On this week’s program, living with inflammatory bowel disease and the associated challenges from uncomfortable symptoms to stigma and shame. A patient shares her experience navigating ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and multiple surgeries including an ostomy. She reveals how public scrutiny, bathroom access and assumptions about “looking sick” affect her emotionally. Dr. Joe Sirven also speaks with a patient who experienced debilitating symptoms for years before receiving a proper diagnosis because he wasn’t believed. Together, they explore how race, gender and bias shape medical care.
Guests: Brooke and Cedric, patients with IBD
Then, after developing unexplained symptoms and being misdiagnosed and dismissed as a patient, a seasoned emergency room physician was ultimately diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. This experience compelled her to confront how often the health care system fails to truly listen to patients, leading her to study skills she believes will help patients navigate a complex medical system. She reflects on the importance of self-advocacy and offers guidance for patients who don’t feel heard by their medical providers.
Guest: Dr. Laura Gabayan, award-winning physician-researcher and author of Common Wisdom