Happy Tuesday! Welcome to That’s So Chronic! Today I was able to catch up with Megan, to talk about her diagnosis of vulvodynia, endometriosis and adenomyosis.

In this episode Megan talks us through her diagnosis story, what it was like being a part of the PIPI programme at Burwood Hospital, the importance of finding a good GP, her experience navigating the private v public aspect of the NZ health system, and everything in between! 

Megan shares her story so openly, and I’m grateful that I could help her share her story with all of you.

If you’re a new listener - Hi! Welcome! I would love you to hit that follow button (and maybe even a cheeky 5 star review?!) wherever you’re listening. Love you the most!

You can find That’s So Chronic on instagram and tiktok: @thatssochronic

See you next week! 

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YAY! WE’RE BACK! Today’s episode is with Logan Donnelly (@_kiwidad) and we are chatting about his diagnosis of secondary hypogonadism, and what that means for his fertility. 

In this episode Logan talks about his diagnosis, the decisions he made in regards to treatment, how wildly different specialists’ opinions can be, why he poured so much time and energy into becoming an expert on his own condition, and what motivated him to keep trying even though a lot of people were saying it wouldn’t be possible. 

You can find Logan on instagram: @_kiwidad  

You can also join the testosterone replacement New Zealand facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/730371087688492

And if you're interested in hearing more about Logan and Charlie's birth story, listen to his interview over on Kiwi Birth Tales

Make sure you're following That’s So Chronic on instagram and tiktok: @thatssochronic, and don’t forget to press follow on Spotify or Apple pods if you’re new around here! 

PS… Thanks for being patient while I took a little breather, it’s so good to be back! 

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Tuesday friends! Yep, another PSA… Interviews are going on a little break while I get caught up again! Thanks for being so understanding. I hope you don't forget about me and That's So Chronic! 

But, this reminds me… Here’s the application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Don’t forget to sign up to the free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Aaaaand follow That’s So Chronic on instagram & tiktok: @thatssochronic

Miss you already! See you soon xx

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back to That’s So, a monthly series here at That’s So Chronic where we get to chat a little bit deeper on a piece of content (book, film, interview, etc!) that’s in our That’s So Chronic world. Today… The Invisible Kingdom by Meghan O’Rourke.

The Invisible Kingdom - Reimagining Chronic Illness, blends New York Times best seller Meghan O’Rourke’s own experiences of searching for answers/a diagnosis, as well as interviews between health professionals, patients, researchers, and public health experts, to unpack “invisible” illnesses. 

In this episode we get to hear from Meghan to learn about what goes into writing a book, what the response has been, and similarities between the New Zealand and American health system (sorry, but WHY are we still using FAX MACHINES?!) This book took me on a ride, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you all!  

“The Invisible Kingdom offers hope for the sick, solace and insight for their loved ones, and a radical new understanding of our bodies and our health.”

“Remarkable.” – The New York Times

Follow Meghan O’Rourke on twitter and instagram: @meghanor, and over on facebook. You can also find out more at: meghanorourke.com

Add The Invisible Kingdom to your GoodReads, and purchase your copy online, on Google Books or Kindle, or borrow from your local library.

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #ThatsSoChronic

If you have something that you would like discussed on an upcoming That’s So: episode, I would love to hear from you! Drop me an email ([email protected]), a DM on instagram, or fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/4RZbCiHARjV5gmcWA 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Tuesday! As always it’s such a treat to have you here. Today I am sitting down with Sarah Cahill to talk about all things chronic migraine.

In this episode Sarah explains what chronic migraine is (spoiler alert… it’s not *just* a headache!), what inspired her to start sharing her story on her blog www.migrainedownunder.com, how she manages migraine attacks, what treatments are out there (and whether they’re available in New Zealand…) and then we get to hear all about the work she’s doing starting a not-for-profit incorporate society for people living with migraine.

For more information: migrainefoundation.org.nz

Sarah’s blog: migrainedownunder.com 

And don’t forget to follow the Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand on Facebook and Instagram 

Aaaaand of course, make sure you’ve pressed follow wherever you’re listening from and leave a 5 star review! Thank you! Love you the most!

You can find me over on instagram and tiktok, I'm @thatssochronic

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to That’s So Chronic! Today I am chatting to the CEO of AEPIOS - a free and secure online platform that helps connect people with a shared diagnosis to one another. But what people might not know is that Christina is living with fibromyalgia and chronic migraine herself, and that’s what we’re chatting about today.

In this episode Christina talks us through getting a diagnosis, how she managed her symptoms while studying in a double PhD programme, the challenges moving states has had on her treatment plan, and of course the story of how AEPIOS came to be. 

If you would like to know more about AEPIOS, check out their website: www.aepios.com

And if you would like to know about That’s So Chronic, you can find us on Instagram and Tiktok: @thatssochronic 

Don’t forget to press follow, and leave a 5 star review! That REALLY helps and I will love you forever for it! 

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well hello! Welcome back to That’s So Chronic. Today you are in for a treat as we get to know Dr Kevin J. Payne, and he talks us through his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, or more commonly known as, MS. 

In this episode Dr Payne talks about the journey of finally getting a diagnosis (and a name!) for his symptoms, how he manages these symptoms, what has inspired his work at yourlifelivedwell.co (including writing his book), he teaches me some new information about stress, and then we get to the big one… How and why he became a pro skydiver.

…I KNOW! I told you you were in for a treat!

For more information about Dr Payne and the work he does, check out yourlifelivedwell.co, find him on instagram at @yourllwell and @drkjpayne, or listen to his podcast (just search “Your Life Lived Well”)

And if you’re after that embarrassing bungy jump video… you’ll have to come and find me on Instagram or Tiktok, I’m @thatssochronic

As always, it’s a pleasure to be in your ears! See you next week!

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello favourite people! Welcome to That’s So Chronic! Today we’re chatting about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) with Emma Maguire.

In this episode Emma shares the road to getting these diagnoses, how sometimes implementing an immediate management strategy like a FODMAP diet is just a little bit unsustainable, what it’s like living, performing and working with multiple chronic illnesses, and some advice for pre diagnosis Emma. 

Find Emma on instagram @em_ma_maguire and on twitter @eph__em__era 

If you have any thoughts or feels don’t be afraid to reach out! I’m @thatssochronic on instagram and tiktok!

(Also, if you made it to the end and did that special favour, thank you SO much!!!)

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the final Tuesday of the month which means a That’s So: episode! Today I’m chatting with Miranda Allen and we are talking about the award winning documentary Unrest and all things myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS)

Unrest was created by Jennifer Brae who is an independent documentary filmmaker based in LA. Jennifer was studying towards her PhD at Harvard, when suddenly a mysterious illness left her bedridden. She decided to turn the camera on herself, and document the process. What unfolded over the next few years was an eventual diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Stream Unrest now: https://unrest.film or on Netflix  

And as promised, here is Miranda’s appearance on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfGGIQbsrrE ... I TOLD YOU you had to see it to believe it!!

Let’s keep the convo going over on Instagram and Tiktok, I’m @thatssochronic

I actually love making these That’s So episodes! So thank you for listening!

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #ThatsSoChronic

If you have something that you would like discussed on an upcoming That’s So: episode, I would love to hear from you! Drop me an email ([email protected]), a DM on instagram, or fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/4RZbCiHARjV5gmcWA 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back to That’s So Chronic! Today’s episode is with Rosie Roulette, and we are chatting about hypermobile ehlers danlos syndrome (hEDS), fibromyalgia, suspected postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a little bit of endometriosis, and the moment when Rosie discovered they had a rare form of brain tumor (colloid cyst).

In this episode Rosie talks about how these diagnoses can to be, as well as how they have shaped their creative practice, what inspires them to be so open about chronic illness and disability, and whether that surgeon was right… Would Rosie ever be a dancer again?

You can find Rosie on instagram and facebook: @rosieroulette 

As well as their chronic illness cabaret: @chroniccabaret

And of course, you can find me on instagram and tiktok: @thatssochronic 

Rosie was the year above me at drama school and being able to chat to them now about their journey was a great check in for me to remember that we really have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes for people, even people that we might see every single day. 

PS there are some weird tech issues throughout this episode, so it’s not your headphones breaking! Sorry! Xoxo

@thatssochronic | @jessssbrien | #thatssochronic

Free monthly newsletter: thatssochronic.substack.com

Application form to share your story: https://forms.gle/csebLkwfwAjiLApK9 

Disclaimer: Here at That's So Chronic we are sharing personal stories and are not advocating any type of treatment, therapy, procedure or intervention. Everyone is unique so please seek professional medical advice before making any decisions for yourself or for others.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.