Maggie's Secrets to Keeping her Body Happy | You Can Sit With Us Ep. 143

Managing period cramps, self care on a budget, and doom scrolling hot line - The Care and Keeping of you 2.0!
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YOU CAN SIT WITH US
Maggie, Becky, and Ariel are your new best friends. In their weekly podcast they dive into female friendships, current events, and what's going on in their lives. Sit down with them, and enjoy!
PODCAST DEPT
Executive Producer | Keith Habersberger
Executive Producer | Eugene Lee Yang
Executive Producer | Zach Kornfeld
Podcast Producer | Miles Bonsignore
Podcast Editor | Rainie Toll
MUSIC: Licensed from AudioNetwork
SFX & VIDEO ASSETS: Licensed from Videoblocks

[@InquisitorLavellan]

Free health advice from a nurse? Yes please.

[@kimphamxx]

Becky's hair is sooo amazing, I couldn't stop staring b/c it's sooo shiny & healthy!

[@TheLizventures]

I actually like when there are students or trainees since I find doctors explain what's happening more thoroughly for them than for me!

[@boopmcgoo]

i love that they pulled Becky aside to check on her but it made me laugh imagining a nurse very seriously asking if Becky is safe at home, meanwhile Keith is in the waiting room making silly faces for a kid being his wholesome self

[@sierraisabella8348]

Dr. mike is of course a great resource but MDJ is an amazing OBGYN & wonderful resource for all ages!!

[@CatalinaCNV]

A big hug to these awesome queens! All so sassy and down to earth at the same time. Un abrazo extra para Maggie! Me encantaron los videos de tu matrimonio, super lindo ver tantos elementos latinos en ella!

[@littleones0709]

My painful periods ended up being Endometriosis. I'm lucky because I recognized it wasn't normal and pushed to get care. That was about 30 years ago. Birth control helped a lot for the first few years, but I had to have it surgically removed multiple times.

[@cloverbreath]

Yes! Endo is SO common but doctors are so dismissive of our pain.

[@Madgoodtimes14]

Wow this is such a good podcast to have out there! Mindfulness, meditation, and self care are all so important, especially for people who aren't sure what to do or aren't taught by their parents what to do. Maggie's medical perspective has been so helpful. And also can I just add that I love rainie and miles so much and literally their laughter is contagious. Also, the whole office vibe and friend group kind of reminds me of my friend group and life experiences but aged up in their late 20's-early 30's. I'm in my early 20's and this podcast has been so helpful and just nice to listen to while I go about my day or while I eat my breakfast in the morning. Truly, thank you for what you guys are doing! And congrats miles on the baby and congrats to Maggie and zach on the wedding!! I literally teared up hearing their vows like wow. Thanks again!! One of those paradoxical relationships but like just wanted to show my appreciation as someone who has been an avid listener but not an avid commenter. Keep it up❤❤

[@Lisa_McGuire]

The conversation with Becky and Maggie was so caring and thoughtful. When Becky would transition out of an increasing medical intervention description my thought pathway pivoted in great way. It was an exercise on mindfulness in real-time! TY❤

[@makailajackson4116]

I absolutely love the idea of a patient advocacy service! Such a great idea. Having an unbiased party to advocate for someone's needs. Big fan.

[@bec7518]

I had painful periods from when I first got them (9 years old), and it turned out to be endometriosis and adenomyosis (diagnosed at 18 years old). It was so hard to tell because of the normalization of period pain - the first time a medical professional said the same thing as Maggie, "pain that impacts your daily function isn't normal" I was shocked!

[@stephanieronczka7625]

I'm dealing with this now! My gyno finally listened to me and ordered an ultrasound because, per the provider, "you've been complaining about these symptoms for a year now." Two years actually, and no shit!

[@bec7518]

I hope you are getting the care and finding the progress you need. If it is endo, and they talk about surgery, make sure you ask if they will be using excision (which is the gold standard) or ablation (which is the more common but ineffective method of endo removal).

[@melodyide2248]

I take the pill without breaks because if I don't I can't walk during the bleeding days. Said it to two or three doctors and none of them told me it wasn't normal...

[@spines.and.needles]

For self help books, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle was actually wildly practical - loved it.

[@tammymiller6861]

so excited for the baby🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@gogrundy]

Great to hear all this advice from Nurse Maggie! Exercise does 100% help with period pain during your period :) it sucks to bring yourself to the gym when you feel like sh*t but it really does help

[@simplyzoemae]

Taking a Cal-Mag-Zinc helps so so much! I take them at night when my period starts and through the whole time! No more cramps!! I used to stay home from school / work / etc !!!

[@justinbieberlover890]

"so if you like cereal you can have some wich your yogurt inna morning" Maggie's so cute

[@Blubberblase7]

to everyone who has really bad cramps with their periods, mugwort herb as a tea does help. it relaxes your muscels and makes you really warm from inside. side effect is , that it makes you really sleepy and for some also intensly warm ( and I mean like really warm as heck with a lot of sweating). from my personal experiences, that one helped me, when not even the painkillers did work. it left me still unable to do any work, because of being so tired. but I´m rather a sleepy head all day, than rolling around in pain and agony. so if your cramps a disabeling you badly, you might as well try this tea. 1-2 teaspoons in a cup, boiling water on it and let it sit for 15 minutes. you can put other teas to it to make it taste better. if you let it sit for too long ( 30 minutes + ) it could send you right to nap town... I did this ones and I fell asleep on my chair after just a couple of sips 😅

[@katiedrago1961]

It may sound silly, but you can also record your office visit. This can also be very helpful if you were going to a complicated office visit without a friend or family member to write things down when you get overwhelmed

[@nidhivaidya6485]

Rachel mentioned doing this in the episode about her cancer journey!

[@chloechartrand-houle7112]

This is also a good thing to do if you take care of another person, i.e. someone taking care of an elderly parent who might forget things

[@sarbear5129]

So true on women our age putting off things! I had intense GI put it off for 2 months - turns out I have GERD! I kept thinking it’s anxiety it’s anxiety bc idk about you but I’ve heard that ALOT from doctors. Thank you for always making my Tuesday’s Tremendous!!

[@nadarocker7605]

This episode hit particularly close to home, because I was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and I did have to get IV injections 😁 (but I think it's better now lol.) Love these "Ask the Expert" episodes!

[@vicgauthier2707]

I have an advice for the chronic pain people. right down every symptome even if it sound stupid. so when you see your doctor you can say last month i puke 5 times, this month it was 10.. we need to verify or like everytime i eat that type of food my stomach get really hard. Have someone to fight for you when you are to tired to do it, get your partner to right each time you are in pain just so you can prove to the doctor that symptom are real

[@rayrunn]

What a wonderful episode 🥰 (as always💛)

[@FlagCutie]

A bit tangentially related to wellness, you know what's not as easy after 30? Getting back on a bike! 😂 I bought one this past weekend while hitting the yard sales, and after half an hour of riding, my butt was so sore! Still great fun!

[@marsieyt]

love this video sm as someone with a TON of medical anxiety. this was so helpful to hear that im not alone

[@juliarose0426]

I LOVE yall 🥺💕 also side not im so MAD! i didnt know you guys were still in nyc and i was THERE 😩😩😩😩 my heart shattereddddd lmfaoo

[@maricketts7]

I got an IUD in the last few months and my GP was not trained in the placement and so both her and a female nurse were in the room with me. Having both of them to walk me through it and actually hold my hands when it got to the most painful part. I was also diagnosed with anemia shortly before and a nurse friend got me an iron supplement with Vitamin C in it also.

[@lolololollipops]

love this topic and love this pod!!

[@harleysauceda5401]

I got my first colonoscopy the year before last at 19 after already having digestion issues and then an uncle on each side of my family getting diagnosed with colon cancer in the same month. I also already had precancerous polyps removed, so I also have to do it every 3 years now.

[@kennedeesmith3114]

I can’t get over how different the US is with preventative health to Canada, well at least Ontario. No specialists unless you have a referral from your primary care. Which means a pediatrician needs a referral too. No yearly blood tests. Choosing Wisely also doesn’t recommend yearly checkups anymore. Pap tests start at 21 and are every 3 years, unless you have an issue. Pelvic exams never happen as part of screening unless you have a condition / issue. Mammos start at 50 and every two years, again unless you have issue. Colonoscopy is only if you’re at risk, or your colon cancer screening (v different from colonoscopy)comes back with something. Vaccines are similar. Wow so many differences. I loved listening and learning. Thanks ladies. Ps. Again this is Ontario, I can’t speak to the other provinces. I imagine it even varies Doctor to doctor. But these are our current recommendations.

[@LeahVoysey]

i screamed when Becky said IUD, ugh that pain was so bad. I only knew to ask for something for pain and anxiety, because my friend told me to

[@taztess93]

Thank you Maggie! Pretty sure I did something to my foot and I haven’t gone to the doctor it’s finally starting to feel better.

[@moniquetroth]

For the iron-deficient anemic folks, you can also look for slow release iron. I take SlowFE, and it's way easier on my system (on "normal" iron, I would get quite extreme nausea about 30 minutes after taking it in addition to the other digestive issues).

[@marym5852]

I have really really bad cramps. Turns out I have hormone problems. My progesterone is super low. Definitely get some blood work and see if your doc will prescribe progesterone.

[@spiffymac617]

I was a rare case I let a male nursing student in on my labor and delivery of my son. I felt so bad for the guy he had been told no by every other woman there so i said yes. Oh boy did he get an education 57 hours in labor, ended up developing pre-eclampsia the hospital lost power and a couch was delivered to the birthing suite!! A male nursing student was the least of my worries! He was actually wonderful and got great pictures of my son for me. I remember apologizing to him for the write up he was going to have to do.

[@eeveem5271]

My two methods for soothing cramps is stretching and deep low morning almost like a cow mooing. Something about a deep hum/moan seems to shift my organs and minimize some of the pain from pressure

[@dualscreengrant]

Cereal usually has high amounts amounts of added sugar. It sucks because it's not expensive and can have lots of vitamins and and minerals if you buy the right kinds. But even the healthful cereal from the organic section in the grocery store has too much added sugar. Refined sugar causes acne, anxiety and lots of other health problems. There's a brand of cereal that I think is called Ezekiel, but it's bland and expensive.

[@Chantaya]

My advice for period pain if anyone like me can't have pain medication, is to get a period tens machine. Not an ad (lol) but I use the myoovi one that I bought on sale as they're kind of pricey (for me). They come in flesh colours so if you're wearing a white shirt it's less noticeable.

[@Annaloria27]

I just use a regular tens machine! It is the only thing that helps sometimes

[@bec7518]

I got one from TensAustralia but they're also available on Amazon

[@ashleyleasure9965]

I was listening to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, but I had to come to the video to say… TRY FLO VITAMINS. I have suffered with horrible awful terrible periods since I was 14 years old. Heavy bleeding, unbearable cramps, hormonal acne, the whole 9. I got put on birth control which did help some, but my flow was still heavy and my cramps were bad. I tried everything. When I tell you everything, I mean everything. I kept seeing ads (and honestly some of the ads are dumb) and I was like screw it, worst case scenario is it won’t do anything. Ladies. It has been LIFE CHANGING. After a couple of months my periods are so freaking light, little to no cramps. I get one pimple, if that. I don’t even get moody or anything! I tell all my friends about it because SERIOUSLY. I even told my doctor about it and she’s going to recommend it to her patients. Okay… end rant. Haha

[@wendycook6895]

Maggie tell the Drs to ask moms for the student Drs to be in the room. I wouldn't have been able to before I had kids. Somehow giving birth made me not care. Everyone has seen everything anyway... Lol also getting a dog is great advice. Zack gave that advice last year sometime. I got a dog in July last year and I've lost 45lbs from walking him everyday. ❤

[@Therealwojo]

I always say yes to students. I have a very good Dr though and I know they're learning from the best. I want them to have the most full experience as possible. As a teenager I was SA'd by a PA performing school sports physicals. Luckily, I was talking to my Mom about my experience and she immediately knew he was wrong and it turned out, it wasn't just me and we were able to get him removed from the facility and his license revoked. So, for a long time I didn't trust male medical professionals but, after some therapy and now that it's been 20 years, I'm much more comfortable with male professionals. You can ask for a witness though! Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself!

[@littleones0709]

You don't have to pay a fee if you don't have insurance anymore. It's the one thing the previous president did that was helpful. I hadn't had insurance since 2013, because we couldn't afford it and that fee was a slap in the face for us when we already couldn't afford care. Thankfully, my husband has been at the same job for 10 years and has gotten a few promotions so we're doing OK now. Which is good, because I got randomly diagnosed with a large brain aneurysm 6 months ago and had to have brain surgery.

[@julinelson1775]

I found that by taking out the tampon and using a pad helped with sever cramps.

[@simonsaysism]

I am alllways the one saying yes to health workers in training. I'm generally a very privative person but I just have a good compartmentalization of that feeling when it comes to matters of health, it really is just their job and it doesn't help anyone for me to feel weird about it.

[@jettybetty3173]

I have horrific period cramps and I highly recommend ice packs for cramps and back pain.

[@MoritAzul25]

Maggie, what are your thoughts on Lasik eye surgery?

[@mckenzie1539]

Haha, I said yes every time I was asked if a student could come in. Both pregnancies all the way through. Idk, I just did not care 🤷‍♀️ I am Type 1 diabetic though, so I was there a lot.

[@emelinawarsing6292]

I feel like this video just taught me how to live

[@ivylasangrienta6093]

I've been anemic since elementary age. Now my iron levels are lower than ever, because my system doesn't absorb nutrients properly, so I have a mouth spray iron supplement which is helping without making my poop black (and rock hard).

[@heyhighkay4933]

They do have medical Advocates! I am an advocate for unhoused people and I've worked with some medical Advocates, they are great! We should have more :)

[@MarisaS0821]

I am terrified of upsetting people so I let anyone in on my 1st labor. I think they caught on that I was going to say yes because I had every terrified young guy coming in on his ob rotation. I believe I saw at least 5 different guys in training. 😅

[@ciarastares2206]

The concept of an annual physical check up is wild to me because we do not do that in the UK lol, like you just go in to the doctor and say hey can you just give me full body check?

[@Payton-Deese]

Wow. Hearing all of these medical tests I should be getting regularly that I do not/have not makes me realize two things: 1. Wow I am probably way more unhealthy than I thought 2. I do not have the affordability to be healthy and functioning lol wow that sucks

[@anukasmunakas]

Spinach having lots of iron is a myth, but thered lots of stuff with iron like seeds, dairy, nuts, whole grains, i make smoothies with them

[@StargazerApril]

Hmmm. I’ve had colonoscopies since I was 20. Im due for one soon. Family history too with polyps

[@tressadavis346]

raspberry tea helps!

[@veronickacoyle9287]

I had two babies and both times i let the trainies in youre in so much pain that its kind of like eh fine just help get this over with!

[@sophiekuhn5342]

I don’t know if this is a Maggie or Rachel question, but I have an appointment to review my breast ultrasounds for a lump (possible fibroadenoma😢) but seemingly noncancerous. How do you cope with medical anxiety, and advocate for yourself re: women’s health issues with a male doc?

[@amanda5nicole]

Hey, I'm just a random person, but I suffer from a phobia that really impacts being able to access medical care. I sometimes get bad panic attacks. Whenever possible, I ask to meet and speak to the dr beforehand to go over my anxiety and what makes me feels more comfortable and ask for one dr in particuliar. I get prescribed Ativan for the day of because of my panic attacks and have someone join me. I ask for accomodations (like wearing a skirt so I feel more covered during an exam, or to coverup using medical sheet). I tell my symptoms and anxiety very factually and calmly. I find that speaking that style rather than story telling and going off in tangeants helps me being taken care more seriously. I also ask exactly what I should expect helps me prepare for the exam and calms me down because there are less surprises. Hope this helps:)

[@sophiekuhn5342]

@@amanda5nicole I have to work on being direct and voicing my concerns, I often just try to make minimal fuss and end up stressing out. I’m glad I’m not the only one 😅

[@emilyf4178]

Topical CBD with menthol in it is what works wonders for my super bad cramps!

[@Msmaam42069]

i always let people in when they’re students. i always just assume that to them i’m not human but a case lol. it helps it feel less personal

[@tiarizky7226]

16:48

[@Yourthe1iknwyour]

Labor is like the one thing I extra wouldn’t care about letting someone in training in on. Both times I was in labor it’s like the rest of the room is completely black the only thing that matters is pushing that baby out and your body you don’t even care about being naked in front of tons of people. Pooping in front of tons of people … just get ….it…..out.

[@lizeldred5484]

smear tests in the uk go get your smear

[@AvoryFaucette]

Ha, I will generally say yes to students but one time this woman was very attractive and they were doing the exam, like, quite slowly, and without being too graphic, the doctor said something about my body indicating it was a symptom of my condition and I was just thinking "oh God, no, I think it's because you have this very attractive person gently touching my bits, uh, stuff's gonna react." 😂 😂 Awwwwwkard!!

[@hanori519]

Yoooo not even dropping Kelsey Darragh’s anxiety book and anti-anxiety workbook Don’t F’ing Panic??🙉🙊 Yikes.

[@humankait4320]

If this helps anyone, I have depression and anxiety and had a really hard time getting appointments and timely care. I kept asking for a social worker (usually they work for the hospital or the doc office) and then my social worker helped me schedule all of my appointments and helped to prioritize me. I recommend it if you feel defeated, not sure how to navigate the system and need some help. ❤❤‍🩹❤❤‍🩹❤❤‍🩹