15 - Multiple Pain Diagnoses and Resistance with Alexandria Pavelich
In episode fifteen, the tables turn as Jessica interviews long-time host, Alexandria, about her lived experience of pain. The two discuss the issue with imaging, the process of receiving multiple pain diagnoses, and what to do when - as a patient - you want to resist the treatment options being offered to you.
For episode fifteen, we are speaking to patient partner and pain advocate Alexandria Pavelich. Alexandria - the podcast's regular host - had the tables turned where Jessica interviewed her about her lived of experience of pain.
Alexandria has a history of migraines, back pain, pelvic pain, and has received dozens of varying pain diagnoses throughout her life such as RSD, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, herniated discs, and interstitial cystitis with limited options being offered in terms of management or treatment. Alexandria shares her story of how she overcome pain with the help of Dr. Gabor Maté who encouraged her to learn more about the connection between mind-body, and how trauma can impact one's experience of pain.
Alexandria also details how imaging is not the be-all-end-all in diagnoses and treating pain, and how suggestive the mind can be when receiving medical information. Lastly, they dive into the idea of resistance: what does a patient do when they are told they are non-compliant after resisting the treatments being offered, or if they begin to reject the pain diagnoses they've received? If you are a patient whose ever felt unseen or unheard by a practitioner trying to get help for your pain, then this episode is for you!
Alexandria has a history of migraines, back pain, pelvic pain, and has received dozens of varying pain diagnoses throughout her life such as RSD, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, herniated discs, and interstitial cystitis with limited options being offered in terms of management or treatment. Alexandria shares her story of how she overcome pain with the help of Dr. Gabor Maté who encouraged her to learn more about the connection between mind-body, and how trauma can impact one's experience of pain.
Alexandria also details how imaging is not the be-all-end-all in diagnoses and treating pain, and how suggestive the mind can be when receiving medical information. Lastly, they dive into the idea of resistance: what does a patient do when they are told they are non-compliant after resisting the treatments being offered, or if they begin to reject the pain diagnoses they've received? If you are a patient whose ever felt unseen or unheard by a practitioner trying to get help for your pain, then this episode is for you!
We hope you enjoy this episode, and for anyone wanting to connect with Alexandria directly, you are welcome to do so by visiting her website at www.alexandriapavelich.com - Alexandria is also on Twitter at @PainSociologist.
Additional Links and Resources
Curable App
Pain Psychology Centre - Remote Counselling Available
Partners in Pain - March 30 Online Webinar
This Might Hurt - Documentary Film
Recommended Books:
Additional Links and Resources
Curable App
Pain Psychology Centre - Remote Counselling Available
Partners in Pain - March 30 Online Webinar
This Might Hurt - Documentary Film
Recommended Books:
- Dr. John Sarno's "Healing Back Pain"
- Dr. Howard Schubiner's "Unlearn Your Pain"
- Dr. Gabor Mate's "When The Body Says No: The Hidden Cost of Stress"
- Alan Gordon's "The Way Out"
SaskPain Website
SaskPain Facebook
A thank you to our sponsors and supporters:
The Saskatchewan Pain Society
The Community Initiatives Fund
Our Editor, Chris Enns of Lemon Productions
We happily welcome feedback on this podcast, and are always looking for guests to speak to! Contact us at info@saskpain.ca, or message us on our Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn pages if you would like more information, or to get involved.