You have a diagnosis and you're learning to manage daily life. What comes next? In the final episode of this series of The Sjö (pronounced "show"), host Shilpa Venkatachalam of the Global Healthy Living Foundation talks again with Dr. Dana DiRenzo, rheumatologist at Penn Medicine and member of the Penn Sjögren's Center, and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie. Together, they talk about how to take charge of your care.

Dr. DiRenzo describes what a good Sjögren's care team looks like. Melissa shares how she "interviews" her doctors, why she treats appointments like a meeting, and how she learned which symptoms are worth tracking.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Who belongs on your Sjögren's care team, and the role your rheumatologist plays• How to make the most of a short appointment by bringing your top 2–3 concerns, filling out symptom questionnaires, and sharing recent lab results• Where to find reliable information about Sjögren’s disease• What's happening in Sjögren's research and clinical trials, and why there's real reason for hope

Wherever you are in your journey, this episode will help you find the right partners, speak up for yourself, and know where to go from here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"What's happening to me?" It's often the first question people with Sjögren's ask, and it can take years to answer. In this first episode of The Sjö (pronounced "show"), host Shilpa Venkatachalam of the Global Healthy Living Foundation talks with rheumatologist Dr. Priya Reddy and patient advocate Melissa Taylor, known as Autoimmune Auntie, about what Sjögren's disease is and how it's diagnosed.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Sjögren's is, and why "it's more than dryness"• Common and less common signs to watch for• Why diagnosis often takes so long, and how to keep pushing for answers• How tracking your symptoms can help your doctor see the full picture• How Sjögren's is managed, and why there's real reason for hope

Whether you're newly diagnosed, still looking for answers, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a place to start. You're not alone.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.