How to Advocate for Yourself

We all know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results – that is what it can feel like to navigate today’s healthcare system. If you are used to hearing “All of your lab results are normal,” and “Maybe you are just depressed,” I am right there with you, sister!  

In the past 22 years, I have heard these things so many times that I started to believe this really was all in my head.  BUT…after speaking with so many others with CFS and finding this amazing (life-changing) podcast (The Chronic Fatigue and Recovery Podcast) I am back on a mission to find MY root cause and heal my body from a cellular level.  

Here are some things to keep in mind when you get into the diagnosis merry-go-round:

  1. It is NOT all in your head

There is an entire community of Mombies just like you who know that there is something wrong with their biology and they aren’t just “tired.” Chronic illness and auto-immune disorders are tricky little devils that are extremely complex and most of them do not heal overnight.  There is no timeline for healing and as hard as it is (trust me, I know) we need to be patient and give ourselves GRACE through the process of guess and check.

  1. Listen to your body

No one understands your body better than you.  It may be a good idea to keep track of your symptoms daily by journaling, so you can monitor any changes or patterns. I also find it helpful to track my period and the symptoms around it as well.  Journaling doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful, simply using “notes” on my iPhone or a simple pen/paper  is what I have found easiest.  You may also want to keep a running history of your health story.

  1. Be prepared and come with data and questions

Sometimes it is hard to remember that doctors are human too and they are trying to do their best just like we are.  Since we often only have a few minutes with our practitioners, I find it to be helpful to have a copy of my medical history, past lab results, a list of current supplements and medications, and suggestions for what I feel may be the root cause of my concerns.  This will help save time and will give your provider a big-picture view of your health journey and what your current diagnoses are & things you’ve ruled out.

  1. We can learn something from every experience

I have spent thousands of dollars on different treatments and programs and I am still not 100% better, or even 80%.  Instead of being bitter and thinking of these investments as failures, I am taking little nuggets from each of them (i.e. introducing electrolytes, incorporating more bone broth, continuing with brain training, supporting my adrenals, cutting out gluten and dairy, etc.) At some point, all of the little pearls of wisdom I have gathered along the way will add up to help me heal completely.

  1. Try someone new

If you have hit a wall with your current provider and you don’t feel like they are listening or are able to help you anymore, try someone new.  I know that when you are exhausted the thought of having to “start over” with someone else can feel daunting, but take a good nap and then get back on the horse 🙂 I have left doctor’s offices crying from them not understanding me, and then crying when they finally do. Just like when dating, when you find the right one, you will know, and it will feel like an elephant has been lifted off your shoulders because you don’t have to do it alone anymore!

  1. There is a community of CFS advocates and a lot of them have free resources

Here are the some that I recommend:

Together in healing 💜