Rhythms and Routines – Susan Payrovi

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Susan Payrovi, MD, is a triple board-certified physician in anesthesiology, hospice and palliative medicine, and integrative medicine. Payrovi is also certified in functional medicine and medical acupuncture. She is a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University, where her clinical practice focuses on non-pharmaceutical lifestyle treatments of chronic disease. As part of her commitment to support the MS community, she has created an online wellness program called “TRUE Medicine” to ensure everyone has access to the lifestyle treatments that reliably improve immune health from the root cause.

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Our bodies often tell us what we need to know — if we’re willing to listen

It’s taken me three months to have enough distance and perspective to tell you about my once-in-a-lifetime trip that didn’t happen. I was all set to visit a favorite relative in Rome, with plans to stay in the dormitory of a 17th-century church with nuns. It was my first trip…

Susan Payrovi

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Ironically, cutting out coffee gave me a boost of energy

I wasn’t addicted to coffee. But my body was. As someone living well with multiple sclerosis, how I fuel my body matters to me — more than I sometimes realize. I didn’t fully appreciate how caffeine was affecting me until, by chance, I skipped it for two days. That…

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A night on the dance floor reminded me of the power of seeking joy

At 50, I’m realizing there are a lot of things I’ve stopped doing: nightclubs, late nights, obsessing over my hair, changing my outfit three times before leaving the house, staring at my phone waiting for a boy to call, and caring way too much about what other people think. That’s…

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How hand weakness led me to a meaningful career in medicine

To call my medical career a series of random pivots is an understatement. I have multiple sclerosis (MS) to thank for this wandering journey, one with an uncertain destination, but a surprisingly meaningful landing place. Anesthesiology was my first love. I adored tinkering with the anesthesia machine, working with…

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How dry eyes helped me embrace MS uncertainty

As a physician, I hang my hat on certainty, where a certain medical issue can be solved with a certain medication. But when it comes to real life, especially as a parent and a person living with multiple sclerosis (MS), I know there’s little certainty in everyday living. My…

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Turning 50 with MS feels like a new beginning

I celebrated my mid-century birthday two weeks ago with an online dance party with friends, family, and patients in “The Myelin Room” — a monthly Zoom event. At 50, I’ve officially grown up. I no longer think of myself as a “girl.” The more dignified “woman” feels more appropriate.


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