Chronic Pain Isn’t a Moral Failure: Samantha Duran on Pain, Stigma & Survival

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by @Samantha Duran, a chronic illness and pain advocate, accessible fashion designer and content creator who is radically honest about life with chronic illness.

We talk about the parts of chronic pain that rarely make it into doctor’s offices or public conversations: the shame around needing relief, the reality of public judgment, and the exhausting internal battle of deciding how much pain is “enough” pain to deserve care. Together, we unpack the misconceptions that keep people suffering in silence.

We’re diving into: ✨ Samantha’s journey with chronic illness and how it shaped who she is ✨ Why dynamic disabilities are so misunderstood ✨ The stigma around pain management and seeking relief ✨ The internal guilt, fear, and self-doubt that comes with chronic pain ✨ What compassionate, patient-centered pain care should look like

If you’ve ever minimized your pain, questioned whether you’re “sick enough,” or felt ashamed for wanting relief, this conversation is for you.

xx, Alex

💬 Comment: What’s the hardest part of living with chronic pain that people don’t see?

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:03:15 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Hair Growth Go-Tos: DIVI, K18, Jupiter, Hairstory)

Our discussion on chronic pain & dynamic disabilities:

00:06:10 Get to know Samantha Duran

00:14:45 The reality of living with a dynamic disability

00:27:20 What living with chronic pain is REALLY like

00:48:00 Why there is a stigma around seeking relief from chronic pain

00:55:15 Why the current medical system’s understanding of chronic pain makes getting relief harder than it needs to be

01:06:47 What gives us hope that chronic pain management will improve over time

Conclusion:

01:08:55 One Brain Cell Segment

01:14:17 Thank you for listening!

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Follow our Guest, Samantha Duran!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adisabledicon/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adisabledicon?lang=en

Shop her Store: https://thanksicon.com/

Listen to her chronic pain playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6OgAKjwfWMATonF4pNnBHP?si=IRavatdDTzmC0hPmZERoRw

Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

Samantha said it best… you can be sick, and hot!! Here are my favorite products for reclaiming your hair from chronic illness (no more thinning or frail hair!!)

✨DIVI — https://go.shopmy.us/p-36240548

Alexandra15 for 15% off at checkout! 

✨Jupiter — https://go.shopmy.us/p-36240630

Alexandra20 for 20% off at checkout! 

✨HairStory — https://go.shopmy.us/p-36240725

✨K18 —https://go.shopmy.us/p-36240750

#ChronicPain #PainManagement #InvisibleIllness #SpoonieLife

#MedicalGaslighting #DisabilityAdvocate #ChronicIllness

#HealthJourney #MentalHealth #PainStigma #CallingInSickPodcast

#AlexWildeson #spooniesupport #samanthaduran #accessibility #dynamicdisability #ambulatorydisability 

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