This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Dr. Preston Roche—a psychiatry resident, former Air Force Academy track athlete, and viral medical content creator known as ⁠ ⁨@itspresro⁩ ⁠. Preston brings a blend of clinical insight and personal vulnerability and I share my experience with acute and chronic pain (including how I think about and manage CRPS). Together, we dive into the messy, misunderstood world of chronic pain, mental health, and medical bias.

In this episode, we talk:

🧠 How today’s doctors learn about pain (chronic and acute), and how that compares to real life

📉 Why chronic pain can be dismissed in ER or hospital settings

🥼 Why patients struggle with seeking pain relief

💛 How to advocate for yourself and your pain (and why certain phrases may be working AGAINST you!)


💊 What pain relief options can we have in our toolbox?

⚠️ The deep overlap between depression and pain (and why being in the hospital spikes this connection

👀 The Truth Behind the Chronic Pain and Illness Olympics

Whether you’ve been dismissed by a doctor, told your symptoms are “in your head,” or just want to understand your body better—this one’s for you. You are not making it up. You are not alone. And you deserve care that actually cares.

Thanks for Calling in Sick with us

💛xx,
Alex

💬 Comment: How has chronic illness impacted your mental health?

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick!

00:02:00 Alex’s Picks of The Week

00:02:51 Interview with Preston Roche

00:07:55 How Pain is Taught to Today’s Doctors - from the class room to the hospital

00:11:30 Why is My Pain Questioned in the Hospital?

00:18:50 Have I Suffered Enough to Receive Pain Relief?

00:23:14 The Relationship between Doctors and Chronic Illness Patients

00:26:32 Why “I know my body best” and “I have a high pain tolerance” may get you dismissed by medical professionals

00:41:06 Hospitalization and In-Patient Pain and Mental Health Management

00:48:47 The different types of psychological pain

00:56:13 Why “it’s just anxiety” is a problem for people with chronic illnesses

01:00:01 Is it our fault to feel depressed, anxiety or pain?01:09:11 The Truth Behind the Sick and Pain Olympics

01:16:00 The One Brain Cell Segment

01:21:51 LOVE YOU GUYS!

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

✨Feet Warmies — https://getwarmertimes.com/collections/warmers/products/toe-warmers

✨Saje — https://go.shopmy.us/p-18164585

Resources on Understanding Pain and Pain Management:

• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661581

• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2673971

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