Chronic Wellness

Ritual, routine and chronic conditions. https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work...

Scamanda and Apple Cider Vinegar - Scams that Damage Us with Chronic Conditions. https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com I tuned in to the podcast and now the TV versions of "Scamanda" and now the Netflix show "Apple Cider Vinegar." Here are examples of two young white women who lied about having terminal cancer and scammed people out of tens of tho...

PROPER Maintenance Can SAVE Your Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrator! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or website https://www.annetteleonard.com I recently traveled by plane which means using oxygen. The last time I used my Inogen, portable concentrator I got a message that said, "oxygen low." When I contacted companies to service my Inogen I learned that I could pay a lot to...

When chronic illness takes a turn for the worse how do we not borrow trouble? Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com It's already February of 2025 and this is my first broadcast of the year! I had a death in my family at the end of last year and then I got very sick. My life has ground to a halt over the last 6 weeks. When things get wors...

What happens when you face pain? Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com I recently spent a month in near-total isolation. When these illnesses flare up and take time like this, it's difficult to roll with the physical and emotional toll. From dropping the communication balls, to missing landmarks in people's lives, and not participating i...

The ER with chronic conditions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com I was recently absent from the podcast for several weeks. I was prescribed a new medication that had the side effect of headaches. As a person with daily migraines, that's something I flag. Enduring pain at unmanageable levels, I've been in isolation for a month becaus...

Chronic illness may have surprising impacts on your experience of menopause. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com I am not a doctor and you should not take medical advice from me. If you are a woman and live past a certain age -- you will encounter menopause. There are now some great studies and research about the effects of menopause....

I’m Annette Leonard you can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com Have you ever had a doctor be overwhelmed by your complex stew of medical conditions? I recently sought out a specialist to talk about menopause. She read my file before the appointment (which was great) but walked into the appointment looking scared and explain...

I’m Annette Leonard you can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com My wife has been doing some fall cleaning chores. Because I am unable to physically join her, I have a hard time managing. Sometimes I try to join her (usually to my detriment) or I numb out to escape my uncomfortable feelings about not being able to help her. I...

The DANGERS of IVIg. I’m Annette Leonard you can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard or my website https://www.annetteleonard.com Last week I talked about IVIg. This week I'm here to talk about the dangers of IVIg. Please note, the *vast* majority of people tolerate IVIg with minimal complications. However, for a small fraction of us there are few of us who will experi...

Here are the truths about IVIG. I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard IVIG What is it? A blood product that's sold as a pharmaceutical product. IGg is a major component in our immune system. Intravenous immunoglobulin is used to treat a wide range of illnesses and conditions to bolster the immune system. Who is it for...

What are the dangers of mixed connective tissue disease? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard What are the main MCTDs? What can happen if you have a MCTD? These diseases can impact our wellbeing and threaten our lives in several ways. They are not curable, but they are sometimes manageable. Because they are rare dise...

Mixed connective tissue diseases. I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard These are rare diseases. There are three primary manifestations: lupus SLE, scleroderma, and polymyositis. We have connective tissues all over our body so when they break down the results can be disastrous. While there are ways to test for these d...

Considering mail order pharmacy? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard When I was researching this question, I found the 6-8 mail order pharmacies that I thought best fit my needs and developed a list of questions to call and ask each pharmacy. I put the answers in a spreadsheet to see things visually to be able to ra...

I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard About a year ago my pharmacy closed. I was ill-equipped for how disruptive this change was going to be. From none of my prescriptions transferring over automatically, to the new pharmacy hours, to how poor their communication is, there are a myriad of ongoing hassles that have bee...

I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard Every other week (or so) I host an episode of Chronic Wellness Conversations on IG Live where I interview an author, thought leader or sick people. You can find these interviews on my reels here https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8ctCR_vo_9/ or on Facebook, here https://www.facebook....

I don't take my own advice. I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard Transparent. Maybe it's easy to watch me on YouTube or listen to me on a podcast and hear me talk about ways to live our lives with chronic conditions and think I put all of my words into practice. However, I'm 100% human and struggle with all the same...

IT'S MY 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY I’m Annette Leonard https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard June 18, 2019 was the first day I sent my voice out into the void from here in my guest room. While some things have changed -- I used to record 5 days a week, many have not: I don't have sponsors, no fancy production or editing. In that 5 years, I've chang...

I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard You finally heard that you've been approved for Social Security Disability. Treat yourself -- whether that's a call to a friend, a gf cupcake, or some other way that you do something good for yourself, take a moment to celebrate. Having this resource to support yourself, matters!...

You've been denied Social Security Disability, now what? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard You've FINALLY heard back and got the courage to open the envelope and learned that your application has been denied. You're disappointed, sad, angry and grieving. Take time to feel those emotions. Once you've taken a beat,...

You've completed the initial application for Social Security Disability, what happens next? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard I am not an attorney or legal advisor -- seek professional guidance when trying to make legal determinations or get professional input about important questions. I'm speaking from my experi...

Should I apply for Social Security Disability? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard I am not a legal advisor -- seek professional guidance when trying to make legal determinations or get professional input about important questions. I have be getting Social Security benefits for about 10 years. I've helped others app...

Sleep is the foundation for everything! I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard If you're watching this on video you can see I'm wearing my dark shades -- that means my migraine is off the charts. Part of the reason is that my sleep is gone to s*it. If you're tracking, you'll also notice I haven't dropped an episode in...

Searching for joy? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard I was recently reading about what to do if you've lost your happy. This is not specifically related to depression, which requires more specialized tools and perhaps deeper interventions. This is more about fleeting joy and temperamental stuff. The suggestion was...

Colonoscopy and autoimmune disease? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard Do you have an autoimmune disease and you're getting a colonoscopy? Consult your physician and take their advice, not mine. However, I have a lot of experience so let's get into that. In advance of the colonoscopy, prep in advance for food. You'...