Beyond Your Diagnosis

After becoming incredibly sick with POTS herself, Dr. Diana worked to find the root cause and treat not only herself but her patients. Dr. Diana has discovered a unique approach to treating POTS patients (hint: it’s not all about the vagus nerve!) and the information in this episode may just blow your mind. She’s developed her own supplement line to help treat POTS and chronic illness patients. Dr. Diana Driscoll runs POTS Care in Texas and works hard to help others with chronic illness heal. She is constantly staying on top of the latest research and completing research herself to learn more about how to aid patient healing.Websites:To order Parasym PlusTM:https://vagusnervesupport.com/vagus-nerve-support-parasym-plus/To order products all discussed on this podcast:https://vagusnervesupport.com/?rfsn=3149080.a87362**Use beyond10 for 10% off of all supplements at check out**Clinic: www.POTSCare.comThe only clinic dedicated to treating the underlying medical causes of POTS -- not just the symptoms.Social Media:https://www.facebook.com/potscarehttps://www.facebook.com/ParasymPlusGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub

Today we share some personal health updates plus discuss the future of this podcast. We appreciate all your support and will be taking a little time to streamline our podcasting experience. Thanks for bearing with us over the last year as we produce this new project and work to build this community. Make sure you are following us on Instagram so you can stay up to date and join our supportive chronic illness community!Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We have Erika on the episode today! Erika brings her passion and energy (and MANY truth bombs) to BYD to talk all about her challenging journey with type 1 diabetes. She dives into how her chronic illness has changed her life and why loving yourself EXACTLY how you are is the cornerstone of happiness. Through her experiences as a teenager and her continued balancing act with type 1 diabetes, Erika uses her past and present experience to help others live their best through her online chronic confidence program. Contact Erika below if you're interested in joining her confidence-building program, or if you're looking for a daily dose of inspiration and real talk: Instagram: @erikaarff (confidence coaching)@BoroughDesignsGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

On today’s episode, we’re connecting with a Fibromyalgia, RA and Sjogren's warrior who is about to travel the world - regardless of how many Humira pens she has to pack! Join along as we talk to Mea - a recent graduate of Concordia University in Texas - about her plans to become a nurse, her tips on getting through the rough days with multiple illnesses, her Project Brave Bracelet, and of course, her decision to sign on to an upcoming trip to 10 different countries.... by ship! You can find Mea on Instagram: @MeaByTheSea and @MeaOnTheSeaGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Have you heard of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?On today’s episode, we’re connecting with Holly Frances to learn about this rare and life-threatening Syndrome. Holly is the author of “Happily Ever After”, her comeback story after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome weeks after giving birth to her daughter. Listen along as she opens up about overcoming the impossible while spending three months in ICU on life support. She is the face behind Holly After GBS, a social media community she created on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube where she connects with other survivors around the world. She shares her journey to remind others to never ever give up and to always remember that we are so much stronger than we think. Get in touch with Holly: GBS survivor to Happily Ever AfterViral YouTube video: https://youtu.be/huN8iIWXNCsWebsite: www.hollyaftergbs.comFacebook: Holly After GBSInstagram: @hollyaftergbsGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We’ve both dealt with comparing ourselves and feeling jealous of our non-chronic illness friends who are achieving the goals we thought we’d be doing. We are sure many of you have felt the same. It’s hard to handle feeling stuck due to chronic illness.In this episode, we discuss our experiences with jealousy and comparison and how we’ve handled it. We also touch on the idea of having to redefine yourself once you get sick since many of your hobbies and goals may have to change. We hope this episode provides comfort in knowing that it’s totally normal to have these feelings and you’re not alone. There are so many obstacles in life in general, but they can feel amplified when dealing with chronic illness. We’ll figure out a way to get through all of this together. Don’t forget to join our Instagram family so that we can all help support each other through the tough times (and the good ones)!The book Victoria was referring to: The Power of Now by Eckhart TolleGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: This podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Beth O’Hara, Functional Naturopath, joins us again this week to discuss the root causes of chronic immune conditions and how Mast Cell Activation Syndrome plays into many chronic health conditions. Beth shares the major root causes of chronic immune conditions, the role of genetics, and how we can support our immune systems best.We really break down the different branches of the immune system and all the ways the immune system can be impacted. Beth specializes in functional genomic analysis and shares some really great information in today’s episode about the impact of genetics on our health plus why it’s important to know about your genetics for ultimate healing. We also chat about why going hard and fast in treatment isn’t always best. Lastly, we discuss the importance and impact of a functional and well-rounded approach to working with patients and how that is different from standard Western medicine.Beth originally joined us in Episode 41, so be sure to check out last week’s episode for even more amazing info from Beth!Links Beth mentioned in the episode:Free Report: https://mastcell360.com/freereport/Air and Water Filters: https://mastcell360.com/mcas-resources/Connect with Beth:Website: www.mastcell360.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MastCell360 Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Beth O’Hara, Functional Naturopath, joins us to discuss Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in depth today. We learn the difference between Histamine Intolerance, MCAS, and Mastocytosis. Plus why treatment can be so complex and how to find the root cause. Beth discusses the connection between MCAS and other chronic illness diagnoses (like EDS, POTS, fibromyalgia, etc). We finish by reviewing Derek and Victoria’s Organic Acids Test results and learn how the OAT test can help patients in their healing journey. Beth has founded her own Functional Naturopathy Practice- Mast Cell 360- designed to be the dream practice she wishes she had when she was sick. She looks at patients as a whole, including the mental health aspect. If you are listening to this when it comes out (July 17th), Beth is offering a great discount to all our listeners for the week from July 17th-July 24th 2019. You can schedule a case review with OAT test included for $50 off at www.mastcell360.com/podcastLinks Beth mentioned in the episode:Free Report: https://mastcell360.com/freereport/Histamine Food List: https://mastcell360.com/mcas-resources/Connect with Beth:Website: www.mastcell360.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MastCell360 Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

On today's episode, we're connecting with Ijmal Haider and Krista Deveau to talk all about hospital stays. Krista was diagnosed with Crohn's at age 9 and just recently became an ostomate. Ijmal - a returning guest - was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2016. Join along as we talk to Krista and ijmal about the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to E.R visits and scheduled surgeries. You won't want to miss their tips and ideas on preparing and getting through a hospital stay. What has your hospital experience been like? Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.We welcome Dr. Gordon Pedersen to the podcast today. He is board certified in Anti-Aging Medicine, with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, and Ph.D. degrees in Immunology and Medical Biology from the Toxicology program at Utah State University and a Master’s Degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness. He is also the Medical Director of The Silver Health Institute. He shares his story on how and why he got into medicine, his belief on how the body can heal if given the right tools, and the value of both holistic and Western medicine. We dive into the topics of supporting the immune system, gut health, and the use of silver in healing chronic health conditions. We talk about the different forms of silver, what’s best, safety, and how it works. This was a really interesting episode to learn about a different approach to chronic illness and we hope you enjoy!Connect with Dr. Pedersen:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdoctorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedersengordon/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/drpedersenWebsite: https://mydoctorsuggests.comGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme / @theinfluencehealth and Derek @chronicloveclub.

*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.Do you have a genetic disorder? Genetics is a complex yet fascinating topic and we’re diving into genetic chronic diseases today. More specifically, we are going to be talking about Derek’s genetic disorder and why it took so long to get diagnosed if it’s genetic.Derek has a rare genetic disorder called TRAPS. We discuss the complexity of this illness, symptoms, and treatment for auto-inflammatory disorders. Join us in today’s episode to learn more about Derek and the rare disease he has!Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub

Sometimes we need a break from our greatest stressors in life. And for many of us, chronic illness is an ever-present and constant stressor. We love being involved in the chronic illness community and raising awareness, but it can be exhausting and draining, too.In today’s episode, we discuss the idea of taking a step back from the chronic illness community. We have to live with our health issues daily, but seeing everyone else post about illness can be extra draining and cause us to constantly be pulled into it rather than moving forward in healing. We dive deep into why taking breaks is important, how we do that and set boundaries around our health, plus share how we can all support each other a little better within the community.We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so be sure to head to Instagram or shoot us an email with your takeaways from today! Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We are tackling the topic of dating with a chronic illness! We share some of our own experiences and thoughts around this topic as well as answer your questions about dating with health issues. We cover when to talk to someone about your health, how to have the discussion, dealing with canceling plans, and date ideas when you have limited energy. We know this topic can be complex and we’d love to hear about your thoughts and experiences, so be sure to share those with us after listening to this episode.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme / @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub.*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Short and sweet; we're beyond grateful for all of our listeners - both new and old - for the continued support and encouragement. We just wanted to take a min and thank our listeners while providing a glimpse into future episodes. Hope everyone is excited for what's to come! Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub.*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

On today’s episode, Whitney - who is a returning guest - and Derek will be opening up about their past and present struggles of dealing with a chronic skin condition called Psoriasis. Listen along as they talk about how they were diagnosed, what medications have worked and what they’ve learned during the last decade of living with a visible and sometimes debilitating skin disorder. Click the link below to listen to our past episode with Whitney! She shares her journey with two forms of psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and crohn’s disease while still being a top athlete. Whitney is truly inspiring and continues to train for races with a J-pouch.Click here to listen: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vxl8xqisvr7vu22/EpWhitneyFinal.mp3?dl=0*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

In honor of Lyme Disease Awareness Month (May), we have a special guest on today’s episode. Dr. Julia Greenspan is a Naturopathic Lyme Literate Specialist who runs Greenhouse Naturopathic Medicine and is the author of Rising Above Lyme Disease. She uses an integrative approach to treating tick-borne infections, addressing the entire body and mind.We talk with Dr. Greenspan about how she got into treating Lyme, what Lyme disease is, how it can become a chronic infection, and how to protect yourself. We also dive deep into the controversy surrounding chronic Lyme, how Dr. Greenspan addresses treatment, and the mental and emotional pieces of healing from chronic infection.Be sure to check our Instagram today as we are hosting a giveaway of Dr. Greenspan’s book! Dr. Julia Greenspan’s website: http://www.greenhousemedicine.com Rising Above Lyme book: https://amzn.to/2W1PgXb Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Both of us have begun working again this year! In this episode, we break down our work history, our current jobs, how we determined it was the right time to start working again, and how we manage work with chronic illness. We, of course, provide our tips for finding a job and working while dealing with chronic illness too. We can’t wait to hear your feedback! Let us know your thoughts about this episode on Instagram.Victoria’s business:www.theinfluencehealth.comInstagram: @theinfluencehealthThe freelance website we mentioned: https://www.fiverr.comGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

WELCOME TO OUR PODCAST! We’re excited that you’re here. Today is a short episode that will introduce you to us, our illnesses, and how this podcast was born. We will also give you a short rundown of what we'll be talking about.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address.We'd love a review. Don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on! Thank you!Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Christina runs an incredible gluten-free and autoimmune friendly blog. She shares all about her travels and provides food and lifestyle guides for those with food restrictions. As someone with Celiac disease and multiple chronic illnesses herself, Christina is a master at traveling with health conditions and finding the best food. She is also a licensed psychotherapist and life coach. We had a blast talking with Christina about how she got into lifestyle blogging, her epic travels and making life work with food allergies and chronic illness. Christina has done so much in her life despite chronic illness, we think you’ll find her both motivating and reassuring about how to adjust life when you have health issues.How to get in touch with Christina:Instagram: @buenqamino and @beginwithintoday and @golden.erimoshttps://www.buenqamino.comwww.twitter.com/buenqaminowww.beginwithintoday.comwww.christinakantzavelos.comGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Both of us recently traveled for the first time in a while and we wanted to share our experiences and advice for traveling with chronic illness. Victoria traveled locally while Derek traveled internationally. We discuss traveling with medications, how to manage symptoms while away from home, and ways to make the trip as smooth as possible when dealing with health issues.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme / @theinfluencehealth and Derek @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We had such an awesome time chatting with Whitney in this episode about all things health related. We discussed mental health, utilizing food as medicine, and tools for shifting your lifestyle to be more supportive of healing. Whitney has an amazing story and shares valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.Whitney is a Nutritional Therapy Consultant who guides women through diet and lifestyle changes that aid in their healing process. She runs a blog and Instagram geared towards healing autoimmune disease and approaches healing in a holistic, loving way.How to get in touch with Whitney:Instagram: @rooted.in.healingBlog: rootedinhealing.net/Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Victoria chats with Kresenda Keith today who shares her story as a competitive athlete with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Kresenda is working to be the first Strong(wo)man with EDS. She shares how she got into lifting and how she competes as an athlete with disabilities.By the time this episode airs, Kresenda has completed her first competition. She placed 3rd! Be sure to follow her journey on Instagram.How to get in touch with Kresenda:Instagram: @eds_athleteGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme @theinfluencehealth and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.Many of us often feel alone and isolated when dealing with a chronic illness, especially when no one around us understands our daily struggles. In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of loneliness and isolation. Tune in to listen to our experiences with these feelings and how we’ve managed to work through moments of isolation and sadness. We finish the episode with tips and advice on how to combat these challenging times. Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub

[REPOST] On today's episode, we're talking about the process of accepting that you’re living with a chronic illness and the process of grief that may come with that. What does the word “chronic” mean to us? How does that differ for each person? And how do you come to a place of accepting your illness and where you’re at in life (compared to others)?We share our experiences navigating acceptance of our own illnesses and all the emotions that have come along with that. We finish the episode by sharing our top tips for how to work on accepting your life with chronic illness.Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Not only are we tackling the topic of body image in today’s episode, but the topic of body image with chronic illness. Having a chronic illness can take a toll on your body for a number of reasons and that can mess with our self-confidence and how we view our bodies. We’re taking on the impact that social media and advertising has on body image and how health issues feel like they add an extra layer of stress.We share our personal body image stories, how chronic illness has impacted how we view our bodies, and how we’ve worked on self confidence. We also share our top tips for building body confidence and for not feeling like you need to or are supposed to look a certain way and live a certain life to be healthy.The book Victoria mentioned: My Body is not an Apology by Sonya Renee TaylorGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We have Roy George on the episode with us today! Roy is an incredible and hilarious human who’s dealt with chronic illness since he was a baby. We chat with Roy about his experiences with an ostomy bag, how he manages working full time while dealing with chronic illness, and his podcast. We also chat with him about the difference between being born with your chronic illness and getting sick later in life. When you get sick later in life, you have to adjust to a new way of living with your health conditions. Roy never had to make adjustments since this is all he’s ever known. It’s interesting to hear his perspective and we’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic over on our social media! Get in touch with Roy:Twitter:@roysamuelgeorge@ttbwithroy@spoons4dayz Facebook:Roy S. George Triple Threats & Beyond Instagram:@roysamuelgeorge @triplethreatsandbeyond@sbs_spoonie123 Website:www.roygeorge.net Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We posted a question sticker on our Instagram (@beyondyourdiagnosis) and Victoria’s Instagram (@lemonsnlyme) so you could submit all your burning questions! We got a lot so we broke this into two episodes.This is part 2 where we answer tough questions like dealing with those who say your illness is in your head, dealing with flares and our diagnoses. Then some fun questions about our music and movie tastes, personal growth, and experience with the podcast so far.Derek's book selection - Coming Alive: 4 Tools to Defeat Your Inner Enemy by Barry Michels and Phil StutzListen to last week's episode if you missed part 1: CLICK ME! Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We posted a question sticker on our Instagram (@beyondyourdiagnosis) and Victoria’s Instagram (@lemonsnlyme) so you could submit all your burning questions! We got a lot so we broke this into two episodes.This is part 1 where we answer some serious questions about handling being undiagnosed, dealing with doctors, and disability, but also some more fun, light hearted questions.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Derek discusses some frustrations he’s having with gaining a new treatment. He’s been feeling impatient waiting to hear about changes in his medication. This brings us to discussing how, despite the number of years of dealing with illness, both of us still struggle with this journey. We break down the various emotions that arise while dealing with health struggles, doctors, and going through different treatments.We walk through our steps for dealing with impatience and frustration that arises when dealing with long term health issues. Developing patience when dealing with chronic illness is both hard but necessary. This journey teaches us a lot of lessons J.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We have a great interview with Whitney today! She shares her journey dealing with two forms of psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and crohn’s disease while still being a top athlete. Whitney is truly inspiring, training for races with a J-pouch and dealing with limitations as a result of her illnesses. We cover some really important topics and encourage everyone to listen to this episode… maybe even a couple of times.With Whitney, we discuss the idea of diet and lifestyle changes vs. medication in treating disease and why the chronic illness community needs to be more supportive. Then we dive into Whitney’s athletic journey and how she manages training with chronic health conditions. We have a conversation about how to incorporate exercise with chronic illness and why it’s important to still get movement in even when you’re sick.Connect with Whitney:Instagram: @theincompleteathleteGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub *Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.Many of us often feel alone and isolated when dealing with a chronic illness, especially when no one around us understands our daily struggles. In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of loneliness and isolation. Tune in to listen to our experiences with these feelings and how we’ve managed to work through moments of isolation and sadness. We finish the episode with tips and advice on how to combat these challenging times. Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub

*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.Derek interviews Ijmal Haider about how he manages two businesses and multiple projects while battling ulcerative colitis. Ijmal shares his chronic illness story and how that motivated him to start Razi Blog and his YouTube channel.Ijmal really wanted to be a light in the chronic illness community. He still shares the highs AND lows, but wanted to create space for positivity when battling challenges like chronic illness. The outlets he’s created to do this are amazing and we think you’ll really enjoy hearing about it in this episode.Ijmal also shares his tips for how to manage chronic illness with work or school and how to take those steps back into “real life”. He discusses resources that spoonies can access and then we dive into how his new foundation, Hidden Spoons, provides support for those within the chronic illness community.Connect with Ijmal:Instagram: @raziblogYouTube: Help Us YYCHidden Spoons Foundation Instagram: @hidden.spoonsGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub

We know, it’s already two weeks into January, but we are talking about 2018 and the New Year. We recap our last year from everything we learned, what we’re thankful for, and how we’ve grown. We break down how much 2018 was a breakthrough year for both of us.Then we dive into our goals for 2019 and what we are excited about. We both have started some amazing projects over the last couple years and we can’t wait to watch those grow. Victoria launched her own business, The Influence Health. Derek grew the amazing Chronic Love Club with Michelle. 2018 was a big year for both of us and we know that will continue this year. How was your 2018? Check out our Facebook or Instagram and leave us a comment about today’s episode.Victoria’s new business:Website: www.theinfluencehealth.comInstagram: @theinfluencehealthGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclubAnd don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We are so excited for this interview with one of our good friends Danie Van Kay, all the way from Amsterdam. Like Victoria, Danie also suffers from chronic Lyme disease. She also has recovered from a severe eating disorder. Today, Danie shares her story with us, discusses how body image issues are intertwined with chronic illness, and how she has worked on recovery. We discuss food restrictions related to chronic illness and how to handle healing your relationship with food while struggling with chronic illness. Danie is an Eating Disorder and Invisible Chronic Illness Recovery Coach. Having dealt with both and found a way to heal, she works to help others in their recovery journey. If you are struggling, Danie would be an amazing coach to have on your team.Connect with Danie:Website: www.danievankay.comInstagram: @daniellevankayYouTube: Danie Van KayGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclubAnd don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

This week we have Rachel Zinman on the podcast to talk about her experience with Type I Diabetes and how yoga has played a huge role in her life and disease management. Rachel has been a yoga teacher for over 20 years and has written the amazing book Yoga for Diabetes. She talks with us about how yoga can help in chronic illness management and in learning to live life with health issues.Rachel shares how she works with chronic illness patients, how yoga IS for everyone, how to find the right type of yoga for you, and breaks down some of the ways in which yoga improves our immunity. We discuss how to make movement part of your routine when it feels hard as a chronic illness patient. Stay tuned for the end, where Rachel walks us through a live breathing technique that is incredibly calming and healing.Connect with Rachel:Website and Blog http://www.yogafordiabetesblog.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/yogafordiabetesblog/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yogafordiabetesblog/Twitter http://twitter.com/yoga4diabetesYou Tube https://www.youtube.com/yogafordiabetes Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclubAnd don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Please be aware today’s episode gets deep. We do provide a trigger warning at the beginning of the episode. Reach out if you need help or listen to this episode with someone you trust for support. Today, we are sharing our stories about dealing with mental health struggles while going through chronic illness. We feel this is an under discussed topic and we talk sincerely about our experiences. After opening up about our personal stories, we share what helps each of us to get through the dark times and how we’ve learned to cope. We provide our best tips and hope you find helpful takeaways from this episode.https://suicidepreventionlifeline.orgGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria (@lemonsnlyme) and Derek (@chronicloveclub) on Instagram. And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We have our very first guest on the podcast this week! Kaylie Watson from Nourished Wellness shares her experience traveling the country with her husband in their Airstream. Kaylie is a fellow chronic illness warrior. We discuss why they made the leap to spend a year in the Airstream, how they made it work with Kaylie’s health, how the experience has affected Kaylie’s health so far, and generally what it’s like living in an Airstream! You can connect with Kaylie on her website www.kayliewatson.com and on Instagram @nourished_wellness.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.comor messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclub.And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

This episode is for friends and family of those with chronic illness. We share how everyone on the “outside” can still support those of us with illness. If you’ve been unsure how to act, communicate, or help someone you know with chronic illness, let us share some tips with you today!We understand our illness can be scary and confusing for you, too. That’s why we’re covering the most important and helpful things we appreciate when friends and family do for us to show their support. And also, what NOT to do. From researching our condition to still inviting us out, there are a lot of ways to support the person you know with a chronic illness. Don’t abandon us, lean in closer, we need each other.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria (@lemonsnlyme) and Derek (@chronicloveclub) on Instagram. And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Self care is important for everyone, but especially those with chronic illness. Taking a breather for you can help in your healing journey. In this episode we share what self care means to us, why we feel practicing self care is important, and some practical tips for implementing self care in your life. Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlyme and Derek at @chronicloveclubAnd don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

What the heck do those with chronic illness do with “all” their time? We bust the myth that all of us have unlimited free time while also discussing hobbies for the free time many of us have due to needing to abandon old activities or social situations. What sorts of hobbies can those with health issues do that aren’t too energy sucking, but also are fun and interesting? We’ve got you! We share the hobbies we’ve picked up due to illness and provide some other ideas on how to find hobbies that may interest or work for you. Lastly, we address the challenging question we all get of “So, what do you do?” and how we answer.Victoria’s blog: www.lemonsnlyme.comVictoria’s YouTube: Lemons ‘N LymeVictoria’s Instagram: @lemonsnlymeChronic Love Club website: https://www.chronicloveclub.com/Chronic Love Club on Instagram: @chronicloveclubGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address.And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

The two of us always say “everything happens for a reason” so we thought it would be fun/interesting to spend some time speculating what those reasons may be. We dive deep into WHY we believe in this idea of everything happens for a reasons and WHAT possible reasons are. Hang on tight for this episode, it gets emotional. We also spend a little time discussing personal influence in developing illness. We find this to be a really interesting and even spiritual topic, but we know everyone has different opinions about it. We’d love to know what you think!Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria (@lemonsnlyme) and Derek (@chronicloveclub) on Instagram.And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We like to keep it real around here. Illness isn’t all rainbows, butterflies, and positive life lessons. So, today we are sharing the top 3 things we feel chronic illness has taken from us. We both have lost a lot due to getting sick, but Derek for the pick-me-up, spinning a major loss into a positive at the end. A few topics we discuss include identity, passions, freedoms, social life, and even mental capacities. This episode goes deep. If you missed last week’s episode, episode 6, be sure to listen to that one. We talk about the positives of chronic illness there. A good balance to today’s negatives.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlymeAnd don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on! *Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Chronic illness is tough, but we can grow from it, too. We are sharing the top 3 positive impacts we feel chronic illness has made on our lives. From emotional changes to physical and mental strength gains to interacting with others. We break down how even the smallest things count.Chronic illness is all about balance.Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Derek (@ChronicLoveClub) and Victoria (@lemonsnlyme) on Instagram. And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on! Thank you!*Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

A lot of people may see getting sick as a failure or their life as an accumulation of failures once they had to let go of their old life to deal with chronic illness. We are here to tell you to take a step back and realize even the smallest things count as an achievement when dealing with a chronic illness! On that note, in today’s episode we are sharing what we feel are top achievements we’ve accomplished since getting sick. You may be surprised with today’s discussion and what we believe counts as success. From the smallest triumphs to bigger life goals that seemed impossible to do with illness, there are some proud moments thrown in there with the challenges of illness.We are often stronger than we realize. Take a breath, drink some water, and then give yourself a pat on the back for just doing that. Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Derek (@ChronicLoveClub) and Victoria (@lemonsnlyme) on Instagram. And don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on! Thank you! *Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

Support is VITAL when dealing with a chronic illness! But for many of us, we can sometimes lose support, or have trouble finding our support system when we get sick. We dive into the topic of why a support system is important, what to do if your friends and family aren’t being supportive, and how to find and/or create one when you are dealing with chronic illness. The whole episode is laced with our advice about support systems and how we created ours!2:35 min: why a support system is important4:10 min: how to deal with friends/family who aren’t supportive12:06 min: how to find support/create your support systemGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @BeyondYourDiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. You can find Victoria on Instagram @lemonsnlymeDisclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

We start by discussing a few of the treatments we are currently on and how much work it took for us to get these treatments going. This gets us into our discussion on why we, as patients, have to advocate for ourselves and how to even go about doing that.No one cares about your health more than you and even when you are sick, you have to be the one to take charge of your situation. We share our experiences, per usual, along with some practical tips for advocating for yourself.Today's topics: Trust and believe in yourself Don’t settle, don’t stop Self-careSupportGet in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com or messaging us on Instagram @beyondyourdiagnosis. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. We'd love a review on iTunes! You can find Derek (@ChronicLoveClub) and Victoria (@LemonsnLyme) on Instagram. *Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

On today's episode, we're talking about the process of accepting that you’re living with a chronic illness and the process of grief that may come with that. What does the word “chronic” mean to us? How does that differ for each person? And how do you come to a place of accepting your illness and where you’re at in life (compared to others)? We share our experiences navigating acceptance of our own illnesses and all the emotions that have come along with that. We finish the episode by sharing our top tips for how to work on accepting your life with chronic illness. Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.

WELCOME TO OUR PODCAST! We’re excited that you’re here. Today is a short episode that will introduce you to us, our illnesses, and how this podcast was born. We will also give you a short rundown of what we'll be talking about. Get in touch by emailing us at beyondyourdiagnosis@gmail.com. Send us any questions, comments, or episode topics you’d like us to address. We'd love a review. Don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes or whatever podcast app you are listening on! Thank you! Disclaimer: this podcast is not meant to replace medical advice. We are simply sharing our experiences and advice. Also, adult language may be used.