Welcome to the Calling in Sick, hosted by Alex Wildeson and produced by Just Media. On this podcast, Alex shares her unfiltered personal journey battling several autoimmune and chronic conditions including Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Vasculitis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) / Lupus, Endometriosis, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She also provides practical “how-to” guides, explores hot topics, and welcomes other warriors, medical professionals, advocates and creators on the show to shed light on the latest healing modalities, promising treatments, and myth bust popular misconceptions and trendy health hacks. Tune in for some laughs, tears, and growth… but stay for the camaraderie and community. You can engage with Alex and the community through social media @callinginsickpod. We promise, you don’t need a doctor’s note for this one!
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Welcome to the Calling in Sick, hosted by Alex Wildeson and produced by Just Media. On this podcast, Alex shares her unfiltered personal journey battling several autoimmune and chronic conditions including Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Vasculitis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) / Lupus, Endometriosis, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She also provides practical “how-to” guides, explores hot topics, and welcomes other warriors, medical professionals, advocates and creators on the show to shed light on the latest healing modalities, promising treatments, and myth bust popular misconceptions and trendy health hacks. Tune in for some laughs, tears, and growth… but stay for the camaraderie and community. You can engage with Alex and the community through social media @callinginsickpod. We promise, you don’t need a doctor’s note for this one!
Dr. Karan Rajan on Medical Dismissal, Chronic Illness, and the Rise of Health Misinformation
Calling In Sick
1 hour 27 minutes
3 months ago
Dr. Karan Rajan on Medical Dismissal, Chronic Illness, and the Rise of Health Misinformation
This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by the one and only Dr. Karan Rajan (@dr-karan-explores) — NHS surgeon, educator, and one of the most trusted voices cutting through health misinformation on TikTok. This episode is all about the emotional and medical consequences of constant dismissal and gaslighting — especially for women and people with chronic illness. When you’re told “it’s just anxiety” over and over again, it’s no wonder so many patients turn to the internet in search of answers. And unfortunately? The internet doesn’t always get it right.
We’re digging into:
💭 Why “you’re just anxious” has become medicine’s favorite (and a dangerous) catch-all
🧠 How being dismissed by doctors leads patients toward TikTok, Instagram, and wellness rabbit holes
🔍 Why some unlicensed “experts” thrive online — and how to navigate health content without shame or pseudoscience
🗣️ Real advice for self-advocacy at medical appointments
💚 The one thing Dr. Karan wishes medicine had more of
Whether you’ve walked out of a doctor’s office questioning your reality, or found yourself spiraling through symptoms, supplements, and side effects — this episode is your reminder: You’re not alone. You’re not dramatic. You’re not just anxious.
xx,
Alex
This week, let us know... What’s a moment you knew something was wrong — but no one believed you?
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick!
00:02:40 Alex’s Picks of the Week
00:05:50 Introduction to Dr. Karan Rajan
00:21:15 How being dismissed by doctors leads patients toward TikTok, Instagram, and wellness rabbit holes
00:34:15 Why “you’re just anxious” has become medicine’s favorite (and a dangerous) catch-all
00:44:50 Why some unlicensed “experts” thrive online — and how to navigate health content without shame or pseudoscience
00:54:30 Viral medical misconceptions
01:12:30 One Brain Cell Shows: The Sandman
01:16:00 Thank you for listening!
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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/
Alex’s Picks of the Week:
✨Lotus Wei — https://www.lotuswei.com/alexandrawildeson
✨Clevr Strawberry Matcha — https://clevrblends.com/AWILDESON
— AWILDESON for 15% off all orders!!!
✨YumeRest Duvet — https://go.shopmy.us/p-21120056
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Calling In Sick
Welcome to the Calling in Sick, hosted by Alex Wildeson and produced by Just Media. On this podcast, Alex shares her unfiltered personal journey battling several autoimmune and chronic conditions including Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Vasculitis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) / Lupus, Endometriosis, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She also provides practical “how-to” guides, explores hot topics, and welcomes other warriors, medical professionals, advocates and creators on the show to shed light on the latest healing modalities, promising treatments, and myth bust popular misconceptions and trendy health hacks. Tune in for some laughs, tears, and growth… but stay for the camaraderie and community. You can engage with Alex and the community through social media @callinginsickpod. We promise, you don’t need a doctor’s note for this one!
