.org]  Learn more at ghlf.org/remission-possible/ [https://ghlf.org/remission-possible/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ep. 5- Thinking of the Whole Person, Not Just the Disease with Dr. Irene Blanco

Rheumatologist Dr. Irene Blanco is the Director of Lupus Clinical Services at Northwestern in Chicago, Illinois. At Northwestern Medicine, her research interests focus on health outcomes, health disparities, and adverse social determinants of health in rheumatology, particularly in systemic lupus erythematosus. Join Dr. Blanco as she sheds light on how for a long time there were different definitions of what lupus looks like, and how it is now more defined. Listen as she talks about how lupus can manifest differently in each patient, the key lab numbers patients should be aware of, and the importance of working together with your doctor to reach remission. Among the highlights in this episode: 02:33: Dr. Irene Blanco shares her personal and professional journey in focusing on lupus, influenced by her aunt's experience and her exposure to lupus in medical school 04:25: Dr. Blanco discusses the lack of awareness and understanding of lupus among patients and communities 06:34: Dr. Blanco explains the concept of remission and low disease activity in lupus, shedding a light on the importance of setting clear standards and targets for lupus treatment 09:55: Dr. Blanco outlines specific measures used to assess remission in lupus patients, including the SLEDAI score and stable immunosuppression 12:16: Dr. Blanco advises patients to become familiar with their lab numbers and to communicate changes in their health to their doctors 14:46: Dr. Blanco shares findings from her research on health disparities affecting lupus patients, particularly those from minority and low-income backgrounds 17:45: Dr. Blanco discusses the need to train health care providers to address the psychosocial issues faced by lupus patients 19:20: Dr. Blanco explains how she and her team proactively address patients' social determinants of health and coordinate multidisciplinary care 22:06: Dr. Blanco emphasizes the importance of not giving up and seeking support Contact Our Host Adam Kegley, Associate Director, Global Partnerships at GHLF: akegley@ghlf.org [akegley@ghlf.org]  A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments or questions to podcasts@ghlf.org [podcasts@ghlf.org]   Remission Possible is a podcast series produced by the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation and its arthritis patient community CreakyJoints. This episode was made possible with support from AstraZeneca. Learn more at ghlf.org/remission-possible/ [https://ghlf.org/remission-possible/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.