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(HumanCare podcast) How to Advocate for Yourself: Em and Kate Miller

“You know your body better than anyone. You’re living in it 24/7. No one should be dismissing the stuff you have to say.”-Em Miller


Em and Kate Miller are the co-authors of chronic illness blog, TwoBeingHealthy.com and the YouTube channel of the same name. Forced into non-traditional careers by chronic illnesses that include Lupus, POTS, EDS, Mast Cell Activation disorder diagnosed in their late teens, their blog is a delightful mix of practical tips for patients, product testing, and their own struggles. Today they share their journey, tips on how to advocate for yourself as a patient, and the importance of community support.


Visit:

Blog: https://www.twobeinghealthy.com/

YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2TOvA7E

Doctors Appointment – Our Top 10 Tips! : http://bit.ly/2sO6DxX

Instagram: @twobeinghealthy



Time Stamps:

  • 17:58 – Em’s diagnosis of Lupus at 17
  • 18:55 – Kate’s diagnosis and that people typically have more than one autoimmune disorder
  • 19:20 – POTS diagnosis
  • 19:28 – What is POTS
  • 20:20 – Difference between how Em and Kate experience their illnesses
  • 22:16 – What is EDS
  • 23:24 – Perceptions of chronic illness and breaking the stigma
  • 28:00 – Empowering aspect of the TwoBeingHealthy blog
  • 29:04 – Examples of what they share on their blog
  • 30:50 – Problem with doctors assuming patients with the same conditions will have the same traits
  • 31:30 – The importance of advocating for yourself at doctor’s appointments
  • 32:39 – The importance of not wearing makeup or nailpolish to doctors’ appointments 
  • 37:22 – The importance of tracking your symptoms and having notes of everything you want to cover during the appointment
  • 38:55- Knowing the tests to ask for re EDS and POTS + the problem with POTS
  • 43:13 – How to act with a new doctor and a time constraint
  • 44:04 – What to do if you feel you’re not being taken seriously by the doctor
  • 46:16 – The importance of finding a doctor you can trust
  • 49:20 – Problems communicating with doctors, especially renowned specialists
  • 52:32 – Cytochrome mutations and their effect on medication absorption
  • 53:54 – Difference between advocating for oneself and making demands
  • 55:54 – Importance of mutual respect in doctor patient relationships and finding a doctor you trust
  • 59:45 – On Em and Kate’s unsponsored product testing
  • 1:01:37 – The importance of personal comfort
  • 1:04:10 – The importance of finding what works for you 
  • 1:04:49 – Benefits of having an emergency relief kit
  • 1:06:47 – The Chronic Babe and being as well as possible
  • 1:07:27 – The big impact of little changes and recommendations
  • 1:08:10 – The importance of health and being proactive
  • 1:09:10 – What is Mast Cell Activation Disorder
  • 1:14:11 – The chronic illness community that developed around the blog
  • 1:17:45 – The challenge of balancing the difficult and raw with the positive and proactive
  • 1:19:50 – The benefit of having someone vs going it alone
  • 1:20:38 – The upside of following other people’s chronic illness journeys on social media
  • 1:21:52 – Importance of community, partnerships, and trust 

 

 

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(Disclaimer: all content based on personal experience and research and should not be taken as medical advice)

 

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