Navigating Relationships with Chronic Illness with L. A. Sprague

In Sickness and in Health with L. A. Sprague (AND HER HUSBAND :D)

Chronic illness doesn’t just change your body, it rewrites your calendar, your energy, and the way you measure a “good day.” We sit down as a newlywed Christian couple and talk honestly about marriage with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and chronic depression, including what it’s like to name those realities early in dating and why a supportive response matters more than perfect advice.  We get into the day-to-day stuff that rarely makes it into tidy marriage stories: learning to “listen to your body” when you can’t tell whether you need rest or movement, navigating flare-ups without turning them into shame, and dealing with the pressure to be productive to feel worthy. We also talk about what support actually looks like in a chronic illness relationship, from emotional steadiness to practical caregiving, and the tricky line between encouragement and accidental enablement.  Then we zoom out to the bigger picture: the idea that chronic illness can feel like a third spouse in the room, pulling focus away from the person you love. We share simple ways we keep seeing each other as whole people, not diagnoses, including shared hobbies, getting out of the house when we can, and making space for disagreement and faith questions without losing loyalty. If you’re navigating Christian marriage, caregiving, depression, POTS, or chronic illness support, this conversation is for you.  If this helped, please follow, rate, and subscribe, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What’s one habit that helps you feel seen when health is hard? * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] *  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.com * Contribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses: * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * Follow us: *  Facebook: Christians With Chronic Illnesses * TikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast *  Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty [https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWm9hc2ZkSGNUdWFmS0kweAEeb73hej37RqQI2MzURTLiYrPI7HADaOZe_VuxnIagMBq-vilZ6N3r_kf7Aow_aem_rYIbI4HuaLFW_uUY5lH2hA]  * Visit our website * https://christianswithchronicillnesses.buzzsprout.com/2552643/about

Serving God Amidst Your Chronic Illness with Lindsey Rice

Pain that starts in childhood is hard enough. Being dismissed by doctors while you’re still trying to figure out who you are can shape your entire life. We sit down with Lindsay, a Chicago-based teacher and leader with Perspectives USA, to talk about what it’s like to follow Jesus while living with multiple chronic illnesses, including Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, dysautonomia, POTS, and seizure symptoms that made daily life feel unpredictable. We get specific about what these diagnoses can look like in real life: years of “growing pains” that weren’t growing pains, Crohn’s symptoms that didn’t match the usual script, and neurological issues that are so hard to describe you can only say, “Everything feels weird.” Lindsay also shares the rare gift of being believed by the right doctors and how collaborative care can change everything, especially when your file is complicated and your symptoms cross multiple body systems. We also dig into chronic illness management in a way that’s honest and practical. Medication can be necessary and life-giving, but it’s rarely the only tool. We talk about diet changes like going gluten-free for inflammation, the value of physical therapy and counseling, the impact of sleep, and why patient advocacy matters so much for women navigating the U.S. healthcare system. Spiritually, we wrestle with identity, grief, and calling, holding to the truth that God doesn’t waste suffering or seasons, even when your original plans have to pivot. If you’ve ever wondered how to serve God with limitations, Lindsay offers a framework that brings hope: go, send, welcome, and mobilize. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more chronically ill Christians can find this community. * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] *  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.com * Contribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses: * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * Follow us: *  Facebook: Christians With Chronic Illnesses * TikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast *  Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty [https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWm9hc2ZkSGNUdWFmS0kweAEeb73hej37RqQI2MzURTLiYrPI7HADaOZe_VuxnIagMBq-vilZ6N3r_kf7Aow_aem_rYIbI4HuaLFW_uUY5lH2hA]  * Visit our website * https://christianswithchronicillnesses.buzzsprout.com/2552643/about

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS): Deep Dive with L. A. Sprague

PCOS isn’t gone, but the name is changing for a reason. We’re talking about PMOS, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, and why this new label finally points to what so many people have felt for years: the problem is bigger than ovarian cysts. If you’ve ever tried to explain your symptoms and got blank stares, this deep dive is meant to give you language that makes sense. We walk through what “polyendocrine,” “metabolic,” and “ovarian” actually mean in everyday life, including how hormone dysregulation can ripple into energy, mood, weight changes, skin and hair changes, and fertility concerns. We keep it practical with a clear explanation of insulin resistance, why it can leave you fatigued and foggy, and why PMOS is often tied to cardiometabolic risk. We also talk about what’s commonly used for diagnosis: needing two of three key signs, plus tools like hormone blood tests and ultrasound. Because PMOS can feel heavy, we also name the mental health side honestly, including anxiety, depression, and the emotional toll of feeling dismissed. And we end with hope, community resources, and a faith-centered reminder from the story of the bleeding woman: you are not disgusting, you are not rejected, and you are not alone. If this helped you, share it with a friend, subscribe so you don’t miss the next deep dive, and leave a review so more chronic illness warriors can find us. Sources: * https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439 [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439] * https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22002-androgens [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22002-androgens] * https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/polyendocrine [https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/polyendocrine] * https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/endocrine-glands-and-their-hormones [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/endocrine-glands-and-their-hormones] * https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21893-metabolism [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21893-metabolism] * https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22999-ovaries [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22999-ovaries] * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndrome [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndrome] * https://www.nyp.org/healthmatters/pcos-is-now-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-pmos-why-the-change * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] *  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.com * Contribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses: * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * Follow us: *  Facebook: Christians With Chronic Illnesses * TikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast *  Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty [https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWm9hc2ZkSGNUdWFmS0kweAEeb73hej37RqQI2MzURTLiYrPI7HADaOZe_VuxnIagMBq-vilZ6N3r_kf7Aow_aem_rYIbI4HuaLFW_uUY5lH2hA]  * Visit our website * https://christianswithchronicillnesses.buzzsprout.com/2552643/about

Depression, Epilepsy, and Praise with Becca Sugg

She broke her nose from a seizure a week before a major show and still performed. That single detail captures the tension we explore with Becca Sugg: the call to create, lead, and serve while living with chronic illness that can interrupt your life without warning. Becca is a Christian rock musician, lead vocalist of Reclaim the Day, studio owner, mentor to young artists, and she brings a rare mix of grit and tenderness to the realities of faith, health, and work. We trace her journey from the Christian music scene into full-time music, including running Reclaim the Day Studios and teaching at Rock Stars of Tomorrow. From there, we get specific about epilepsy and seizures, including focal seizures that feel like a “reset,” plus the auras, fatigue, and lifestyle triggers that can build toward bigger episodes. Becca shares what helps her manage epilepsy while touring and performing, how she navigates stage lighting, and why hydration, sleep, stress management, and nutrition are not “nice extras” but part of staying alive and stable. Then we move into the parts many people avoid saying out loud: depression and anxiety that can distort reality, create spirals, and strain a marriage. Becca talks about irritability, suicidal thoughts, and what changed when she accepted help, including fluoxetine (generic Prozac) as a medication that felt more neutral for her. We also talk about practicing gratitude, praising God in the storm, and learning to see ourselves through God’s eyes rather than through diagnoses like rheumatoid arthritis or labels like “medically frail.” If you’re looking for Christian encouragement for chronic illness, epilepsy support, and honest mental health conversations, you'll find it here. Subscribe for more stories like this, share with a friend who feels alone in their health journey, and leave a review so more listeners can find Christians with Chronic Illnesses. * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] *  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.com * Contribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses: * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * Follow us: *  Facebook: Christians With Chronic Illnesses * TikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast *  Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty [https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWm9hc2ZkSGNUdWFmS0kweAEeb73hej37RqQI2MzURTLiYrPI7HADaOZe_VuxnIagMBq-vilZ6N3r_kf7Aow_aem_rYIbI4HuaLFW_uUY5lH2hA]  * Visit our website * https://christianswithchronicillnesses.buzzsprout.com/2552643/about

Reading Your Messages with L. A. Sprague

You can love Jesus and still be worn down to the bone. Today we're doing something simple but surprisingly powerful: reading your messages and responding in real time, with the deep breaths, low energy, and imperfect moments that come with life as a Christian with chronic illness. If you’ve ever wished someone would ask “How are you doing?” and actually mean it, this one is for you. We talk about depression and chronic illness without sugarcoating it, including what it’s like to be the person who “seems joyful” while privately fighting major depressive disorder. We share why toxic positivity is not the goal and why faith doesn’t require you to pretend you’re okay. Grief, honesty, and real mental health support belong in Christian spaces, and we want this podcast to be one of them. We also respond to listeners who feel validated for the first time while navigating flares, doctors, and spiritual doubt, plus a parent facing POTS and the daily grind of parenting with chronic illness. We touch on community resources for faith and chronic illness, including Broken and Mended, other podcasts, and how you can connect with us through Discord and our Facebook group. If your faith feels fragile, you’re still welcome here. If this brought you comfort, please subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more chronically ill believers can find us. What part of your story do you wish someone would finally understand? * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] Purchase here: https://a.co/d/6dM3f89 Music for The Supernatural Case of an Accidental Time Traveler Ad: https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/sketch-book License code: FFWQZDUHONOHPA8O Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2552643/support] *  Share your story: CWCIPodcast@gmail.com * Contribute towards the production of Christians With Chronic Illnesses: * https://www.patreon.com/c/CWCIpodcast * Follow us: *  Facebook: Christians With Chronic Illnesses * TikTok, IG, X, Threads, Twitch, & YouTube: @CWCIPodcast *  Discord Support Group https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty [https://discord.gg/ZaWMkbGSty?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWm9hc2ZkSGNUdWFmS0kweAEeb73hej37RqQI2MzURTLiYrPI7HADaOZe_VuxnIagMBq-vilZ6N3r_kf7Aow_aem_rYIbI4HuaLFW_uUY5lH2hA]  * Visit our website * https://christianswithchronicillnesses.buzzsprout.com/2552643/about