In this Anxiety Chick’s life update episode , Taylor shares the appointment that changed everything: confirmed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis after years of putting off a positive ANA workup. She opens up about confusing symptoms she’d chalked up to anxiety, why finally seeing a great rheumatologist mattered, and what treatment decisions might look like from here.
Alison checks in on her own health journey…follow-up imaging, perimenopause shifts, colonoscopy planning and the very real stress of waiting for results. Together, the Chicks talk about advocating for yourself, finding doctors who listen, using your insurance (PPOs!) strategically, and balancing nervous-system care with medical care.

What We Cover

Taylor’s diagnosis: Hashimoto’s + rheumatoid arthritis—what that means and why it’s a relief and a lot to process

Autoimmune 101: ANA, thyroid antibodies (TPO), flares, allostatic load, and why symptoms can mimic anxiety

Next steps: Rheumatology vs. endocrinology, why early treatment can prevent progression, and building a plan

When anxiety overlaps with illness: differentiating flares from fear, and why self-gaslighting is easy to do

Self-advocacy: symptom logging, asking for an expanded thyroid panel, and the reality that a positive ANA can occur in healthy people

Finding the right doctor: why crowdsourced local Facebook groups can beat star ratings, and how to use your PPO without referrals

Alison’s update: non-invasive imaging follow-up (results pending), perimenopause changes, colonoscopy prep basics, and pacing life when you’re overstimulated

Nervous system care: stress, sleep, and small tools that help while you wait for answers (including Alison’s mention of the Restore Patch)

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