In this Anxiety Chick’s life update episode , Taylor shares the appointment that changed everything: confirmed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis after years of putting off a positive ANA workup. She opens up about confusing symptoms she’d chalked up to anxiety, why finally seeing a great rheumatologist mattered, and what treatment decisions might look like from here.

What We Cover

Taylor’s diagnosis: Hashimoto’s + rheumatoid arthritis—what that means and why it’s a relief and a lot to process

Autoimmune 101: ANA, thyroid antibodies (TPO), flares, allostatic load, and why symptoms can mimic anxiety

Next steps: Rheumatology vs. endocrinology, why early treatment can prevent progression, and building a plan

When anxiety overlaps with illness: differentiating flares from fear, and why self-gaslighting is easy to do

Self-advocacy: symptom logging, asking for an expanded thyroid panel, and the reality that a positive ANA can occur in healthy people

Finding the right doctor: why crowdsourced local Facebook groups can beat star ratings, and how to use your PPO without referrals

Alison’s update: non-invasive imaging follow-up (results pending), perimenopause changes, colonoscopy prep basics, and pacing life when you’re overstimulated

Nervous system care: stress, sleep, and small tools that help while you wait for answers (including Alison’s mention of the Restore Patch)

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