Chronic Wellness

Annette Leonard
  • 5.0 (18)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Chronic Wellness

Are you one of the millions living with a chronic illness or pain? Our diseases may be very different, but we have many of the same experiences, obstacles and frustrations. We are all working for a better quality of life knowing that pain and limitations will be our traveling companions. My name is Annette and I'm the host of Chronic Wellness, a brief, weekly, podcast where we talk about it all: sex, self-care, mental heath, loss of identity, anger, how to navigate health care and have less days that suck so hard. I have this belief that: If health is the absence of disease, and wellness is the presence of wholeness; whether or not I'm ever "healthy" again, I can work work toward my wellness, my wholeness. Curious? Join me where you listen to Podcasts, for a few moments of Chronic Wellness.

  1. 12/03/2024

    Episode 430: What Happens When You Face Pain Head-On？

    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.

    9 min

  2. 12/02/2024

    Episode 429: ER Hellscape for People with Chronic Conditions

    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.

    7 min

  3. 10/24/2024

    Episode 428: Surprising Ways Chronic Illness Affects Menopause

    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.

    8 min

  4. 10/17/2024

    Episode 427: Can You Effectively Advocate For Yourself When Your Medical History Is TOO MUCH？

    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.

    8 min

  5. 10/15/2024

    Episode 426: Change The Filter For Your Mental Health

    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.

    6 min

  6. 09/26/2024

    Episode 425: The Hidden Dangers of IVIG Therapy

    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.

    9 min

  7. 09/24/2024

    Episode 424: Revealing The Secrets Of IVIG Therapy

    Here are the truths about IVIG. I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard IVIG What is it? A blood product that's sold as a pharmaceutical product. IGg is a major component in our immune system. Intravenous immunoglobulin is used to treat a wide range of illnesses and conditions to bolster the immune system. Who is it for? For those of us with autoimmune diseases it is thought to overwhelm our immune systems and therefore, shut down our over-active immune systems. How is it administered? Are premeds required? How long does a dose last? How many donors are required for a dose of IVIG? What does IVIG therapy cost? Have you tried IVIG? For what condition? Has it worked? Did you have side effects? 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 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.

    9 min

  8. 08/30/2024

    Episode 423: Shocking Truths About Mixed Connective Tissue Diseases

    What are the dangers of mixed connective tissue disease? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard What are the main MCTDs? What can happen if you have a MCTD? These diseases can impact our wellbeing and threaten our lives in several ways. They are not curable, but they are sometimes manageable. Because they are rare diseases, their treatment is under researched. Do you have a MCTD? Do you wonder if you have a MCTD? What do you do to manage your MCTD? What do you do to increase your comfort with your MCTD? **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.

    7 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Are you one of the millions living with a chronic illness or pain? Our diseases may be very different, but we have many of the same experiences, obstacles and frustrations. We are all working for a better quality of life knowing that pain and limitations will be our traveling companions. My name is Annette and I'm the host of Chronic Wellness, a brief, weekly, podcast where we talk about it all: sex, self-care, mental heath, loss of identity, anger, how to navigate health care and have less days that suck so hard. I have this belief that: If health is the absence of disease, and wellness is the presence of wholeness; whether or not I'm ever "healthy" again, I can work work toward my wellness, my wholeness. Curious? Join me where you listen to Podcasts, for a few moments of Chronic Wellness.

Information

  • Creator
    Annette Leonard
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    387
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Chronic Wellness

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