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Forcing a Chronic Illness Flare Up: Why I Stopped My Meds on Purpose

Forcing a Chronic Illness Flare Up: Why I Stopped My Meds on Purpose

Update: 2025-10-20
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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!


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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

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Forcing a Chronic Illness Flare Up: Why I Stopped My Meds on Purpose

Forcing a Chronic Illness Flare Up: Why I Stopped My Meds on Purpose

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