Chronically Living and how to make the most of it

It can be really difficult for people with chronic illnesses to be just comfortable with changes in their bodies as a result of illness and/or medications, let alone feel good about themselves.
In this episode we talk about:

• the body positivity movement more generally
• body issues Spoonies face
• ways to improve body positivity

Follow me on Instagram @janeversuspain, on Twitter @janevspain, and on FaceBook @janeversuspain.
My TikTok for some therapy techniques is @kelseyleighharris.
Link for my YouTube channel: Kelsey L Harris Meditations

This week I had an amazing conversation with fellow Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease warrior, Danielle Julius-Williams. We got to see similarities in our experiences, as well as differences, highlighting that the same autoimmune disease is experienced differently by each person.
In this episode we talk about:

• what UCTD is
• diagnosis stories
• using exercise to control symptoms
• different modes of coping

Guest Bio:
Danielle is a full time mom of 2, who was diagnosed with UCTD during her second pregnancy. She is very active in the parenting community, and challenges how society views mothers and their bodies.

Follow Danielle on Instagram @fitbyflawless

We're constantly going through changes and transitions in our lives, and for those with chronic illness, in our health. There are some important skills for us to develop that can make these easier for us.
In this episode we talk about:

• resiliency
• health transitions
• life transitions
• self-care

Follow me on Instagram @janeversuspain, on FaceBook @JaneVersusPain and on Twitter @janevspain.

This week Dr. Soneka Lee Portee is on the show to tell us about her work as a physical therapist, health coach and certified tai chi instructor, and to give us some tips on dealing with chronic illness. She also shares her story of having ankylosing spondylitis.
In this episode we talk about:

• how movement can help stiff joints
• benefits of nutrition for all chronic illnesses
• how tai chi can help
• celebrating the small wins

Guest Bio:
Dr. Soneka Lee Portee has been a Physical Therapist for eleven years. During this time, she witnessed the impact that nutrition plays on her clients’ ability to reach their goals. This sparked her desire to become a Health Coach. 

In 2017, Dr. Portee was in a car accident and learned that she had Ankylosing Spondylitis, a condition in which you have systematic inflammation that affects the spine. 

She was now the patient and was desperate for answers. Research led her to the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. 

By changing her diet, practicing Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, she has become a healthier person.

Follow Soneka on Instagram @sonekaleedpt
Check out her Facebook group Enhance Your Qi.
Check out her health coach program.

Brain fog is really common with chronic illness, but did you know there are a ton of causes to it? There are also some ways to deal with it so it has less of an impact on your life.

In this episode we talk about:

• what brain fog is
• the causes of brain fog
• research into brain fog
• ways to combat brain fog
• notice the hand mindfulness exercise

Let me know what you thought of the episode by DM-ing me or tagging me in your story on Instagram: @janeversuspain

Medical gaslighting has become a systemic problem that many Spoonies, especially women have faced. Most recently it has been happening to long COVID patients. 
In this episode we talk about:

• what medical gaslighting is
• historical perspectives on medical gaslighting
• common chronic illnesses to experience gaslighting
• what to do if we are being gaslit

Feel free to share you story of being gaslit by tagging me on Instagram @janeversuspain.

There is so much overlap between mental health problems and chronic illness. In a previous episode we talked about anxiety, and this week we get into depression because it is very common in Spoonies.
In this episode we talk about:

• contributing factors to depression in people with chronic illness
• symptoms of depression
• psychological treatments for depression
• coping with chronic illness and depression

If you are in crisis, please reach out for support.
Crisis Hot Line Canada: 1-833-456-4566
Crisis Text Line Canada: text HOME to 686868
USA: 1-800-273-8255

Find me on Instagram @janeversuspain, on Twitter @janevspain, on FaceBook @janeversuspain, on TikTok @kelseyleighharris, and my blog is janeversuspain.com

This week I have the lovely Jenna Green joining me to discuss her experience in dealing with M.S. and her advocacy work with the M.S. Society.
In this episode we talk about:

• what multiple sclerosis is
• what it's like to live with M.S.
• M.S. advocacy
• coping

Guest Bio
Jenna Green is an outspoken Multiple Sclerosis advocate, diagnosed in early 2016, a dog mom, and a fun auntie from Boston, Massachusetts. She's a social media marketing consultant and she shares about her health and life on social media in hopes of helping to change public perception about people living with chronic fatigue, pain and invisible illness. She's also a volunteer with the US National MS Society and working to help change public policy to benefit people with disability and chronic illness.
Follow her on Instagram @thejennagreen
And check out her blog: fullofgritandgrace.com 

My guest this episode is Madeline Cary Davidson who shares her experiences not only with rheumatoid arthritis but also what it's like to go through pregnancy and be a parent while having a chronic illness.
In this episode we talk about:

• Madeline's rheumatoid arthritis journey
• pregnancy and parenting with chronic illness
• finding a career that fits for you with your illness

Guest Bio:
(As written by Madeline):
Hi everyone! My name is Madeline Cary Davidson, a young mother of two baby boys that has struggled with severe autoimmune disease since the age of 18 years old. My dream is to work in the field of fashion design while using my platform to help spread awareness about autoimmune disease, the challenges we Spoonies face on a regular basis and capitalize on the help that we so desperately need from modern science and technology. My goal is to encourage/motivate my fellow peers within our community to keep fighting and never give up. There is hope. The more united we are, the closer we are to healthier solutions to our ailments. <3
Follow Madeline on YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram @madelinecary, and on TikTok @madelinecarydavidson.

In this episode we deep dive into mental health, and specifically look at the overlap between anxiety and chronic physical health problems, as well as some ways to deal with anxiety.
In this episode we talk about:

• my experiences with anxiety and chronic illness
• difference between fear and anxiety
• overlap between anxiety disorders and chronic physical health conditions
• psychotherapy for treating anxiety about your health
• body scan

I would love to hear from you on Instagram! Tag me @janeversuspain.