What Doesn’t Kill Me Audio Podcast

What Doesn't Kill Me - Fibromyalgia and Migraines - Ep 7 Audio Heather Gibson

Heather suffers from both fibromyalgia and migraines. She gives us a very personal and enlightening interview on how she has been able to live a full life in spite of both chronic pain conditions. This interview is filled with great advice, many examples of how to advocate for yourself as a patient and insights into alternative treatments.

What Doesn't Kill Me - Preparing for Surgery - Ep 6 Audio Meg Q.

This episode Meg Quinlisk details expert advice on how to prepare for an upcoming surgery. Meg has had over 45 surgeries and is therefore able to offer first hand advice on the best ways to ensure your surgery is a success. Because it is from a patient's perspective you will hear practical tips on everything from finding the right surgeon/specialist, questions to ask your surgical team, tips on what to eat and drink prior to surgery, pain medication side effects and withdrawal symptoms, the importance of home health aides, exercise and diet in your recovery. This will be part of a series all based on her experience with ensuring a successful surgery.

What Doesn't Kill Me - Parkinson's Disease - Ep 5 Audio Connie Colon

Parkinson's disease a neurodegenerative disease that impacts the part of the brain that produces dopamine which causes a vast array of symptoms such as tremors, involuntary movements, stiffness, pain, balance problems, memory loss and cognitive problems. Connie shares her early onset journey with Parkinson's all while offering advice, guidance and hope.
00:40 Insights offered for this episode.
01:04 Who is Connie Colon?
05:22 What is Parkinson's Disease?
06:00 Invisible symptoms
10:58 Who are the specialists to see for Parkinson's?
15:50 What are the many visible and invisible symptoms?
23:40 Highlight on the invisible symptoms
23:42 Online classes offered free by Parkinson's Place
24:20 Pain is amplified by Parkinson's.
26:38 More symptoms along with the differences between support group vs Facebook groups
32:24 The importance of modifications and adaptations.
34:40 Foods known to improve Dopamine levels
38:56 Treatments that have helped Connie.
41:03 Prescription assistance programs, the PAN41 program
48:38 Importance of asking for support and help
49:40 The stereotypes to be aware of and what not to say to patients.
54:12 Best advice from Connie
59:20 What doesn't kill me - Connie's response

What Doesn't Kill Me - Pudendal Neuropathy - Ep 4 Audio Kelly Kean

Kelly shares her personal story of suffering with Pudendal Neuropathy. A condition that causes chronic pelvic pain due to damage or irritation to your pudendal nerve. The pain is a burning, stabbing or shooting type pain which can be felt in your buttocks, perineum and genital region. It is more severe when sitting.
00:00 Podcast Intro
00:38 Kelly's Episode Insights
01:46 Who is Kelly Kean, what is here background
04:53 Kelly explains Pudendal Neuropathy
16:11 Successful surgical and medication options
31:13 Successful alternative treatment options and coping skills
28:53 Newest research and treatments for nerve pain
42:40 Redefining success in your life
42:55 What is the best way to ask for help from family and friends
47:30 What not to say to Kelly regarding her pain
55:28 What Kelly motivated
57:31 The biggest lessons she's learned about herself as a result of this pain
01:37 Advice she wish someone had given her when she was first diagnosed

What Doesn't Kill Me - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Ep 3 Audio Meg Quinlisk

Meg Quinlisk offers up her insights into living 45 years with Rheumatoid Arthritis and her changing chronic pain. She shares the major learning milestones in her journey, her "ah ha" moments and the many lessons that led her to acceptance and hope.
00:00 Podcast Intro
01:30 Seven Podcast Insights
03:00 Who is Meg Quinlisk
09:59 Pain forces change in every part of you
10:19 Chronic pain changes you biologically, physically and mentally
16:03 Shrinking and expanding your world
25:30 Balancing acceptance with hope
32:20 Everything happens for a reason versus finding reason in your suffering
42:55 A detailed description of horrific pain
43:53 Your scars and the lessons you have learned from chronic pain don't leave you. They stay to offer you strength and resilience

What Doesn't Kill Me - Crohn's Disease - Ep 2 Audio Jen Blaustein

Jennifer shares her incredible journey with Crohn's disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was diagnosed when she was 11 years old with debilitating Crohn's disease. At 19 she had very serious surgery which was life changing .
00:00 introduction
00:37 Jen's 6 Episode Insights
01:50 Who is Jennifer
01:45 What is Crohn's disease, her symptoms, surgeries and her most life changing surgery an ileostomy, her secondary autoimmune disease is Rheumatoid Arthritis, J Pouch surgery
06:27 The differences between Colitis and Crohn's disease
08:06 What exactly is an ileostomy and why they are not to be feared
08:38 How the ileostomy changed her life for the better
10:09 Diet and her Crohn's disease
13:14 How Jen's identity and her sense of self has changed since her diagnosis
16:35 The role shame plays in our lives as we navigate our illness
18:49 What should people that love and support us refrain from saying and what is ok to say
23:14 Chronic pain is a thief that takes so much away. What has she lost, what has she gained?
27:39 Medications like Gabapentin help her nerve pain yet there are many medicines she can't take for pain due the negative interactions with her Crohn's
30:02 The importance of a good mental health team and chronic pain
31:30 Medical Marijuana for pain control
32:18 The importance of humor in Jen's life
35:58 Jen offers advice for the newly diagnosed, self advocacy, finding the right doctor, taking a person with you to big appointments
37:48 Jen finishes the statement "What Doesn't Kill Me"

What Doesn't Kill Me - Psoriatic Arthritis and Gout - Ep 1 Audio Frank Nolan

A podcast for those in chronic pain and those that love and support us. Through telling our story we connect with others, through this connection comes understanding, empathy, validation and acceptance. The goal is for us to help each other thrive in a world that is not designed for us. In this episode Franks shares is difficult, frustrating and painful journey with psoriatic arthritis and gout.