#43 Rage into Change: Evelyn Scott on Endometriosis, Chronic Pain, and Advocacy

**Episode 43: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast** *#43 Rage into Change: Evelyn Scott on Endometriosis, Chronic Pain, and Advocacy* **Have you ever been medically gaslit, told your pain was “normal,” or that it was all in your head?** If so, this episode is for you. Host Emily Johnson welcomes Evelyn Scott, a Surrey-based academic turned women’s health advocate and author of *A Bloody Scandal: How Medicine Fails Women in Pain.* Evelyn lives with severe endometriosis, a condition it took fifteen years to diagnose, with symptoms dismissed from her early teens as “just a bad period.” After being failed again and again by the very systems meant to help her, and finally diagnosed by pure chance in A&E, she began sharing her story online, building a community of tens of thousands of women and discovering that gynaecological neglect is a global scandal. In this honest and empowering conversation, Evelyn opens up about medical misogyny, the real cost of years of dismissal, and the practical tools that help her advocate for herself. Whether that is writing notes before appointments, to learning that you can always say no to your doctor. Whether you live with arthritis, endometriosis, or any chronic condition where you’ve had to fight to be believed, this episode is a reminder that you are the expert of your own body, and you are not alone. **Topics covered:** *Fighting to Be Believed* - **Normalised From the Start** Bleeding through her school uniform, being bullied, and told “everyone has periods” - **Fifteen Years to Diagnosis** Dismissed for over a decade, “normal” scans, and a diagnosis found by chance - **Finally Seen** The strange relief of proof that it was never “all in her head” *A Bloody Scandal* - **Medical Misogyny** “Just get pregnant,” “you’re wasting our time,” and being called hysterical - **Why Women Are Failed** Gynaecological neglect across the UK, US and Australia - **A Better Way** Empathy-led medicine, care plans, and treating endometriosis as an inflammatory disease *Advocating for Yourself* - **You Can Say No** Noting dismissals on your records and asking for second and third opinions - **Your Secret Weapon** Writing notes, bringing someone with you, and using PALS and your MP - **Rest and Be Kind** Painkillers, hot water bottles, therapy, and learning to trust your body again ***About the podcast*** With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. ***Episode Links*** Live Well with Arthritis Programme Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download **Evelyn Scott @evelynscott1987** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynscott1987/ - Book: A Bloody Scandal: How Medicine Fails Women in Pain (available from Waterstones, Amazon, WHSmith and all good booksellers) - Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-bloody-scandal/evelyn-scott/9780008761349 **Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie ***Further Resources:*** https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.