chronic illness Archives

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Ali DiGiacomo On Spoonies Being Accused of Using Illness for Likes and Views

A few years ago, Ali DiGiacomo was shocked to discover her face on a Daily Mail article called ‘Addicted to being sad: Teenage girls with invisible illnesses – known as ‘Spoonies’ – post TikToks of themselves crying or in hospital to generate thousands of likes – as experts raise concerns Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 2 weeksJuly 10, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Demystifying Functional Neurological Disorder: Sydney’s Story

Sydney Anne Bennett lives with functional neurological disorder (FND), which is a condition where the brain doesn’t communicate properly with the nervous system. Sydney’s symptoms include chronic pain, hallucinations, loss of taste, trouble sleeping, hand paralysis, seizures, ataxia, muscle spasms, fatigue, and difficulty using her legs. Consequently, after a year Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 1 monthJune 19, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Kenny Returns to Major Pain With New Diagnoses and a New Outlook

Kenny Alhadeff first appeared on the Major Pain podcast 3 years ago, sharing his experiences living in recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism. This year Kenny will celebrate his 40th year of sobriety. Since first appearing on the show Kenny has experienced the most intense chronic pain of his life, Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 2 monthsMay 15, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Managing Somatic Symptom Disorder Inside a Multitude of Chronic Illnesses

Colby has 11 chronic illness and mental health diagnoses. These include chronic pain (currently diagnosed as fibromyalgia), PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), asthma, IBS, eczema, PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD and somatic symptom disorder. That last diagnosis might be the least well-known of Colby’s illnesses. According to psychiatry.org, “somatic symptom disorder Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 4 monthsMarch 27, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

The Testing Is Not Definitive – Cassie’s Pain Journey

Cassie sums up her chronic pain situation by saying, “we know there’s something wrong but we can’t put a name to it because the testing is not definitive.” She experiences chronic joint pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog and arthritic damage with no evidence of inflammation on her imaging. Doctors have Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 6 monthsJanuary 17, 2024 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

How Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Became Andrea’s Path to Empowerment

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis refers to an onset of autoimmune arthritis at a young age, which happened to Andrea when she was just 10 years old. She had been experiencing severe TMJ, wrist and knee pain, but doctors did not realize she had juvenile RA throughout her childhood. She was finally Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 7 monthsDecember 27, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Chanda Hinton, Founder of the Chanda Center for Health, Tells Her Incredible Story

When Chanda Hinton was 9 years old she suffered a spinal cord injury due to an accidental discharge of a firearm. This moment would forever alter the course of her life, but looking back, Chanda isn’t sure she would change anything. Her work as a disability advocate has altered countless Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 8 monthsDecember 6, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Meet the Stimpunks, Supporting Neurodivergent and Disabled Individuals Directly

The Stimpunks Foundation exists for the direct support and mutual aid of neurodivergent and disabled people. Oftentimes that can look as simple as just giving people cash, as studies have shown that no strings attached financial aid is one of the most effective ways to prop up individuals in need. Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 8 monthsNovember 15, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Jessy’s Disabling Mystery Illness

Jessy has been living with a disabling mystery illness that has turned his life upside down. He experiences extreme fatigue, brain fog, tremors and intense pain. His body has become so unreliable that he requires a wheelchair to navigate the world. And yet, his doctors have no idea what is Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 9 monthsOctober 25, 2023 ago

Major Pain Podcast Episodes

Opening Up About Mental Health: Rachel Guyer-Mafune on Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Bipolar Disorder

This week on the Major Pain podcast, Seattle based performer Rachel Guyer-Mafune discusses her history with mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD and bipolar disorder. Although she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in freshman year of college, she is only now beginning to open up about this diagnosis publicly. Read more…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By Major Pain Podcast, 9 monthsOctober 18, 2023 ago