Best Worst Club- Endometriosis Life

Lasa Health is your digital companion for living with endometriosis and pelvic pain. As a podcast dedicated to bringing our listeners helpful and tangible tips for coping with our realities of living with this disease, this episode is exactly that! In this week's episode you will meet the founder of the Lasa Health app and hear about her own personal journey with endometriosis. Margaret took her education, experience working in health innovation and as a person with endometriosis to create this app. "Being diagnosed with endometriosis can be overwhelming, but you don't need to go at it alone! Lasa Health's mobile app will walk you through everything you need to know."

Inside the app not only will you find an extensive list of symptoms you can track but also an entire resource of evidence based and accurate information both about endometriosis and it's many co- existing conditions. As you continue to track your symptoms and use the app your virtual garden will grow, this is a super cute feature. There is even a community aspect to Lasa Health app where you can connect with other endo- warriors. This app is gender inclusive and upon set up allows you to enter in your gender as assigned at birth and the gender you identify as, something that is so needed in our community! All around we are loving this app and are excited to watch it evolve. Lasa Health was released in December of 2022 and plans continue advancing and upgrading the app. Make sure to download it before Endo Awareness Month (March) is over to experience the premium version free and opt- in to their monthly survey to continue enjoying the premium features.

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice. The stories in the It's Not Just A Bad Period Series are difficult to listen to.  And I want to keep it that way because they aren't just stories, but the harrowing realities of each warrior that is bravely taking part. Although endometriosis was first identified over 160 years ago, substantial gaps in adequately addressing this disease remains. From research being severely underfunded to outdated medical procedures still being used, this disease is a beast to live with but existing in the current medical system makes it exponentially worse! I wish I could say these circumstances only exist for a few unlucky warriors but that’s not true. This is the typical experience of an endometriosis warrior and it’s time the world hears it!

This week you'll meet Aubrey, who gives incredibly solid advice on self- advocacy through the crazy rollercoaster that is endometriosis. It's one of my favorite parts of hosting this podcast, is hearing how other warriors cope with this grueling endo life. Aubrey was a delight to talk with and I know you will end this episode feeling supported! It never cease to amaze me that we are the ones fighting this disease and yet we are so quick to show up for each other. Aubrey did just that, she showed up to share her story with you!

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice.

This week you'll meet Kimether and hear her unique journey and perspective as a patient and practitioner. This warrior's determination absolutely blew me away. I seriously don't know how she was capable of doing all she did through the thick of her endometriosis journey. While working as a nurse AND going through med school, Kimether started to become debilitated by pelvic & back pain along with other symptoms. She was baffled that with her medical background and community of health professionals she was still left wondering what was happening to her body. She speaks to the strange switch from practitioner to patient and how once she was on the exam table it didn't seem to matter that she herself was a medical professional. Kimether brought up so many key points about navigating the medical system and tangible tips on how to do so that I just had to ask her to come back for a part 2. So please enjoy the first part of Kimether's episode and honestly get ready to take notes cause she's bringing the self advocacy tips!!

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice.

Let's take a look at the state of AbbVie before Orilissa hit the market and where the motives for this "ground breaking" drug for the treatment of endometriosis pain. This episode is packed full with researched- backed information that starts to paint the picture of why endometriosis is treated the way it is in the medical community. And how that’s changed since the drug Orilissa came on the market. The first FDA approved drug for the treatment of endo pain since Lupron. Which was approved for use with endometriosis in 2001. This is just the beginning of our deep dive into Orilissa. If you've been on this drug and would like to share your experience with it please email the show at bestworstclub@yahoo.com.

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice. The stories in the It's Not Just A Bad Period Series are difficult to listen to.  And I want to keep it that way because they aren't just stories, but the harrowing realities of each warrior that is bravely taking part. Although endometriosis was first identified over 160 years ago, substantial gaps in adequately addressing this disease remains. From research being severely underfunded to outdated medical procedures still being used, this disease is a beast to live with but existing in the current medical system makes it exponentially worse! I wish I could say these circumstances only exist for a few unlucky warriors but that’s not true. This is the typical experience of an endometriosis warrior and it’s time the world hears it!

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice. The stories in the It's Not Just A Bad Period Series are difficult to listen to.  And I want to keep it that way because they aren't just stories, but the harrowing realities of each warrior that is bravely taking part. Although endometriosis was first identified over 160 years ago, substantial gaps in adequately addressing this disease remains. From research being severely underfunded to outdated medical procedures still being used, this disease is a beast to live with but existing in the current medical system makes it exponentially worse! I wish I could say these circumstances only exist for a few unlucky warriors but that’s not true. This is the typical experience of an endometriosis warrior and it’s time the world hears it!

This week you'll meet Julie who is fresh out of excision surgery when she sits down for our interview. I'm talking just 3 weeks post-op and the insight she shares is something that could help any endo- warrior regardless of where they are in their journey. We talk all things endo like the difficulties we face trying to get diagnosed and the mental weight of it all. Julie brings the perspective of a health care provider and is able to give a unique take on our endo realities. Not only does she have endometriosis but Crohn's disease and talks about how to juggle multiple chronic illnesses. 

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice.

This week host, Mariah, shares her very vulnerable and raw experience with mental and chronic illness. You might be surprised by what she has to say and how living with mental illness has actually helped her cope with endo life. Endometriosis doesn't come with a handbook on how to live with and no one knows what to do when so much of their life suddenly changes. Listen to part of Mariah's experience in reaching a new place of acceptance 3 years after her endometriosis diagnosis.

And with that the 2022 Best Worst Club Podcast season comes to an end... Join us for a brief recap on the show's very first season and some endometriosis headlines you may have missed. So much of this podcast is possible because of our community. From naming our first series "Not Just A Bad Period" to our brave guests coming on to share their stories, we're growing because of YOU. Thank you for being here!

Endometriosis Awareness month is right around the corner (March). If you have any ideas on podcast guests we should have on, social media ideas, or topics we should cover, we want to hear them. Email your suggestions at bestworstclub@yahoo.com

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice. The stories in the It's Not Just A Bad Period Series are difficult to listen to.  And I want to keep it that way because they aren't just stories, but the harrowing realities of each warrior that is bravely taking part. Although endometriosis was first identified over 160 years ago, substantial gaps in adequately addressing this disease remains. From research being severely underfunded to outdated medical procedures still being used, this disease is a beast to live with but existing in the current medical system makes it exponentially worse! I wish I could say these circumstances only exist for a few unlucky warriors but that’s not true. This is the typical experience of an endometriosis warrior and it’s time the world hears it!

In the Series this week you'll meet Samantha and hear about her experience navigating the medical system in Minnesota. This warrior has been through the ringer and has a message every endo warrior needs to hear! From bladder symptoms, multiple surgeries and doctors left not knowing what else to do, Samantha bravely shares how this progressive disease can change every aspect of your life. We chat about the importance of sharing our realities and the important work the online endo community does. We both share how it's our hope that Series like this one and our posts on Instagram will pave the way for the change and representation our community needs.

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice. The stories in the It's Not Just A Bad Period Series are difficult to listen to.  And I want to keep it that way because they aren't just stories, but the harrowing realities of each warrior that is bravely taking part. Although endometriosis was first identified over 160 years ago, substantial gaps in adequately addressing this disease remains. From research being severely underfunded to outdated medical procedures still being used, this disease is a beast to live with but existing in the current medical system makes it exponentially worse! I wish I could say these circumstances only exist for a few unlucky warriors but that’s not true. This is the typical experience of an endometriosis warrior and it’s time the world hears it!

In this week's episode you'll hear from our very own host, Mariah and her firsthand account on how the online endo community lead her to having excision surgery with one of the best, Dr. Sinervo at the Center for Endometriosis Care. The purpose of this series is to highlight our realities of trying to access care for endometriosis in the current medical landscape and how that desperately needs to change. Our experiences of medical trauma are not only not unique but contribute to the lack of care we receive. It’s not that some of us have fallen through the cracks. Its not just some of us who wait far too long to even receive a diagnosis. It’s not just that some of us don’t have the access to the kinds of specialists we need. 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth are diagnosed with endometriosis. Really stop to think about how common that makes this debilitating and currently incurable disease.

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice. The stories in the It's Not Just A Bad Period Series are difficult to listen to.  And I want to keep it that way because they aren't just stories, but the harrowing realities of each warrior that is bravely taking part. Although endometriosis was first identified over 160 years ago, substantial gaps in adequately addressing this disease remains. From research being severely underfunded to outdated medical procedures still being used, this disease is a beast to live with but existing in the current medical system makes it exponentially worse! I wish I could say these circumstances only exist for a few unlucky warriors but that’s not true. This is the typical experience of an endometriosis warrior and it’s time the world hears it!

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice.

Disclaimer- The stories you are about to hear are the personal experiences of each individual and the views expressed by guests are their own. Please listen with discretion as this series contains mature content that could possibly be triggering to some individuals. Mention of depression, suicidal ideation, medical trauma, sexual assault, disorder eating and other sensitive topics may come up. Please listen at your own discretion and remember this podcast is never meant to be taken as medical advice.

The Best Worst Club- it's the club no one wants to be apart of with some of the best kind of people.

From learning the correct definition of endometriosis to how it presents and what questions to ask my doctor, it was all because of the online Endo Community. The cyber endo- warriors work endlessly to correct misinformation and arm warriors with the proper resources needed to navigate the systemic obstacles in our medical system and society. On average it takes 7- 10 years to receive an endometriosis diagnosis and that is not for lack of effort on the warrior's part. This endo statistic is one of the most frequently touted facts because it is disgustingly true and shocking, honestly it's a complete injustice. 

But what that statement doesn't cover is what it's actually like to live for at least a decade in a body that is being ravaged by a disease with no name. It doesn't explain the strength and self- advocacy it takes to be a patient in a medical system that chooses to dismiss this debilitating disease. And it can't begin to touch on the trauma of being gaslit over and over... and over again.

I often find myself saying "How can this be real?" and "I feel like I'm living in a conspiracy against endometriosis warriors.". Because once you've lived it, once you've done a little digging, the systemic problems become glaringly obvious and my activist- heart can't know these things and not attempt to do something.

It's mind blowing to me how integral of a part us warriors, the one's suffering with this disease, play in helping each other navigate the gauntlet that is endometriosis. I know that the online endo- community helped me when no doctor could diagnosis me. They helped me avoid ineffective treatments and inadequate doctors which could've made me worse. In a lot of ways I beat many endometriosis statistics because of this community, our community.

I hope that by sharing our raw and real realities it will break stigmas, dismantle misinformation and call out the systemic injustices we face. That the Best Worst Club can be an extension of the incredible work all the endo- warriors ahead of made have done.

Whether you've never heard of endometriosis, are in the grueling process of getting diagnosed or in the stages of trying to manage it there will be an episode for all of that. Because before any true change can happen the awareness that there is a problem in need of attention has to take place first!

Hit that "Subscribe" button and listen along with the nearly 200 million of us that are living with endometriosis.