Calling In Sick

Last week, we talked about giving ourselves permission to have fun — but this week? We’re swinging the pendulum back the other way. Because I made zero adjustments and just had fun… which was great until it wasn’t. Truth is, one of the hardest people to set boundaries with is actually ourselves. In this episode, I talk through what it looks like to chase joy, crash hard, and try to recover without beating yourself up. Spoiler alert: I’m recording this after two straight days of IVIG, so I’m right in the thick of it. Here’s what we get into: 🚷 Why we need to set boundaries with ourselves to make life sustainable 🧳 The “oops I had fun and now I’m in spoon jail” cycle 🌿 Ottine road trips, mineral springs, and my new “Come With Me” content series 🪑 The adjustments I’m making in real time This one’s for the people who are 0 or 100, all or nothing, go-go-go until your joints give out. You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You’re just human — and that’s more than enough. Thanks for Calling in Sick with me, again 💛 xx, Alex Comment: What’s one boundary you’re learning to set with yourself lately? Need to catch up on last week's episode? Here! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:00:30 Alex Life Updates! 00:03:00 Alex’s Picks of the Week! (discount code & links below) 00:04:28 The asterisk that should come after “Just Have Fun!” 00:06:00 How I allocate spoons (aka my energy!!) 00:11:30 Why I landed myself in sick chick jail this week (sorry for having a good time!!!) 00:15:43 Introducing My New Content Series, Come With Me!! 00:20:10 What Boundaries I’m Putting Up Against Myself 00:23:05 One Brain Cell TV: Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple) 00:28:06 LOVE YOU GUYS! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack -  https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨The Detox Market — https://go.shopmy.us/p-19681555 ———- ALEXWILDDETOX15 for 15% off at checkout! ✨Tower 28, SOS Line — https://go.shopmy.us/p-19830687 #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #selfadvocacy #medicalbias   #vasculitis #mixedconnectivetissuedisease #ibd #irritableboweldisease #trauma #ptsd #mentalhealthmatters #findjoy #glimmers #guiltforjoy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Dr. Preston Roche—a psychiatry resident, former Air Force Academy track athlete, and viral medical content creator known as ⁠ ⁨@itspresro⁩ ⁠. Preston brings a blend of clinical insight and personal vulnerability and I share my experience with acute and chronic pain (including how I think about and manage CRPS). Together, we dive into the messy, misunderstood world of chronic pain, mental health, and medical bias. In this episode, we talk: 🧠 How today’s doctors learn about pain (chronic and acute), and how that compares to real life 📉 Why chronic pain can be dismissed in ER or hospital settings 🥼 Why patients struggle with seeking pain relief 💛 How to advocate for yourself and your pain (and why certain phrases may be working AGAINST you!)
 💊 What pain relief options can we have in our toolbox? ⚠️ The deep overlap between depression and pain (and why being in the hospital spikes this connection 👀 The Truth Behind the Chronic Pain and Illness Olympics Whether you’ve been dismissed by a doctor, told your symptoms are “in your head,” or just want to understand your body better—this one’s for you. You are not making it up. You are not alone. And you deserve care that actually cares. Thanks for Calling in Sick with us 💛xx,
Alex 💬 Comment: How has chronic illness impacted your mental health? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:02:00 Alex’s Picks of The Week 00:02:51 Interview with Preston Roche 00:07:55 How Pain is Taught to Today’s Doctors - from the class room to the hospital 00:11:30 Why is My Pain Questioned in the Hospital? 00:18:50 Have I Suffered Enough to Receive Pain Relief? 00:23:14 The Relationship between Doctors and Chronic Illness Patients 00:26:32 Why “I know my body best” and “I have a high pain tolerance” may get you dismissed by medical professionals 00:41:06 Hospitalization and In-Patient Pain and Mental Health Management 00:48:47 The different types of psychological pain 00:56:13 Why “it’s just anxiety” is a problem for people with chronic illnesses 01:00:01 Is it our fault to feel depressed, anxiety or pain?01:09:11 The Truth Behind the Sick and Pain Olympics 01:16:00 The One Brain Cell Segment 01:21:51 LOVE YOU GUYS! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨Feet Warmies — https://getwarmertimes.com/collections/warmers/products/toe-warmers ✨Saje — https://go.shopmy.us/p-18164585 Resources on Understanding Pain and Pain Management: • https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661581 • https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2673971 #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #neurology #selfadvocacy #medicalbias #prestonroche #psychiatry #chronicpainandmentalhealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, we’re diving deep into a condition that’s often misunderstood, minimized, or completely missed: endometriosis. I’m joined by the wonderful Autumn Weimann (@grlwithbangs)—naturopathic doctor (@period.prep), clean beauty founder (@Banginhair.shop), and advocate for body-literate healing. Autumn shares her powerful story of navigating chronic pain and years of unanswered questions before being diagnosed with endometriosis, and taking her healing into her own hands. We trace her journey from feeling unheard in medical offices to becoming her own best advocate, healer, and educator. In this episode, we talk: 🩸 What endometriosis actually feels like (and why it’s so often missed) 💔 The emotional toll of misdiagnosis and mistrust in your body 🌿 Why Autumn pivoted into naturopathic medicine 💄 Launching a clean beauty brand grounded in hormone health 🧠 Reconnecting with your body when it’s been the source of so much pain Whether you’ve experienced chronic pain or just want to better understand your body, this episode is a must-listen. You deserve care that believes you, honors your intuition, and supports your whole self. Thanks for Calling in Sick with us this week 💛 xx,Alex 💬 Comment: What symptoms did you ignore that—looking back—were big warning signs? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:02:30 Alex’s Picks of The Week (Clean Beauty... see links below!!) 00:03:40 Welcome, Autumn Weimann (her story: early symptoms to diagnosis) 00:11:10 Why Autumn Became a Naturopathic Doctor, Diagnosis & The Period Prep 00:17:30 Why Boundaries Are SO Important 00:22:00 Challenging the Chronic Illness Identity Takeover 00:25:30 What Is The Period Prep Kit?! 00:32:21 Biggest Misconceptions Around Endometriosis 00:34:11 Alex Spilling the Tea on her Second Endo Surgery 00:37:36 How Endometriosis Impacts Fertility & Dreams of Motherhood 00:48:00 Is Clean Beauty Really Clean?! 00:58:57 Our Biggest Tips for Navigating YOUR Health 01:03:01 One Brain Cell Pick of the week (Love on the Spectrum & Vanderpump Villa) 01:07:31 Wrap Up, Endo Gala, and Thank YOU! 01:10:28 THANK YOU & LOVE YOU GUYS! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨Bangin’ Hair – https://www.banginhair.shop/product-page/banginhair-serum ✨HigherDose Infrared Hat - https://go.shopmy.us/p-14854531 Use code ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #ChronicIllnessCommunity #endometriosis #autumnweimann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey sweet friends—no full episode this week, just a short 10-minute update from me. Between a rough IVIG reaction, an unexpected ER trip, and a literal attempted home invasion (yes, really), I’m throwing it back to a past episodes: Processing Your Chronic Illness—because wow, I need to listen to this one this week too!! This week on Calling in Sick, I’m diving into something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the identity shift that happens when you're living with a chronic illness — whether you have an official diagnosis or not. There’s a specific kind of grief that comes from realizing you're no longer the person you once were. The person who had endless energy. The person who didn’t have to think twice about plans, goals, or dreams. The person who didn’t wonder, "Do I look sick enough for people to take me seriously?" In this solo episode, I’m opening up about: 💭 How chronic illness impacts your sense of self (even before a diagnosis) ⚡ Why comparison — to others and to your old self — can feel so brutal 🩺 The silent pressure to “look” sick enough for care 🧠 How processing a chronic illness mirrors the stages of grief 📚 Plus: My tips, tricks, and personal mindset shifts that have helped me find myself again If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I don’t even recognize my life anymore," — this one’s for you. You are not alone in this identity shift. You are not broken. You are just becoming someone new. Thanks for Calling in Sick with me again — xx, Alex 💛 💬 Comment: What’s been the hardest part of your chronic illness identity shift? What part of your “old” self do you miss — and what new part of you are you starting to love? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:02:01 Alex's Picks of The Week (Mayfair Group Sweat Suits, Intelligent Change 5 Minute Gratitude Journal) 00:04:02 One Brain Cell Segment: Below Deck 00:06:25 Processing your identity with a chronic illness intro 00:12:11 Post-Diagnosis Prioritization 00:19:46 The Challenges of Shifting Identity with Chronic Illness 00:28:31 My Tips for Handling the Identity Shift 00:45:41 My NUMBER ONE Tip for Handling the Identity Shift 00:48:01 Thank You for Listening! Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Lifeboost - Visit www.lifeboostcoffee.com/?ref=ALEXANDRAWILDESON and use code ALEXANDRA10 for 10% off your order for a healthier coffee experience – decaf included – you’ll love. Alex's Picks of the Week: *Mayfair Group - Visit http://go.shopmy.us/p-16514050 and use code Alexandra15 for 15% off *Intelligent Change - Visit https://www.intelligentchange.com/ALEXANDRA10 and use code Alexandra10 for 10% off at checkout Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack — https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod Powered by: https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, we’re tackling something that makes every chronic illness patient’s life harder—medical bills. The system is confusing, overwhelming, and expensive—and let’s be real, most of us just swipe our card and hope for the best. But what if I told you that hospitals and insurance companies are overcharging you—constantly? That’s why I’m sitting down with Daniel Lynch, co-founder of Medical Billing Gurus, to break down: 💰 The #1 mistake people make when they get a medical bill 🚨 How to fight back against surprise charges & denials 📉 How to negotiate your bill (yes, you CAN lower it!) 🧾 Why the same procedure can cost $500 or $5,000—depending on who’s paying If you’ve ever looked at a medical bill and thought, WTF is this?, this episode is for you. Knowledge is power—and this conversation will help you pick the right insurance plan for you, and potentially save you thousands. Have you ever fought a medical bill and won? Drop your story in the comments or DM me on IG (@callinginsickpod)! As always, sending love!xx,Alex Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:03:05 Alex’s Catch-Up 00:07:25 Alex’s Picks of the Week (VERSED, DIVI) 00:10:00 Introduction to Daniel Lynch, co-founder of Medical Billing Gurus 00:16:20 Picking the right insurance policy for you 00:25:15 The ABCs of your insurance policy (deductible, copay, etc) 00:44:54 The #1 mistake people make when they get a medical bill 00:51:40 Why are there so many errors with medical bills? 00:53:50 How to fight back against surprise charges & denials 00:57:20 The broken healthcare system 01:02:40 Insurance for functional/wholistic medicine 01:10:20 #1 Tip - ASK THE QUESTIONS! 01:13:10 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: UPDATE • ABC: https://flagship.shop/alexandrawildeson/products-v2/231581 • ABC: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12706973 #chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #medicalinsurance #medicalconditions #healthinsurance #medicalbillingservices #medicalbilling #medicalbillingcompany #healthinsuranceexplained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Calling in Sick, I share my how-to guide on navigating travel with a chronic illness. Travel is supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable break from “real life,” but when you’re dealing with a chronic illness, it can be incredibly overwhelming. From anxiety about how “able” you are, to internalized pressure on having the “perfect” get away, and realizing the impact of brain fog on planning… you are not alone in these worries! Not to forget the mental gymnastics of battling guilt for being stressed! If you want your next trip to go a bit smoother, look no further! Tune in to this week’s episode to hear what you need to pack in your suitcase versus your carry on and my top 5 most important things to travel with. You’ll leave this episode feeling more prepared and less anxious for your next trip. And as always, thanks for joining me for another Monday of Calling in Sick! xx, Alex Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:01:02 Alex’s Health Update 00:04:45 Alex’s Wellness Picks of the Week 00:09:00 Traveling with a Chronic Illness is stressful 00:15:15 How to pack for your trip 00:34:30 How to enjoy your trip 00:40:15 How to manage anxiety while traveling 00:45:45 How to manage if you over do it 00:47:10 Thank you for listening! Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ #chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #flareup #traveling #chronicillness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do I know for sure about chronic illness, you ask?? Literally NONE of it makes sense. As someone who’s been sick for 25 years, you think I would have it all perfectly figured out - what triggers me, what medications work for me, how to talk about my illness with other people - but NOPE, a lot of the time chronic illness still feels a bit like a mystery to me, so how are other people, especially those without chronic illness, supposed to get it?? From flare ups that appear out of nowhere to “doing everything right” and still getting knocked down, this episode dives into the chaos and contradictions of living with chronic illness. What I get into this week: ⚠️ How this past week’s flare up has totally rocked me and what’s next 🤕 My TOP 4 reasons that chronic illnesses just don’t make sense! ⛔️ The different things “flare up” can mean 📝 How I remind myself what healing a chronic disease really means  xx, Alex 💬 Comment: What’s something about your chronic illness that makes zero sense — but you’ve learned to live with anyway? Drop it below! TIMESTAMPS: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:00:44 Life catchup + what we are talking about this week 00:04:10 Alex’s Picks of the week (Conrad compression socks, Cadence travel containers) 4 Reasons Chronic Illnesses make NO sense: 00:07:01 The unpredictability of chronic illness 00:11:44 Why we can’t compare ourselves to other people (even if they have the same disease!!) 00:15:33 Why it feels like nobody fully understands chronic illness  00:16:20 How I define a flare-up 00:19:57 The goal of healing a chronic illness Conclusion: 00:24:51 One Brain Cell Show: Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition (Bravo) 00:26:45 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: The items that that are a must have for your go-bag (hospitals, infusions and travel)! ✨Comrad compression socks - https://go.shopmy.us/p-28820619 — use “ALEXWILDESON20” for 20% off at checkout!! ✨Cadence travel containers - https://go.shopmy.us/p-29547777 #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneLife #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #ChronicPain #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #ChronicIllnessDoesntMakeSense #DisabilityAwareness #LifeWithChronicIllness #ChronicPainRelief #FightingFatigue #SpoonieSupport #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #BrainFog #FlareUp #InvisibleDisability #AutoimmuneDisease #HealthJourney #WellnessMindset #SelfCareRoutine #HealingNotCured #ChronicIllnessAcceptance #RestIsProductive #ChronicWarrior #UnpredictableBody #MindBodyHealth #SpoonieTips #AutoimmuneCommunity  #ChronicIllnessSupport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I girlbossed too close to the sun 😵‍💫 (forcing a flare for diagnostics + having a little too much fun!!) — so I’m calling in sick for real this week and giving my body the rest it needs. While I take a breather (and a heating pad nap), I’m revisiting one of my all-time favorite episodes. This conversation with Dr. Zachary Spiritos, a neuro-gastro-immunologist and advocate for women’s health, changed the way I think about medicine, bias, and being believed. We talk about why so many women’s symptoms are dismissed, how to actually advocate for yourself in appointments, and what invisible illness really means. If you’ve ever been told “it’s all in your head” — this episode is your reminder that it’s not. What we cover: 🧠 Why women’s pain is often minimized or misdiagnosed ⚠️ How medical gaslighting shows up — and how to handle it 🥼 What real advocacy looks like in the doctor’s office 💩 The gut-health connection to chronic conditions 💬 Why “trust your body” isn’t just a phrase — it’s a survival skill Whether you’re fighting to be taken seriously, learning to listen to your body, or just craving validation that you’re not alone — this one still hits. Thanks for Calling in Sick with us 💛 xx, Alex Comment: What’s one thing you wish more doctors understood about women’s health? TIMESTAMPS:  Intro 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick!  00:02:15 Alex’s Picks Of the Week (IB Guard, Magnesium)  My Interview with Dr. Spiritos 00:03:45 Meet Dr. Zachary Spiritos & understanding neuro-gastro-immunology  00:24:48 Where the disparity in women’s health comes from 00:29:00 The reality of medical gaslighting and how to respond  00:44:33 How to advocate for yourself in appointments, and have success! Final Thoughts 00:47:34 What’s next for Dr. Zachary Spiritos  00:55:00 Dr. Zachary’s final recommendations 00:57:25 Thank you for listening!!!  ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/⁠ • TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod⁠ • Facebook -  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568⁠ • Substack -  ⁠https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- ⁠https://www.justmediahouse.com/⁠ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Episode Sponsor: LifeBoost Coffee! • First Time Customer (58% off): ⁠https://lifeboostcoffee.com/pages/healthy-coffee-ot2e-19-cp?ref=ALEXANDRAWILDESON⁠ • Subscribe and Save (Up to 48% off): ⁠https://lifeboostcoffee.com/pages/subscribe-save?ref=ALEXANDRAWILDESON⁠ Use code ALEXANDRA10 for 10% off!! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Alex’s Picks of the Week: This week's picks are for all my friends whose tummy hurts!! ✨IB Guard — ⁠ https://amzn.to/47nlDSC ✨Pure Encapsulation (Magnesium Supplementation) — ⁠ https://amzn.to/47nlHlk ---------------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillness #autoimmunedisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #spoonielife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney#DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #zachspiritos#neurology #gastroenterology #immunology #selfadvocacy #medicalbias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 25 years, I’m still constantly wondering if my childhood diagnosis is even right, which has a LOT of implications. Like am I taking the right meds, am I seeing the right doctors, why am I not feeling better. So when my doctors offered a *potential* way to get a more definitive answer, I was quick to say HELL YES…even though that meant literally making myself flare up. In this episode of Calling in Sick, I get real about what it’s like to go off your meds to try get that final, definitive answer. This week I talk about: What prompted the discussion of forcing a flare up & why I said OK What a RAPID prednisone taper is really like How my diagnostic tests are going, so far The toll this has taken on my mental health The TL;DR? After spending most of my life living in the grey without a clear diagnosis, I’m letting logic take a backseat to hope. If you’ve ever felt like a detective in your own body, chasing every clue and doing whatever it takes to uncover the truth, I think you’ll like this episode. As always, sending my love. xx, Alex Comment: Would you ever go off your meds to get a clearer diagnosis, or is that totally off limits? Drop your thoughts in the comments!!! I am dying to know if I’m the only one who would give a hell yes to this madness… TIMESTAMP: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!! 00:01:10 What today’s episode is really about 01:49 You’re invited to a Calling in Sick Vision Board Night!! - October 30 at 6pm CST 00:03:05 Alex’s Picks (Our Place Cookware Set, Zevo Fruit Fly Trap) I Forced the Flare: 00:05:18 What made me force a flare up 00:09:52 This is why I share the intimate stuff 00:10:05 Is it wrong to force a flare up?? 00:12:21 The real reason I said yes 00:13:32 What going off prednisone actually feels like 00:16:33 My colonoscopy experience + colonoscopy pro tips!! 00:23:30 All of this may be for…nothing Conclusion: 00:26:11 One Brain Cell Show: Is it Cake? (Netflix) 00:27:18 Where to follow along for test updates 00:27:25 Thanks for Calling in Sick! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: This week’s picks are coming straight from my house to yours - 2 of my current favorite nontoxic house items!! ✨Our Place Cookware Set - https://go.shopmy.us/p-28091714 ✨ Zevo Flying Insect Trap - https://go.shopmy.us/p-27239252 #CallingInSickPodcast #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneLife #ChronicPainCommunity #HealthJourney #FlareUp #LupusWarrior #MixedConnectiveTissueDisease #PrednisoneTaper #SpoonieHumor  #PatientAdvocate #SpoonieLife #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #SpoonTheory #ChronicIllnessAwareness #ChronicLife #HealthPodcast #ChronicIllnessPodcast #DisabilityAwareness #AlexWildeson #ChronicIllnessSupport #WellnessPodcast #SpoonieStories  #MedicalMystery #HealthAnxiety #IBDWarrior #AutoimmuneAwareness #PatientExperience  #LivingWithIllness #SpoonieStruggles #DiagnosisJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I sit down with Oli Mittermaier, Co-Founder of CIT clinics, to unpack how ketamine therapy is reshaping treatment for mental health and chronic pain. When we hear ketamine therapy, most of us have an immediate reaction: you might feel like it’s taboo and all you can think about is “drugs are BAD,” perhaps you’ve tried Ketamine therapy and it had a life changing impact on your health, or maybe you are genuinely curious what it is and how it can be used in a clinical setting and if you are a good candidate for it. No matter where you are coming from, if you listen with a bit of an open-mind, this episode is for you!   This week we dive into: My experience with Ketamine therapy The science behind how ketamine promotes neuroplasticity and healing What ketamine therapy is ACTUALLY like How to explore this therapeuritc for your own healing Tune in for a mind-expanding discussion! xx, Alex 💬 Comment: What’s one therapy, practice, or experience that actually surprised you in your healing journey? TIMESTAMP: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:00:07 What prompted me to try Ketamine therapy + my experience 00:07:21 Preconceived notions of Ketamine 00:10:19 Alex’s Picks (Relief Pack, CBD Living Roll-on) An Introduction to Ketamine Therapy: 00:12:10 Meet Ali Mittermaier - Oli’s story with Ketamine therapy 00:20:22 Mental health is more than just symptoms and a diagnosis 00:35:28 Oli’s 10 Non-Negotiatibles of Well-Being 00:41:26 Not every Ketamine therapy experience is equal 00:49:33 What Ketamine actually does to the brain + how it makes you feel 00:01:08 The future of Ketamine 01:10:46 How to know if you’re a good candidate  01:17:17 How to get involved even if you aren’t ready to try Ketamine therapy or do it somewhere different Conclusion: 01:17:17 Oli’s One Brain Cell Show & my One Brain Cell Show (Kurzgesagt) 00:38:22 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week My favorite 2 items that are always available for me ✨Relief Pack — https://www.releafpack.com/product-page/rock-on — 6ANN gives you a 25% discount at checkout! ✨CBD Living Roll-On — https://cbdliving.com/products/cbd-roll-on-freeze-1500-mg — I use the 1,500 mg CBD Roll-On Freeze #KetamineTherapy #PsychedelicMedicine #MentalHealthAwareness #ChronicPainRelief #Neuroplasticity #TraumaHealing #MindBodyConnection #CITClinics #HealingJourney #YouAreNotYourDiagnosis #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #SpoonieSupport #AnxietyHelp #DepressionRecovery #SelfCompassion #MindfulnessPractice #BrainHealth #PsychedelicHealing #AlternativeTherapies #HolisticHealth #IntegrativeMedicine #HealingFromWithin #ResilienceBuilding #KetamineForPTSD #ChronicPainCommunity #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaInformedCare #NeuroscienceOfHealing #StressRelief #WellnessPodcast #InnerPeace #ReframingHealing #HealingTrauma #AgencyOverAnxiety #MentalHealthInnovation #KetamineJourney #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Calling in Sick, I’m opening up about how being “a pleasure to have in class” growing up has morphed into a deep need to be a PERFECT patient!!! I share how I try get my therapist to laugh during appointments like I’m some stand-up comedian and why I love to hear “your so tough” like I’m a Navy Seal. The reality is that the clash of this constant need to people please mixed with my chronic illnesses has led me to….lie to my doctors. I come clean on the extents I’ve gone through to be perfect, how it’s backfired, and answer the subsequent, polarizing question: is it ever OK to lie to your doctor? Plus, I drop my TOP 3 TIPS for breaking free from “perfect patient” mode. If you’ve ever downplayed symptoms, performed for a laugh mid-appointment, or craved your provider’s approval… you’re not alone, and we can quit this very sick game together. So here’s to us, becoming not so perfect! xx, Alex 💬 Comment: Have you ever downplayed symptoms or lied to your doctor to seem like the ‘perfect patient’? Drop your confession below  TIMESTAMP: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:24:00 Clinical Study Update & The Surprise I pulled off this week!!! The Perfect Patient Trap & How to Escape it: 00:05:06 Qualities of a people-pleasing, perfect patient 00:06:03 Why I NEED to be the perfection patient 00:08:14 My recovery from people-pleasing 00:14:30 A story of how I lied to my doctor 00:16:55 3 tips to challenge your desire to be the perfect patient 00:19:20 Your permission to be imperfect Conclusion: 00:20:20 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Los Angeles Apparel, Soludos) 00:22:51 One Brain Cell Pick…for spooky season! (Haunted Hotel - Netflix) 00:25:18 Thanks for Calling in Sick with me! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: In honor of reminiscing this week for Saint Cooper’s birthday, here are my nostalgic picks for you!! ✨Los Angeles Apparel - https://go.shopmy.us/p-25899517 ✨Soludos - go.shopmy.us/p-27019178 #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #PerfectPatient #ChronicIllness #SpoonieSupport #SpoonieCommunity #ChronicLife #AutoimmuneDisease #InvisibleIllness #PeoplePleasing #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalGaslighting #HealthcareTips #DoctorVisits  #PatientEmpowerment #LyingToYourDoctor #MentalHealthMatters #ChronicPain #PatientStories #DoctorOfficeConfessions #RadicalAcceptance #AccountabilityMatters #TraumaHealing #TherapyHumor #PrednisoneLife #FlareUps #ChronicFatigue #IBD #InvisibleDisabilities #SpoonieSisters #HealthEquity #SelfAdvocacy #HonestPatient #PeoplePleaserRecovery  #HealthBoundaries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is “gut health” just another buzzy wellness trend, OR is it a real component of chronic illness that we may be able to change?? In this episode of Calling in Sick, I sit down with Dr. Stephanie Culler, microbiome PhD, cancer researcher, and co-founder/CEO of Persephone Biosciences, to cut through the hype and bring you the real Gut Microbiome 101. In this episode, we cover: 🌱 What the microbiome actually is (and how it develops from birth to adulthood) 💊 Why antibiotics aren’t always the enemy and how to recover after using them 🤓 The truth about “leaky gut,” gut dysbiosis, and what the gut–brain connection is 🦠 How microbiome diversity affects immunity, mood, inflammation, and even response to medications 💕 Which supplements are worth your money, and the 4 low-lift habits that actually improve gut health If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on with your, why gut talk is so buzzy, or if you can do something to help improve your gut… this is the episode you can’t miss. xx, Alex ** You can read more about Dr. Culler's groundbreaking, largest of it's kind, infant microbiome study, "My Baby Biome" here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-08274-7 💬 Comment: Fermented foods, fiber, or supplements: what’s your go-to for gut support? Share your routine in the comments! TIMESTAMP: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:03:45 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Persephone Biosciences Symbiotic, Hilma Fiber Supplement) 00:04:53 Introducing Dr. Stephanie Culler Gut Health 101: 00:07:21 What is the microbiome + why does it really matter? 00:12:28 Gut impact of antibiotics and how to make good bacteria thrive 00:20:46 Leaky Gut explained 00:28:33 Can you even improve an unhealthy microbiome? 00:42:46 4 lifestyle changes you can implement now to improve your gut Conclusion: 00:49:12 My takeaways from my own gut testing 00:51:31 Overview of a clinical study (where does funding come from and does it sway research?!) 00:57:40 Thank you to Dr. Stephanie Culler! 00:57:58 Episode wrap-up and how to stay in touch with Calling in Sick! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: These 2 supplements help me make sure that I am taking care of my gut health! ✨Persephone Biosciences Symbiotic: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26313246 ✨Hilma Fiber Supplement:  https://rebrand.ly/6tq0q7k —— Use code “ALEXANDRA20” for 20% off at checkout!! #GutHealth #GutMicrobiome #Microbiome101 #GutHealthMythBusting #ChronicIllnessCommunity #ChronicIllnessSupport #AutoimmuneHealth #RootCauseHealing #GutHealing #LeakyGutMyth #DigestiveHealth #GutBrainConnection #ImmuneHealth #HormoneHealth #HolisticHealing #GutReset #HealthyHabits #WellnessJourney #MindBodyConnection #MicrobiomeResearch #HealthAndWellness #SelfCareTips #MicrobiomeFacts #GutHealthTips #InflammationRelief #ChronicIllnessLife #AutoimmuneWarrior #HealthyGutHealthyLife #DigestiveWellness #SpoonieSupport #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, Cooper joins me to chat all things prednisone… because prednisone isn’t just hard on the person taking it, it’s a full-on rollercoaster for the people around them too!! After more than a decade of riding out meltdowns, bickers, and plenty of learning curves, we are pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to survive prednisone together. Coop shares his POV on what prednisone is really like... from my not-so-cute mood swings, overstimulation meltdowns, and guilt spirals to our top 4 tips that have kept our relationship steady throughout it all. Tune in to hear: ⭐ Cooper’s number one rule for when I’m on prednisone (hint hint… anticipation is key!!) 💊 How we came up with “Victoria” and why personifying prednisone has changed everything ✨ Why being vulnerable and having open communication is critical ⚠️ My biggest lesson about being prednisone and taking accountability If you or someone you love is on prednisone, this episode is your field guide to supporting them, without losing your sanity (or your relationship). Save it, share it, and breathe easier knowing you’re not alone in this. xx, Alex & Coops 💬 Comment: What’s the funniest fight you’ve got into while on prednisone?! TIMESTAMPS: Intro: 00:00:11 Welcome back to Calling in Sick and welcome to Saint Cooper! 00:1:35 Story time… this week’s Prednisone rage 00:04:15 Life catch up A Loved One’s Guide to Prednisone: 00:5:14 Why I say yes to Prednisone 00:10:22 Our experience on Prednisone  00:13:11: Tip 1 - Give Prednisone a name 00:19:10 Tip 2 - Practice regulation…amidst the roid rage 00:27:13 Tip 3 - Communicate openly 00:29:32 Tip 4 - Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate! 00:33:05 Recapping Cooper’s Tips Conclusion: 00:34:44 Alex’s Picks of the Week (The Absorption Company, Ion Layer) 00:39:00 One Brain Cell Movie… KPop Demon Hunters (duh!!!!!) 00:41:15 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: Since prednisone makes sleeping, eating and hydrating tricky, I’m sharing my newest supplement obsessions!! These picks have found the *best* routes for absorption, so you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck. Enjoy!!! ✨The Absorption Company — https://go.shopmy.us/p-25813864 —> Their sleep supplement is *amazing* and actually works!! Scientific patent that allows us to absorb 5x the amount of the product (higher bioavailability is GREAT!) ✨Ion Layer — https://ionlayer.com/AWILDESON —> Get all the benefits of an IV vitamin infusion, at home… without any pokes and a quarter of the price!! —> EXCLUSIVE 3 DAY SALE (9/22-9/24)… get $150 off Ion Layer Patches (NAD+, B1, Vitamin C and Glutathione) with code AWILDESON150 #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson  #Prednisone #PrednisoneSideEffects #SteroidTreatment #SteroidSideEffects #PrednisoneMoodSwings #PrednisoneProblems #ChronicIllnessCommunity #ChronicIllnessLife #ChronicIllnessSupport #InvisibleIllness #CaregiverLife #CaregiverSupport #PartnerSupport #LoveThroughIllness  #ChronicLife #ChronicIllnessWarrior #AutoimmuneLife #SpoonieLife #MentalHealthAwareness #MoodSwings #AnxietySupport #CopingWithChronicIllness #SurvivalGuide #SelfCareTips #MindBodyConnection #PrednisoneTaper #SupportSystem #LifeOnPrednisone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m showing up mad. After almost two years of flaring, I’m starting to wonder if this maybe isn’t just a flare anymore… maybe it’s my new normal. And with that comes the worry that my current medical protocol is failing. THAT is a brutal, frustrating, gut-punch of a realization. Although I am usually a pretty positive gal, I know that anger has its place in any chronic illness journey. Anger is valid, it’s messy, and it can even be productive. So this week I’m sharing the reality of my flare, the “Sophie’s choice” of next steps my doctors and I are weighing, and why this timeline impact is breaking my heart. We’re diving into: 🔥 What it feels like to be stuck in flare limbo: blip vs. starting over from square one 👩‍⚕️ The impossible decisions between steroids, testing, and “AMA” moments 💔 Why shifting motherhood timelines hurts so much… and why I hope is pushing me forward 🌱 My solulu for sitting with anger, finding joy in small glimmers, and controlling what I can If you’ve ever been mad at your body, mad at the system, or mad at the endless waiting, this episode is your permission slip to say it out loud, feel it fully, and then keep going. xx, Alex Comment: What’s one way you’ve learned to sit with your frustration during flares? Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!  00:07:47 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Boka, Camp Snap Camera) 00:11:25 What a flare up looks like for me 00:15:20 The impossible decisions between steroids, testing, and “AMA” moments 00:25:18 My solution for sitting with anger, finding joy in small glimmers, and controlling what I can 00:27:55 One Brain Cell Show: Love Thy Nader  00:31:10 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: How to get pearly white teeth for any camera-ready moment!!! ✨Snap Camera - go.shopmy.us/p-25209103 ($70; shopmy) ✨Boka Toothpaste - https://amzn.to/3K1j7JW ($12; amazon) #ChronicIllness #FlareLife #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #SpoonieLife #AngerIsValid #MotherhoodJourney #HealthJourney #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #MedicalGaslighting #SpoonieSupport #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #RadicalAcceptance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DESCRIPTION: This week on Calling in Sick, we’re celebrating a big milestone — ONE YEAR of the podcast! I share why I started this show, what I’ve learned, and how this community has changed me in ways I didn’t expect. We’re diving into: ⭐ Why I launched Calling in Sick and how this community has healed parts of me I didn’t know needed it ⚡ What I’ve learned about identity, ambition, and practicing what I preach 💡 The limiting beliefs I’ve broken up with and the new mantras that carry me through 🌹 My roses & thorns from year one and what I’m excited for in year two Whether you’ve been here since day one or just found the pod, this episode is my love letter to you. Thank you for being part of this community, for sharing your stories, and for calling in with me on the good and tough days. Onwards! xx, Alex 💬 Comment: What’s one thing this podcast has helped you feel or realize in the last year? TIMESTAMPS: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:00:50 Alex’s Weekly Update (an ER trip & my TV debut with Born Different) 00:05:02 Alex’s Picks of the Week (top 4 favorites of the year) Calling in Sick: Year 1 Review 00:09:19 Why I started Calling in Sick 00:13:48 The biggest lessons I’ve learned through the podcast 00:23:08 What I wish I could tell myself one year ago today 00:26:15 What’s ahead for Calling in Sick in year two Conclusion: 00:27:58 One Brain Cell TV: The Netflix hack you NEED & my favorite shows across 5 different streaming platforms 00:32:59 Thanks so much for listening!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: Every week, I share a few of my favorite items that make life a little bit better or happier… from sweat sets to wellness tech to clean beauty picks and supplements. But if I *had* to boil it down to just 4 picks... I’d tell you to try THESE 4 things out! ✨ DIVI hair serum & dry shampoo; https://go.shopmy.us/p-21829164 —> ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off ✨ Tilt lip treatment; https://go.shopmy.us/p-24773396 —> ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off ✨ Perelel Green Powder; https://go.shopmy.us/p-24773343 —> ALEXANDRA for 15% off ✨ HigherDose PEMF Mat; https://go.shopmy.us/p-21829252 —> ALEXANDRA for 15% off  #CallingInSickPodcast #ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #MedicalGaslighting #HealthJourney #PodcastAnniversary #OneYearIn #CommunityHealing #PatientAdvocacy #SickButThriving #MentalHealth #LifeWithChronicIllness #SpoonieSupport #AlexWildeson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices