The Absence of Visible Disease Is Not the Absence of Suffering

Erika Conrad-Wess has lived with trigeminal neuralgia since 2004 more than two decades of invisible, relentless facial pain, multiple brain surgeries, and a healthcare system that didn't always believe her. Now the author of Nerve, a memoir of chronic pain, medical trauma, and surviving the healthcare system, she joins Kim Nash on The Chronic Truth to talk about what invisible pain really costs, why you have to become the project manager of your own healthcare, and how she redefined hope when a cure stopped being the goal. Pain doesn't have to be the whole story. But first, you have to be believed.     CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Understanding Chronic Pain and Invisible Illnesses07:07 The Importance of Empathy in Healthcare13:51 Navigating the Healthcare System: Advocacy and Self-Care20:58 Writing as Healing: Erica's Memoir Journey26:52 Building Support Communities for Chronic Pain PatientsCONNECT & RESOURCESErika Conrad-Wess: 📚 Nerve — Amazon, Barnes & Noble, erikaconradwess.com ⚠️ Verify URL 📱 Facebook: MVD Patient Support | Post MVD Support Group  The Chronic Truth Podcast: 🌐 Website: chronictruthpodcast.com 📱 Instagram: @ChronicTruthPodcast 📘 TikTok: @chronictruthpodcast 💬 Share Your Story: Testimonials📋 Community Survey: SurveyProduction Partner: Podcast Mechanic