Ritual, routine and chronic conditions. https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

Scamanda and Apple Cider Vinegar - Scams that Damage Us with Chronic Conditions. https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

I tuned in to the podcast and now the TV versions of "Scamanda" and now the Netflix show "Apple Cider Vinegar." Here are examples of two young white women who lied about having terminal cancer and scammed people out of tens of thousands of dollars.

In both cases they were discovered and prosecuted. I'm not here to relitigate Riley and Gibson.

How do these kinds of scams harm the rest of us who do have chronic and/or terminal conditions? Since Watergate, have we ever trusted a president as much? What that means for those of us who are trying to get medical expenses covered by friends and family or getting meals donated, how much less likely are people to do that kind of thing because of people like Riley and Gibson? While we can't calculate that amount, it certainly factors in. There are different seeds of doubt now that people have been duped.

Gibson said she overcame a glioblastoma with nutrition. She touted those changes in her app and book. That begs the question why are we willing to give our health decisions over to people who are not educated in medicine, health, nutrition?

Because we are desperate. We're desperate for change, answers, and alternatives. When you see how corrupt big pharma is you wonder whether there's another way. And so we turn to these "experts" and their alluring Instagram photos.

The more Riley's and Gibson's there are we all suffer when liars have a bigger platform. Check your sources. Find out what's actually true, not just what's buzzworthy.

Have you watched these shows?

What did you see or think when you watched?

Do you have a sense of why their (and others like their) platforms are so popular?

What do we do about the erosion of public trust?

How do you decide who you trust in the health space?

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

PROPER Maintenance Can SAVE Your Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrator! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or website https://www.annetteleonard.com

I recently traveled by plane which means using oxygen. The last time I used my Inogen, portable concentrator I got a message that said, "oxygen low."

When I contacted companies to service my Inogen I learned that I could pay a lot to send in my model to be repaired, or I could pay a WHOLE lot to have lifetime service for my machine. These costs were too much for me.

I continued to research what I as the user could do to maintain my machine -- from cleaning the filters to changing the columns. In so doing, I learned that my "oxygen low" message likely meant that I needed to change the columns. I purchased these online for about $100.

Once they arrived I looked up a video on YouTube about how to change out the columns. Then, critically, you have to fiddle with the computer so the machine *knows* the columns have been replaced.

Upon use, my machine worked great and the battery life was increased by more than four times! It was clear I needed new columns. These machines need routine maintenance (just like home oxygen concentrators) if they're being used regularly.

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

When chronic illness takes a turn for the worse how do we not borrow trouble? Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

It's already February of 2025 and this is my first broadcast of the year! I had a death in my family at the end of last year and then I got very sick. My life has ground to a halt over the last 6 weeks.

When things get worse, it's so tough to stay connected and not go down the rabbit holes of, "what if it stays this bad?" "What if I don't get better?" Managing my fears and frustrations about new symptoms is real.

Here is another place where a contemplative practice has served me. Usually, if I've been totally down for 6 weeks, I'm emotionally desperate. This time was different, I maintained a small bubble of possibility in my heart which kept it from sinking. The thing that I know has made the difference is my contemplative practice -- years and years of meditation. This allowed me to stay connected to WHAT IS not WHAT IF. I worked on not focusing on my fears but focusing on what was true at the moment. It wasn't easy but it was different.

Your contemplative practice could be different: music, prayer, nature, whatever allows you to focus on yourself in the present moment, is the way forward. By exercising this way when things are not at their worst allows you to develop the muscle so you can continue the practice when things are falling apart.

How do you stay present when things are worse in your illnesses?

What would you like to have me focus on in 2025?

Who are the experts or thought leaders you like to have me interview in Chronic Wellness Conversations?

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

What happens when you face pain? Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

I recently spent a month in near-total isolation. When these illnesses flare up and take time like this, it's difficult to roll with the physical and emotional toll.

From dropping the communication balls, to missing landmarks in people's lives, and not participating in friends/family's lives and wondering if I'll be forgotten, it plays with my mind and emotions. I think these are also worthiness-wounds, wondering if people will think I'm worth the work of all this. Then there's the internal stuff: I don't know if I can manage this pain. What if this is my new normal? and the way the pain feeds the fear, feeds the pain, feeds the fear...

Therapy helps and so does having a contemplative practice. When I lean into the pain instead of fearing it, I can tolerate more than I previously thought.

This is how I muddle through.

This time instead of being all alone with my fear and pain, I sent a voice memo flag to a few of my closest friends asking for some text support. Doing this is hard for me: reaching out instead of withdrawing. It helped me immeasurably to have words of love and affirmation be there to greet e when I surfaced.

You're worth that.

What are your habits?

What serves you in flares and times when your illnesses overwhelm?

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

The ER with chronic conditions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

I was recently absent from the podcast for several weeks. I was prescribed a new medication that had the side effect of headaches. As a person with daily migraines, that's something I flag.

Enduring pain at unmanageable levels, I've been in isolation for a month because of the headaches that med kicked off. Ten days in, my doctor told me to go to the ER to check things out.

The ER serves many functions for many people but it is never a place that handles chronic illness or chronic pain well. What happened when I got there (aside from all the lights, noise and waiting) was a terrible game of telephone. Things were inaccurately reported, diminished, and downplayed.

I'm not sure what other way I couldn't have ruled out the things my doctor was afraid of without a trip to the ER, but I wish there was another way.

For the times you, too, have had to receive treatment that wasn't so satisfying at the ER, I'm sorry.

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

Chronic illness may have surprising impacts on your experience of menopause. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

I am not a doctor and you should not take medical advice from me.

If you are a woman and live past a certain age -- you will encounter menopause. There are now some great studies and research about the effects of menopause. It is difficult to find providers who are educated in menopause. Because I've had a hysterectomy, figuring out whether I'm menopausal has to be led by my symptoms because I don't have a period to help inform me.

Bones are constantly rebuilding themselves. If you are on prednisone, your bones are made less dense. If you have been taking prednisone for a long time, talk about bone density with your doctor. Similarly, muscle loss is a concern.

I want to have as good a quality of life as I can. For me, that means quality nutrition. What am I eating?

Bones, muscles, and quality nutrition are a few of the considerations I have about menopause. There are many others.

There are many great experts like Dr. Mary Claire Haver and others out there who are menopause experts.

What are your concerns/questions about menopause?

Have you experienced menopause? What's it been like?

Are you taking HRT? Why/why not?

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

I’m Annette Leonard you can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

Have you ever had a doctor be overwhelmed by your complex stew of medical conditions? I recently sought out a specialist to talk about menopause. She read my file before the appointment (which was great) but walked into the appointment looking scared and explaining that she wasn't qualified to manage my case.

I'm sure it's surprising to encounter patients like me who have such involved medical histories. However, should I not be able to access information about menopause because I have so many rare disorders? I take the time to put the doctor at ease - which isn't my job but is what is necessary to get the information. It feels like really advanced advocacy.

In this appointment I started by asking what do estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone do in the body. After asking some questions specific to my medical history I asked what, more broadly, she'd seen in patients with autoimmune disease who go through menopause.

With patience and persistence, there are ways to talk the doctor down from their fears of consulting with you if your medical issues are too complex.

Have you had this experience?

What did you do?

What questions do you have about complex illness and menopause?

What experience do you have with complex illness and menopause?

Do you have advice about complex illness and menopause?

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

I’m Annette Leonard you can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

My wife has been doing some fall cleaning chores. Because I am unable to physically join her, I have a hard time managing. Sometimes I try to join her (usually to my detriment) or I numb out to escape my uncomfortable feelings about not being able to help her. I brought this experience to my therapist.

Today I spent hours on the phone being a professional patient, yesterday I spent close to 4 hours on the phone being a professional patient. She highlighted that I AM doing things for my household. She suggested that I need to change my filter. It isn't that I'm not CONTRIBUTING, but that I'm not counting the things I am contributing.

What is your filter? How are you showing up and not giving yourself full credit? How are you discounting your contributions?

I'd be glad for you to brag on yourself and tell me how you show up.

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

Also, join me on Instagram for my Chronic Wellness Conversations. My next IG Live will be 10/24 at 1:00 pm PST.

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.

The DANGERS of IVIg. I’m Annette Leonard you can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com

Last week I talked about IVIg. This week I'm here to talk about the dangers of IVIg. Please note, the *vast* majority of people tolerate IVIg with minimal complications.

However, for a small fraction of us there are few of us who will experience serious complications like these detailed in this episode.

These reactions can sometimes be avoided or mitigated by receiving Ig subcutaneously rather than intravenously.

Have you taken IVIg? Are you curious about IVIg? Have you had complications with IVIg? Leave a comment or ask a question.

**I have a new mini-course I'm finishing about how to unlock the power of your next doctor appointment*** the first 50 people get FREE enrollment. Sign up here https://www.annetteleonard.com/waitlist

Also, join me on Instagram for my Chronic Wellness Conversations. My next IG Live will be 9/26 at 1:00 pm PST.

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.