**Tentative Agenda**
10:00am – 10:30am
Opening Session
10:30am – 11:45am
Heart Health & Myositis
The heart is a muscle, so just as myositis causes inflammation in other muscles in the body, inflammation can also occur in the heart muscle. Recent research suggests that, in a myositis patient, the process of inflammation in the heart occurs in the same way it does in skeletal muscles. Other recent research findings have identified an antibody biomarker, antimitochondrial antibody (AMA), that is associated with severe heart disease in myositis patients. In this session, Dr. Paik will explore the cardiovascular challenges a myositis patient may face.
Exercise as Medicine
Whether you’re a novice, athlete or in between, an expert shares the important health benefits of exercise and the impact it can have on your myositis journey. This session will cover the research known about myositis and exercise, as well as how to start and maintain a program.
11:45am – 12:00pm
Break: Exhibitors & Networking
12:00pm – 1:15pm
Mental Health & Myositis
This session on improving your mental health will cover psychological therapies for people living with muscle disorders, with an emphasis on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Graham will also discuss his research on cognitive behavior therapy as it relates to those with long-term health conditions. This session will benefit anyone living with myositis, whether a patient, care partner, family member or friend.
Understanding & Managing Your Stress Response
This session is designed to help attendees understand their stress response from a neuroscience perspective. Practical tools for handling your stress levels will be provided. Attendees will be able to immediately implement skills learned to improve their overall well-being. This presentation will go deeper than a discussion on self-care.
1:15pm – 1:45pm
Lunch Break: Exhibitors & Networking
1:45pm – 3:00pm
Panel: Diversity in Clinical Trials
This panel will explore what is “diversity in clinical trials” and why this topic is relevant in myositis research and to the myositis community?
We will provide an overview on how diverse (or not) the clinical trials in the field of myositis have been so far.
What are our ongoing efforts to improve diversity in clinical trials?
How can our myositis community support a more inclusive research field in myositis?
3:00pm – 4:15pm
Cannabis & Myositis
Today, marijuana is being reevaluated on a cultural and legal level after being considered an illegal substance for decades. Recent research reports a majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use. As such, many states have legalized marijuana for either medical and recreational purposes, or both. This session will explain the difference between marijuana and CBD, as well as detail the benefits that patients may experience, such as reducing inflammation, managing pain, and other symptoms common with the myositis journey.
Myositis: Staying on Top of Your Illness and Finding Your Voice
Join this empowering session on how to find the best care, prepare for appointments, communicate with your doctor, and find good scientific information you can trust. Shawna will also discuss avoiding pitfalls, setting good limits with family and friends, speaking up for your medical needs, and getting the most out of TMA events, programs and services.
4:15pm – 4:30pm
Break: Exhibitors & Networking
4:30pm – 5:45pm
Nutrition & Myositis
Learn about the connection between autoimmune diseases like myositis and nutrition from a myositis patient and myositis expert. You’ll find practical tips for managing your nutrition and finding the right diet for your myositis.
Making Medications Accessible & Affordable
Medication and treatment should be a relief, not a burden. As drug costs continue to rise, drug manufacturers have designed ways to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for patients. Manufacturer copay assistance programs help insured patients afford expensive prescription drugs by covering part or all of a member’s deductible and copay for certain medications. This session will spotlight co-pay assistance programs to help ease the overall financial burden on families living with myositis.
5:45pm – 6:00pm
Closing Session