Oct 17 2024 8 mins 1
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.
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.
