Once you have a diagnosis, a new question comes up: how do you live with Sjögren's every day? In this episode of The Sjö (pronounced "show"), host Shilpa Venkatachalam of the Global Healthy Living Foundation talks with Dr. Dana DiRenzo, Chief of Rheumatology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and a member of the Penn Sjögren's Center, and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie.

In Episode 2 of The Sjö, Melissa Taylor and rheumatologist Dr. Dana DiRenzo talk about daily life with Sjögren's, from dryness and brain fog to mental health, and how to partner with your doctor to get your life back.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How dryness can affect your whole body, and which specialists can help• Why it's important to discuss tough topics like teeth, body image, and intimacy.• How to describe fatigue and pain more specifically, such as mental vs. physical fatigue• When to seek mental health support, including therapy and support groups• How to work with your doctor as a partner, starting with 2–3 goals for your next visit

If Sjögren's has made you feel like you've lost control of your life, this conversation offers practical tips and a reminder that invisible symptoms are still very real.

Get ready for your next appointment with our free guide, "Tips for Talking with Your Doctor about Sjögren's"

Track your symptoms between appointments with PatientSpot

Find more Sjögren's resources at https://CreakyJoints.org/Sjogrens

The Sjö song was created with the assistance of Suno AI.

This podcast was made possible with support from Novartis. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

A podcast series produced by Amelia Violet Prouse.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Once you have a diagnosis, a new question comes up: how do you live with Sj&ouml;gren's every day? In this episode of The Sj&ouml; (pronounced "show"), host Shilpa Venkatachalam of the Global Healthy Living Foundation talks with Dr. Dana DiRenzo, Chief of Rheumatology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and a member of the Penn Sj&ouml;gren's Center, and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie.
In Episode 2 of The Sj&ouml;, Melissa Taylor and rheumatologist Dr. Dana DiRenzo talk about daily life with Sj&ouml;gren's, from dryness and brain fog to mental health, and how to partner with your doctor to get your life back.
In this episode, you'll learn:
&bull; How dryness can affect your whole body, and which specialists can help&bull; Why it's important to discuss tough topics like teeth, body image, and intimacy.&bull; How to describe fatigue and pain more specifically, such as mental vs. physical fatigue&bull; When to seek mental health support, including therapy and support groups&bull; How to work with your doctor as a partner, starting with 2&ndash;3 goals for your next visit
If Sj&ouml;gren's has made you feel like you've lost control of your life, this conversation offers practical tips and a reminder that invisible symptoms are still very real.
Get ready for your next appointment with our free guide, <a href="https://creakyjoints.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Sjogrens-Tips-Tools-Talking-Points-final.pdf">"Tips for Talking with Your Doctor about Sj&ouml;gren's"</a>
Track your symptoms between appointments with <a href="https://patientspot.org/">PatientSpot</a>
Find more Sj&ouml;gren's resources at <a href="https://creakyjoints.org/Sjogrens">https://CreakyJoints.org/Sjogrens</a>
The Sj&ouml; song was created with the assistance of Suno AI.
This podcast was made possible with support from Novartis. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
A podcast series produced by Amelia Violet Prouse.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>

The Sjö (pronounced "show") is a podcast from the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints for anyone living with, caring for, or trying to understand Sjögren's disease. Host Shilpa Venkatachalam talks with rheumatologists Dr. Priya Reddy and Dr. Dana DiRenzo and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie. Together, they share the medical facts and the real-life experience of living with Sjögren's. Each episode answers a question many patients ask, with practical tips you can use right away.

Made possible with support from Novartis. For educational purposes only; not medical advice. 

The Sj&ouml; (pronounced "show") is a podcast from the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints for anyone living with, caring for, or trying to understand Sj&ouml;gren's disease. Host Shilpa Venkatachalam talks with rheumatologists Dr. Priya Reddy and Dr. Dana DiRenzo and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie. Together, they share the medical facts and the real-life experience of living with Sj&ouml;gren's. Each episode answers a question many patients ask, with practical tips you can use right away.
Made possible with support from Novartis. For educational purposes only; not medical advice.&nbsp;

The Sjö

The Sjö (pronounced "show") is a podcast from the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints for anyone living with, caring for, or trying to understand Sjögren's disease. Host Shilpa Venkatachalam talks with rheumatologists Dr. Priya Reddy and Dr. Dana DiRenzo and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie. Together, they share the medical facts and the real-life experience of living with Sjögren's. Each episode answers a question many patients ask, with practical tips you can use right away. 

Find more Sjögren's resources at https://CreakyJoints.org/Sjogrens  

The Sjö song was created with the assistance of Suno AI. 

Made possible with support from Novartis. For educational purposes only; not medical advice. 

The Sj&ouml; (pronounced "show") is a podcast from the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints for anyone living with, caring for, or trying to understand Sj&ouml;gren's disease. Host Shilpa Venkatachalam talks with rheumatologists Dr. Priya Reddy and Dr. Dana DiRenzo and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie. Together, they share the medical facts and the real-life experience of living with Sj&ouml;gren's. Each episode answers a question many patients ask, with practical tips you can use right away.&nbsp;
Find more Sj&ouml;gren's resources at <a href="https://creakyjoints.org/Sjogrens">https://CreakyJoints.org/Sjogrens</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Sj&ouml; song was created with the assistance of Suno AI.&nbsp;
Made possible with support from Novartis. For educational purposes only; not medical advice.&nbsp;