What Doesn’t Kill Me...

A podcast with stories of those with chronic illness or chronic pain. Our goal is to educate, empathize and connect with others to help us thrive in a world that isn’t designed for us.

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Episodes

Tuesday Jun 18, 2024

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.

Wednesday Jun 05, 2024

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 symptoms10:58 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 symptoms23:42 Online classes offered free by Parkinson's Place24:20 Pain is amplified by Parkinson's.26:38 More symptoms along with the differences between support group vs Facebook groups32:24 The importance of modifications and adaptations.34:40 Foods known to improve Dopamine levels38:56 Treatments that have helped Connie.41:03 Prescription assistance programs, the PAN41 program48:38 Importance of asking for support and help49:40 The stereotypes to be aware of and what not to say to patients.54:12 Best advice from Connie59:20 What doesn't kill me - Connie's response

Wednesday May 15, 2024

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 introduction00:37 Jen's 6 Episode Insights01:50 Who is Jennifer01:45 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 surgery06:27 The differences between Colitis and Crohn's disease08:06 What exactly is an ileostomy and why they are not to be feared08:38 How the ileostomy changed her life for the better10:09 Diet and her Crohn's disease13:14 How Jen's identity and her sense of self has changed since her diagnosis16:35 The role shame plays in our lives as we navigate our illness18:49 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's30:02 The importance of a good mental health team and chronic pain31:30 Medical Marijuana for pain control32:18 The importance of humor in Jen's life35:58 Jen offers advice for the newly diagnosed, self advocacy, finding the right doctor, taking a person with you to big appointments37:48 Jen finishes the statement "What Doesn't Kill Me"

Saturday May 11, 2024

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 Intro00:38 Kelly's Episode Insights01:46 Who is Kelly Kean, what is here background04:53 Kelly explains Pudendal Neuropathy16:11 Successful surgical and medication options31:13 Successful alternative treatment options and coping skills28:53 Newest research and treatments for nerve pain42:40 Redefining success in your life42:55 What is the best way to ask for help from family and friends47:30 What not to say to Kelly regarding her pain55:28 What Kelly motivated57:31 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 diagnosedLinks associated with this episode, copy into your browser- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240205165844.htmhttps://pure.johnshopkins.edu/en/publications/a-definition-of-neuromodulation-and-classification-of-implantablehttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2019/01/understanding-neuromodulation

Monday Apr 22, 2024

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 Intro01:30 Seven Podcast Insights03:00 Who is Meg Quinlisk09:59 Pain forces change in every part of you 10:19 Chronic pain changes you biologically, physically and mentally16:03 Shrinking and expanding your world25:30 Balancing acceptance with hope32:20 Everything happens for a reason versus finding reason in your suffering42:55 A detailed description of horrific pain43:53 Your scars and the lessons you have learned from chronic pain don't leave you. They stay to offer you strength and resilience

Tuesday Apr 02, 2024

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.

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A Pain Podcast

Our podcast covers a wide range of chronic pain illnesses. "What Doesn't Kill Me" - a groundbreaking podcast exposing chronic pain's multidimensional and unseen impacts. Through candid interviews with fellow chronic pain survivors, Meg weaves an intricate tapestry of shared experiences, creating a community bound by acceptance and understanding. With disarming vulnerability, she imparts the invaluable wisdom gained from over four decades of battling rheumatoid arthritis. Meg guides her listeners through the many changes that chronic pain forces upon those in its grasp. Her mission is to share stories, foster understanding, create empathy, to form connection, validation and finally self-acceptance while educating others on the complexity of chronic pain.
Fundamentally, "What Doesn't Kill Me" is a powerful call to shift societal perspectives, eradicate the hurtful stigmas and platitudes surrounding chronic illness, and cultivate empathy for those who persevere.

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