I Am Not My Pain with Melissa Adams

May 14 2024 108 ep. 31 mins 2

I Am Not My Pain with Melissa Adams Podcast artwork

Pain and illness can become an all-consuming experience. As a chronic pain sufferer for over twenty years, I know firsthand how pain can easily take over your life and isolate you from others. But the truth is we are so much more than illness and we are not alone. There are millions of fellow warriors on their own journey. Join me every Tuesday as we hear real stories of people living with pain and illness, their challenges, their victories and the treatments they use to get through each day. I Am Not My Pain and neither are you!

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Signing Off with Gratitude

May 14 2024 8 mins

Podcast host, Melissa Adams is signing off with gratitude from the I Am Not My Pain Podcast. Thanks to the encouragement and purpose from her sponsor, Heroes Circle, Melissa began the show wishing to bring living with chronic illness out of the shadows and into the light! After four seasons including 100 episodes with 56 chronic illness warriors from all over the world, this podcas

S4E15: Being Okay with Not Being Okay- Part Two

May 07 2024 36 mins

Continuing our conversation with warrior, Stephanie Venneri. Stephanie went in for a routine filling in 2021 and due to negligence, left with Trigeminal Neuralgia nicknamed the “Suicide Disease.” Excruciating pain and limited speaking time swiftly ended her over twenty year singing career, her livelihood and passion. Other diagnoses followed such as Hemicrania Continua, SUNA, A

S4E14: Being Okay with Not Being Okay- Part One

Apr 30 2024 31 mins

Meet warrior, Stephanie Venneri. Stephanie went in for a routine filling in 2021 and due to negligence, left with Trigeminal Neuralgia nicknamed the “Suicide Disease.” Excruciating pain and limited speaking time swiftly ended her over twenty year singing career, her livelihood and passion. Other diagnoses followed such as Hemicrania Continua, SUNA, Anesthesia Dolorosa and TMD/T

S4E13: Destigmatizing Pelvic Pain- Part Two

Apr 23 2024 31 mins

Continuing our conversation with warrior, Michelle Milheiras. Michelle began experiencing vulva pain after a tailbone injury at only eight years old. Heavy periods, chronic UTI symptoms and yeast infections followed. Doctors dismissed and misdiagnosed her for over a decade, common for pelvic issues. Her pain and symptoms became so severe she had to leave her job. She was at last di

S4E12: Destigmatizing Pelvic Pain- Part One

Apr 16 2024 37 mins

Meet warrior, Michelle Milheiras. Michelle began experiencing vulva pain after a tailbone injury at only eight years old. Heavy periods, chronic UTI symptoms and yeast infections followed. Doctors dismissed and misdiagnosed her for over a decade, common for pelvic issues. Her pain and symptoms became so severe she had to leave her job. She was at last diagnosed accurately with Pelv

S4E11: The Identity Shift

Apr 09 2024 43 mins

Throwing it back to S1E8 with warrior, Leanne Million. Leanne’s identity was one of drama teacher, actress and all around go getter until she experienced a concussion in a car accident. Managing her physical pain and issues with her neurological function from post-concussion syndrome, Leanne had to leave her job and felt huge pieces of her identity slip away, a common occurrence

S4E10: Discovering Your Authentic Self while Chronically Sick- Part Two

Apr 02 2024 29 mins

Continuing our discussion with warrior, Kashinda Marche from S2E13. In 1995, Kashinda was a nineteen-year-old, new mother when she received the life-changing diagnosis of HIV. Reaching a breaking point with her mental health, Kashinda chose to focus on changing her mindset. Four neurosurgeries and many diagnoses followed throughout the years including Hidradenitis Suppurative, Auto

S4E9: Discovering Your Authentic Self while Chronically Sick- Part One

Mar 26 2024 43 mins

We are throwing back to S2E12 with warrior, Kashinda Marche. In 1995, Kashinda was a nineteen-year-old, new mother when she received the life-changing diagnosis of HIV. Reaching a breaking point with her mental health, Kashinda chose to focus on changing her mindset. Four neurosurgeries and many diagnoses followed throughout the years including Hidradenitis Suppurative, Autoimmune

S4E8: A Nightmare Visit at the ER - Courtney’s Story- Part Two

Mar 19 2024 36 mins

Continuing our discussion with warrior, Courtney, who along with uncommon conditions of POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, struggles with worsening unexplained and life-altering symptoms. After experiencing extremely painful and concerning complaints for over a month and receiving little help from her family physician and other specialists, Courtney reluctantly attended her local eme

S4E7: A Nightmare Visit at the ER - Courtney’s Story- Part One

Mar 12 2024 38 mins

We are throwing back to S2E7 with warrior, Courtney, who discussed the dismissiveness, gaslighting and judgements she faces on her odyssey to find respectful medical care. Courtney manages multiple rare conditions, which include POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, but she also struggles with worsening unexplained symptoms, which are accumulating over time. Her uncommon, complex and ul