In this episode of Post-Exertional Mayonnaise, hosts Dov and Daniel explore the themes of social isolation and sensory overload experienced by those living with ME and chronic illness. They discuss the impact of these conditions on social lives, the challenges of navigating social interactions, and the absurdity of medical care. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of social deconditioning, the importance of community, and the joy found in mundane social interactions. Through humour and shared experiences, they reflect on the complexities of maintaining connections in a world that often feels distant and overwhelming.#chronicillness #myalgicencephalomyelitis #socialisolation Contact us: pempodcast23@gmail.com https://www.pempod.com/

In this episode of the Post-Exertional Mayonnaise podcast, Daniel Moore speaks with Lisanne Jacobs, a songwriter and chronic illness advocate, about her journey with ME and the role of creativity in coping with chronic illness. Lisanne shares her personal story, including her diagnosis, struggles with healthcare, and the importance of music as a form of expression and healing. They discuss the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the impact of chronic illness on daily life, and the hope that can be found in small improvements. Lisanne also reflects on her songwriting process and the influence of other artists on her work, emphasising the importance of connection and representation in the chronic illness community. Homeostasis lyrics: It gets harder every fall When it rains through bedroom walls, it pours ‘til doctor’s don’t care anymore You fake the art of getting by Weary hearts, blurry sights set on elusive finish lines We’re a long, long way from homeostasis There’s no time to waste, but we’re caught in a loop Oh we long for a taste of something good Crossing off each day we’ve made it through And it’s ever so still in the waiting room Hmmmmm “When you get stuck, there’s a window” says the lucky one on the other side (But) all we do is try “Where there’s a maze, there’s an exit” Oh it’s a race against bitter bones to find it before all of our youth runs dry We’re a long, long way from homeostasis When all else fails, time could move us through When the green turns grey, oh we’ll get creative Painting old vases ‘til we’ve paid our dues And it’s ever so dark but we could make it through one more year in this waiting Roooooooom Here, take my hand, let’s err on the side of hope My dear, take the stand and swear that you won’t let go Oh the least we have is not being (the least bit) alone... ...while breathing the art of getting by Weary hearts, blurry sights set on elusive finish lines We’re a long, long way from homeostasis When everything aches, love could move us through When the green turns grey, oh we’ll get creative I’ll sing your praises ’til you’re singing too And it’s ever so dull but we could paint it blue Every inch of this waiting room Oh it’s ever so still but love will lead us through one more day in this waiting room Lisanne's music can be found on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisannejacobsmusic?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Daniel's track: quit button https://youtu.be/0w31Z4bFqQ0?si=UWREvOxtCf0X_NWz Turnto link: https://www.turnto.ai/?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=pempodcast Contact us: https://www.pempod.com/ pempodcast23@gmail.com

In this episode, our third and final part of our chronic illness and cancer mini-series, Oonagh Carr talks to Daniel about her profound journey living with long COVID and a subsequent breast cancer diagnosis. She discusses the drastic changes in her life, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and the importance of community support. Oonagh emphasizes the need for better understanding and research into long COVID, as well as the emotional toll of living with chronic illness. Through her story, she highlights the resilience required to cope with these overlapping health challenges and the significance of advocating for oneself in medical settings. Contact us: pempodcast23@gmail.com https://www.pempod.com/

Catherine Hale shares her chronic illness story and the journey of founding the Chronic Illness Inclusion Project. She discusses the challenges of living with ME and the impact it has had on her life, including the loss of being a parent and the realization that her future may be cut short. She also talks about the difficulties of finding flexible work opportunities and the lack of representation for people with chronic illness in the disability rights movement. The Chronic Illness Inclusion Project aimed to bridge the gap between the chronic illness community and the disability rights movement, but ultimately faced funding challenges and had to be discontinued. The conversation explores the legacy of the Chronic Illness Inclusion Project and the importance of the term 'Energy Limiting Condition' as an umbrella term for various chronic conditions. The concept emerged from the research process and was developed by a diverse group of individuals with different conditions who shared the experience of fatigue as the most debilitating aspect of their conditions. The term aims to convey the impact of energy impairment and the need for better understanding and support. The conversation also touches on the challenges of social care and PIP/Social Security assessments and the limited recognition of cognitive impairment in ME. To download the turnto app, click here! https://www.turnto.ai/?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=pempodcast Visit out website: https://www.pempod.com/ Contact us: pempodcast23@gmail.com

This episode of the Post-Exertional Mayonnaise podcast features a conversation about living with ME and cancer. Jennifer Smith shares her experience of being diagnosed with ME in 2020 and later being diagnosed with breast cancer. She discusses the challenges of navigating medical appointments and treatments while dealing with severe ME symptoms. Litsa Dremousis also shares her experience of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and the difficulties she faced whilst interacting with physicians. Both guests highlight the importance of finding supportive healthcare professionals and the need for better information and resources for individuals with ME and cancer. In this conversation, Jennifer and Litsa talk about the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the lack of understanding and support from doctors, and the emotional toll of living with chronic illness. They also discuss the importance of advocating for oneself and the need for more research and awareness around the intersection of ME/CFS and cancer. The conversation highlights the need for compassionate and comprehensive care for individuals with multiple chronic illnesses. If you're impacted by the matters raised in this programme, please reach out to someone close or a supportive organisation. https://www.pempod.com/ pempodcast23@gmail.com

Anneke Vliegen, author of Recognise ME, shares her memoir about medical gaslighting and living with chronic illness. She discusses her journey from childhood to adulthood, experiencing various symptoms and misdiagnoses along the way. Anneke emphasizes the importance of open and honest communication in her relationships. She reflects on the challenges of losing friendships and offers advice to others in similar situations. Anneke’s book sheds light on the emotional impact of chronic illness and the need for understanding and support. In this conversation, Anneke discusses medical gaslighting and the importance of being taken seriously as a patient. We talk about the impact of medical gaslighting on a person's dignity and self-blame, as well as the need for doctors to have humility and acknowledge when they don't know something. We also touch on the concept of medical zebras and the role of patient advocacy in challenging medical gaslighting. The conversation highlights the need for open and honest communication and the importance of educating healthcare professionals about conditions like ME. Recognise ME can be found here: https://amzn.eu/d/ipedpNo Anneke's blog, Flying Through the woods: https://flyingthroughthewoods.weebly.com/ https://www.pempod.com/ Our patreon if you'd like to support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/Pempod Download the turnto app to support the podcast: https://www.turnto.ai/?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=pempodcast

Jessica Dove London, founder of the Turnto app, joins Daniel to discuss her journey and the purpose of the app. The app aims to bridge the knowledge translation gap in healthcare by providing people with ME and Long Covid with curated research, lived experiences, tips, and insights related to their specific health conditions. The app delivers personalized updates on a daily basis, allowing users to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. The community-driven platform also allows users to share their own experiences and engage with others. The app is currently focused on cerebral palsy and ME/Long COVID. The app uses AI to curate and generate content based on user preferences and needs. The team behind Turnto is focused on building a community-driven platform that offers valuable resources and connects users with relevant opportunities, such as clinical trials and research participation. The app is free to use, and the team is exploring potential revenue models that align with their mission. The long-term goal is to create a comprehensive and accessible platform that improves access to treatment and support for individuals with chronic illnesses. Post-Exertional Mayonnaise podcast is pleased to be associated with Turnto and if you use the link below to download the app, or mention the podcast when signing up we will benefit! https://www.turnto.ai/?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=pempodcast Contact us: www.pempod.com pempodcast23@gmail.com

In memory of Maeve Boothby O'Neill, we re-release this episode from 2023 whereby Sarah Boothby reads excerpts from Maeve's unpublished novel, The Alchemists; or Economic Consequences of the peace. In a small Dartmoor village, the postman goes missing and is found unconscious in a hedge. The villagers speculate about what could have happened, but the truth remains a mystery. The story explores the themes of community and class differences. The author plays with the genre of detective fiction, creating suspense without a dead body. The arrival of a detective from Exeter adds intrigue to the story. The conversation explores various themes in the book, including the Orchard family's background, their wealth and treatment of servants, and the mystery surrounding the missing parcel. The conversation also touches on the protagonist's experience with chronic illness and the therapeutic nature of writing. The discussion highlights the beauty of the book's descriptions and the parallels between the historical setting and present-day issues. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the ongoing inquest into Maeve's death and the need for change in the treatment of ME.