“I’m not Hysterical, I’m Sick:” Kim's Story of Medical Gaslighting and More

<p>Even after getting diagnosed with bi-lateral pulmonary emboli, a necrotizing lung nodule and periodic paralysis, Kim was repeatedly dismissed as being “hysterical,” “just anxious” and having “nothing wrong” with her when it turns out her lung had collapsed, she had an air leak on her lung suture line and she also had rheumatoid arthritis.  </p><p>Kim shares her experiences and perspectives with candor in hopes that no one who’s gone through similar experiences will feel alone.</p><p><strong>Episode at a glance:</strong></p><ul><li>Kim’s journey going from 90 minute daily bike rides to not being able to walk due to a collapsed lung and other undiagnosed health issues.</li><li>Kim’s multiple experiences with medical gaslighting, or being dismissed by medical providers, including being erroneously diagnosed with “conversion disorder” when she presented with lower body paralysis.</li><li>Kim files a complaint with the hospital (who employed Kim’s original surgeon who told her “nothing’s wrong” when she in fact had a collapsed lung) and nothing happens.</li><li>Kim and Cheryl discuss ways the medical system can be improved to avoid medical gaslighting in the future, including using systems like “risk management.”</li><li>Kim shares what it’s been like to balance treatments for rheumatoid arthritis with hypokalemic periodic paralysis.</li><li>Kim shares how she’s mentally coped with everything she’s been through.</li><li>SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCE: If you are in the USA and you are in crisis, please call the <a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/">National Suicide Lifeline</a> at 1-800-273-8255. For a list of international suicide hotlines by country see<a href="https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines"> this page.</a></li><li>Kim and Cheryl discuss what it feels like to feel “trapped” in your own body</li><li>Kim & Cheryl discuss “thin privilege” and how people who are overweight face additional stigmas when seeking medical care</li><li>Kim & Cheryl discuss the “inconvenient truth” that so much of