The use of high dose estrogen prior to the hysteroscopy likely led to the onset of menstrual migraines. They're not blaming the surgeon for anything, it's more a matter of this was a good environmental trigger to be paired with her genetics and other risk factors leading to "shit happens."
My friend developed migraines around her periods after a gynecological procedure. Prior to this she had like 1 migraine in her life (does have a family history) and after she's had pretty debilitating headaches with each cycle. Like can't function, but acupuncture seems to be helping.
Went to the first neurologist who spent maybe 10 minutes with her, blew her off and said this wasn't a thing. Basically the "you're nuts/all in your head narrative."
Saw a second neurologist who spent almost an hour with her, validated what happened, offered a range of treatment options, and came up with a plan.
It's absolutely fucking insane how different your experience can be with the US healthcare system depending on the physician you sit in front of.
Turned down an invitation to speak at a medical conference next spring. It’s the same lazy, recycled bullshit request. For context, I’m a psychologist who works with people living with chronic medical issues. My specialty is digestive diseases. I’ve been doing this since 2005 while in grad school. I was embedded in a medical department to do research on how much living with these diseases sucks, including having to deal with bullshit in the medical system. Most of my colleagues were physicians.
My peers and I fought for years to get mental health the recognition it needed, to try to break down the stigma and medical gaslighting, and create change. Part of doing this is educating physicians on these topics. How do you educate? Conferences. While mental health gained some ground, we remain relegated to the kids table at Thanksgiving dinner.
Now psych is included but not at the main sections where the people who need to hear the information are seated. Rather it seems to be a box to check so they can say “multidisciplinary.” But it’s all lip service. At least some people see it, but medical conferences are controlled and planned by a select “elite” few.
So, no. I’m not going to engage with this shit any more. In my email reply I gave this as my reason because I have nothing to lose by calling this out. 17 years was more than enough time to change things. They don’t want to.
It’s been 4 months since I left #academia and my summer Rumspringa has brought down my fight-or-flight response that I didn’t even realize was so engaged for probably a decade. I’m going to put out some advice for whatever the fuck it’s worth.
If you’re killing yourself with work, “leaning in,” living that hustle life, etc. Pump the brakes. Nobody will give a shit once you burn out or age out and leave. Some will continue to try to get you to do favors because your value isn’t in you as a person but what that insane work ethic gave them and they’re going through withdrawal when you take it away. You could rise to the top of your field and I’m telling you, from my experience, it doesn’t matter. There will be immediate radio silence from the same people praising your accolades the week prior. Slow down. Say no without guilt. Go for a walk. Take work email off your phone. Channel that energy into that thing you want to learn or do that you love but don’t have the time for. Lean out.
:starwars_rebel: Academic Malificent. Navigating the great enshittification.“We’ve reached DEFCON fuck”Posts auto-delete after 1 week because fascism. Under his 👁️ #teamOrca