In episode fifteen, the tables turn as Jessica interviews long-time host, Alexandria, about her lived experience of pain. The two discuss the issue with imaging, the process of receiving multiple pain diagnoses, and what to do when - as a patient - you want to resist the treatment options being offered to you.
Show Notes
For episode fifteen, we are speaking to patient partner and pain advocate Alexandria Pavelich. Alexandria - the podcast's regular host - had the tables turned where Jessica interviewed her about her lived of experience of pain.
Alexandria has a history of migraines, back pain, pelvic pain, and has received dozens of varying pain diagnoses throughout her life such as RSD, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, herniated discs, and interstitial cystitis with limited options being offered in terms of management or treatment. Alexandria shares her story of how she overcome pain with the help of Dr. Gabor Maté who encouraged her to learn more about the connection between mind-body, and how trauma can impact one's experience of pain.
Alexandria also details how imaging is not the be-all-end-all in diagnoses and treating pain, and how suggestive the mind can be when receiving medical information. Lastly, they dive into the idea of resistance: what does a patient do when they are told they are non-compliant after resisting the treatments being offered, or if they begin to reject the pain diagnoses they've received? If you are a patient whose ever felt unseen or unheard by a practitioner trying to get help for your pain, then this episode is for you!