Women On Steroids

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to reveal details of our medical history that are considered high risk factors for poor outcomes from a COVID19 infection. This situation has generated emotional disruption and stress in our lives as we try to follow medical advice to keep safe and protected. This is added to the baseline changes that autoimmune diseases and the medications used to treat them have on our brain function responsible for a variety of mental symptoms, which not infrequently require professional attention.   Join me in conversation with Dr. Ahmed Hankir, a medical specialist who practices Psychiatry in London.  Ahmed is a very vocal advocate for bringing awareness about  the social stigma that makes mental disease so difficult to diagnose and treat in a timely fashion. 

Dr. Hankir's Twitter handle is @ahmedhankir

Autoimmune Diseases are often treated with medication that suppress the immune system. It is therefore crucial to take essential measure to protect ourselves now that we are facing a surge in the infection rates by COVID19.  Take a listen and also watch the video: 

bit.ly/2UGltk8

Even though greater than two thirds of people affected by autoimmune diseases are women, a significant portion of the patient population is male. Our guest speakers for this episode are Dr. Max Gutreiman, specialist in Internal Medicine practicing in Costa Rica, and my cousin Giovanni Estrada Bencardino, radiology technologist from Ibague, Colombia.  Dr. Gutreiman's Ulcerative colitis and Giovanni's Bullous pemphigoid have impacted their lives for over a decade leading them to experience serious complications from their diseases and also life-threatening adverse effects from the medications used to treat them with high dose Prednisone as a staple in their treatment regime.  This episode was recorded in Spanish.

Episode 7. Hombres en Esteroides was recorded in Spanish. Our guest speakers are Dr. Max Gutreiman, Internist from Costa Rica, and Giovanni Estrada Bencardino, Radiology Technologist from Colombia. They shared with us their experience as health care workers as well as patients impacted by autoimmune diseases.  Esperamos que lo disfruten. Pura Vida!

Dr. Zehava Sadka Rosenberg and I have known each other for 25 years.  She has been a mentor, an advisor and a colleague for equal amount of time before and after my autoimmune disease diagnosis.  

As someone who has struggle coming to terms with my medical condition and the secondary effects of the medications used to treat it, I could not have wished for a better friend  than  Zehava. She has been a solid rock and also a sounding board  whenever I have needed her. 

Join Zehava and I in conversation as we go over how to best support and advocate for your friends who may be facing difficulties related to the diagnosis and treatment of their autoimmune disorder.   Always remember that their hope for recovery may rely in good part on counting with your friendship and love.