In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I'm joined by my friend and integrative medicine colleague, Dr. Saimun Singla — a pediatric rheumatologist who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis only after becoming a full-fledged rheumatologist herself.
We dig into the real differences between juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and adult RA, why even doctors miss their own diagnoses, and how she blends Western medicine with diet, supplements, and mind-body therapy to get kids (and adults) into remission.
Chapters and Time-Stamps
00:37 Meet Dr Saimun Singla
01:46 JIA vs RA Explained
03:26 Spotting JIA in Toddlers
05:28 Her Postpartum RA Diagnosis
08:23 When Treatments Keep Failing
11:49 Finding Remission and Reading Flares
13:12 Integrative Treatment Approach
15:28 Symptoms and Differential Diagnosis
18:48 Pediatric Only Conditions CRMO
21:13 When Families Fear Meds
23:14 Treat Early Remission
23:48 Prevent Permanent Damage
25:04 Risks Benefits Middle Ground
25:32 Not Forever Meds
26:36 Complementary Clinic Tools
27:54 Supplements For Kids
29:52 Best Diet Basics
32:47 Mind Body Regulation
34:50 Mind Body For Kids
36:10 Vagus Nerve And VR
38:00 Remarkable Recovery Story
40:06 Final Advice And Contact
Key Takeaways:
- JIA vs RA: under 16 = JIA (7 subtypes), 16+ = RA, even though joint patterns differ
- Dr. Singla's own RA diagnosis came a year after she became an attending — proof doctors make the worst patients
- Fatigue and morning hand stiffness were her first red flags, easily dismissed as postpartum exhaustion
- CRMO is a pediatric-only bone condition that can mimic infection and later evolve into ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis
- Treatment isn't just medication — sleep, stress, and micronutrients (vitamin D, iron) fuel or calm inflammation
- The Mediterranean/anti-inflammatory diet has the strongest evidence; elimination + reintroduction personalizes it further
- Mind-body medicine = nervous system regulation; for kids that means play therapy, guided imagery, and breathwork, not adult meditation
- Vagus nerve stimulation and VR breathing tools are growing in popularity, especially for teens
- Biologics aren't forever — the goal is lowest effective dose, or none, once remission is reached
- Untreated inflammation carries long-term risk: heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, not just joint damage
About Dr. Saimun Singla:
Pediatric rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician treating autoimmune and chronic illness in children and young adults. Diagnosed with RA after becoming an attending rheumatologist, she brings a rare dual lens — physician and patient — to her work. Founder and CEO of Rheum to Grow, a naturally-minded, scientifically-grounded practice in Houston, TX blending Western and Eastern medicine.
Connect with Dr. Singla:
Website: rheumtogrowtx.com (book a free 15-min call)
Instagram/Facebook/TikTok/YouTube: @rheumtogrowtxAbout Your Hosts
Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP
Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.
Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.
About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast
Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy
AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.
Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy
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