Speak Up For Your Health

Perimenopause and menopause involve much more than just hot flashes. Symptoms like brain fog, insomnia, and mood changes can profoundly impact women’s personal and professional lives, especially when they go undiagnosed and untreated. For Joanna Stober, it took a frustrating year to find the help she needed. Fueled by her experience, she channeled her frustration into action, founding Midi Health—a virtual care platform dedicated to improving women's health.

Stress can worsen or exacerbate almost any medical condition. This doesn’t mean that your symptoms are all in your head but it does mean that having a healthy outlet for your stress is an important part of your treatment plan. Paul Folger is a journalist/news anchor who has ulcerative colitis – and lots of stress. He's talks about how he's navigated having this condition while also having a successful career in broadcast news.

Second opinions decrease the risk of a wrong diagnosis by half. But too often, getting in to see an expert can be so challenging that patients forego this step and rely on the initial diagnosis. In this conversation, Frank McGillin, CEO of The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic talks about how they’ve simplified the process so that patients can quickly get second opinions by experts at the Cleveland Clinic – virtually. Key Takeaways: Do your homework. Be clear about what question you are asking. Make sure that you get answers to the issue or questions giving you the most angst. See an expert. Don’t just see ANY doctor for a 2nd opinion. Select a doctor who is more experienced than the first in treating patients with YOUR condition. Be loyal to yourself..and your health…not your doctor. If you have more trust and better communication with the doctor offering a 2nd opinion…it is okay to switch your care. You owe it to yourself to get the best care for you. Links: The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic: https://www.clinicbyclevelandclinic.com/ Connect with Archelle Newsletter: https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Email: [email protected] Instagram:  https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth

Caregiving isn’t just about caring for older parents. In this conversation, Juston White talks about the steps he took to advocate for his sister’s care when she developed rapidly progressive multiple sclerosis – including becoming her legal guardian. He reflects on the challenges of guardianship and the importance of giving his sister a voice in her care decisions. Key Takeaway: advocacy often includes addressing more than medical needs ·     Establish a relationship with the hospital or health systems case managers and social workers. ·     Expand your own definition of advocacy. Legal and financial advocacy can unlock additional benefits. ·     Be open to guardianship. While it is a last resort, guardianship may be the best option when advocating for someone with a serious or catastrophic illness. Share your story with Archelle Newsletter: https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Email: [email protected] Instagram:  https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth

Insurance barriers can delay access to necessary medications. In this conversation, David shares his personal journey with osteoporosis, a condition often perceived as a women's disease, and the challenges he is encountering to get the medication he needs. Key Takeaways Men are risk for osteoporosis. It is not just a women's disease. Be proactive: Routine screening for osteoporosis is not recommended for men. So, men with a family history of osteoporosis and/or fractures after minor trauma should proactively request a bone density text, call a DEXA scan Always (always) request a copy of a healthcare denial letter. Don't just accept a verbal communication. Insurance companies are required to put every denial in writing and include the contractual reason for the denial. Share your story with Archelle Newsletter: https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Email: [email protected] Instagram:  https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth

Patients with rare conditions can often wait months or years for a diagnosis. In the meantime, they suffer – wondering if their symptoms are real or in their head. Marielle Lejcher had severe abdominal pain for 11 years before she found one very good doctor who took the time to put all the puzzle pieces together and ordered the right test. Key Takeaways: See a specialist. While you should generally start with your primary care physician, see a specialist if they aren't sure about your diagnosis or if your symptoms are getting worse despite treatment. Self-refer to a specialist (if your PCP doesn't want to refer you). Today, most health insurance plans don't require a referral. So if your PCP doesn't recommend seeing someone else, self-refer. And if that specialist doesn't arrive at a definitive diagnosis, make an appointment with a specialist with different expertise. Keep a journal. Write down the details about your symptoms. The details matter because a complex diagnosis is like a big puzzle, and the smallest detail can be the missing piece of information that helps the physician suspect an obscure condition. Share your story with Archelle Newsletter: https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Email: [email protected] Instagram:  https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth

Reading and understanding a medical consent form before you sign it can make the difference between acceptance and regret if you experience a complication. Cris Ross, the CIO of Mayo Clinic, shares his cancer journey and reflects on the complexities of surgery, recovery, and the lessons learned that inspired him to write a book on navigating healthcare. Key Takeaway: Avoid Regret Voice your preferences and priorities. You don't need to be a doctor or a healthcare professional, but you need to know enough about your condition and the alternatives to make informed decisions. Be realistic about the tradeoffs between different decisions. Talk about them with your physician and your family. Deliberating out loud is an effective way to make sure you fully understand the risks and benefits of different alternatives. Read the consent form. Really read it. Make sure it includes 4 key elements: purpose of the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. For elective surgery, ask for the medical consent form at your pre-op visit so that you can review at home it without feeling rushed to sign it.   "Diagnosed: An Insiders Guide For Your Healthcare Journey" by Cris Ross and Ed Marx is now available on Amazon! Share your story with Archelle Newsletter: https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Email: [email protected] Instagram:  https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth

Archelle shares her personal story about the journey as a caregiver for her mother, Tina, who recently passed away. Guest host Cathy Wurzer leads the conversation, where they discuss the tough decisions and emotional challenges that come with caring for aging loved ones. Archelle talks about navigating the balance between honoring a loved one’s wishes and ensuring their safety and highlighting the difficult but loving decision to sometimes say "no" for their well-being. Key Takeaways Look for early, subtle changes in personality and decision-making. Use this moment to quietly but actively start putting plans in place for your loved one and start checking in on them more frequently. Make sure that healthcare power of attorney documents are signed and accessible. Instead of naming co-decision-makers, it's best to designate a single individual as the primary with an alternate in case the primary is unavailable. This helps avoid delays and complexities in making urgent care decisions. Use technology to help keep your loved one safe. Here's a list of ideas with links: Amazon's Echo Show: This has all the features of a traditional Alexa and has the added benefit of video. This let me "drop in" to see my mom and talk to her without requiring that she know how to use the technology. Blink Mini-Cameras: Buy multiple devices and put them in strategic locations. Make sure to buy the data storage plan so that you can review and store clips. Medical/Safety Alert systems can include a pendant or a smart watch. Have realistic conversations about "aging in place". Discuss the medical, financial, physical and social implications for everyone who is impacted: the aging individual as well as the caregiver(s) who assumes responsibility. Everyone's quality of life matters in this equation. Process for identifying an assisted living: Week 1: Do online research to identify all the facilities in the area. Read independent reviews. Week 2: Create a list of important criteria and conduct phone interviews. Week 3: Visit 4-6 locations. Week 4: Schedule an extended visit and have a meal at 1-2 locations that seem like the best fit. MANY thanks to Cathy Wurzer for guest hosting this interview. Cathy has a passion for aging and end of life issues. Learn more about her organization, End in Mind. You can also hear/see Cathy at: MPR's Morning Edition Minnesota Now, Cathy's own podcast on MPR TPT's Almanac Share your story with Archelle Newsletter: https://www.archellemd.com/newsletter Email: [email protected] Instagram:  https://instagram.com/speakupforyourhealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakupforyourhealth