Patient PrepRheum is a new podcast series hosted by Naomi Creek, who has lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis for nearly 40 years. Naomi speaks with fellow patients and renowned doctors to explore important and often-misunderstood aspects of living with autoimmune arthritis and related conditions in Australia. Feel empowered as you listen to interesting, relevant topics that will further your understanding and make your disease journey a smoother one.

Hi I’m Naomi Creek and welcome to Patient PrepRheum - a podcast exploring important and often misunderstood aspects of living with autoimmune arthritis and related conditions here in Australia. 

Transcript

I’ll be speaking with fellow patients and renowned doctors to help gain a better understanding of some of the less talked about topics of managing these diseases.

I’ve lived with rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 40 years. Being diagnosed at just 12 years of age, it’s safe to say I know a lot about RA.

I’ve experienced the highs and lows, the setbacks and the wins on my journey towards living well with this complex, difficult condition. I want to help you gain confidence, to take charge of your own health and make the road ahead a smoother one.

Since 2015 I’ve been the National Coordinator of CreakyJoints Australia. Our non-profit organisation, which is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, supports Australia’s arthritis patient community with updated education, support, advocacy and research. We are also part of the worldwide CreakyJoints network with millions of patients and carers who want to live their lives despite their conditions.

At CreakyJoints Australia we are on a mission to raise awareness and deepen the collective understanding of arthritis, a disease which has more than 200 variations. Our efforts focus on empowering patients, to put themselves at the centre of their own health, to vocalise their health care preferences and work closely with healthcare providers.

To kick off our Patient PrepRheum series we’ll be looking into three key areas in the medical field:

• Biosimilars - a group of biologic medications used to slow and stop the progression of autoimmune arthritis;
• How medications are approved via the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and
• The importance of good patient/doctor communication.

We’ll hear stories from patients who have experienced real life-changing breakthroughs in treatment, along with the inevitable hurdles that are all too familiar with managing these conditions. In each episode we’ll also get the medical and legal perspectives, hearing from healthcare professionals and key players working in these fields.

Join me on my quest, to expand my understanding of arthritis and to learn more about the treatment options available. Together, we’ll gain all the tools necessary to be ready for the journey ahead.

Patient PrepRheum is brought to you by Creak Joints Australia. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.