“I just wish that I had been heard. I feel that had I had a doctor who had ordered the MRI earlier on, my story could have been different.”

This was Annemarie P.’s reality after six months of being dismissed by the traditional healthcare system, despite being a top 25 attorney in Charlotte who knew how to advocate for herself.

A Career of Success, but a Gap in Health

From collegiate athlete to law firm partner, Annemarie knows what it means to succeed. She’s been recognized as one of the top 25 attorneys in Charlotte and a top 100 attorney in North Carolina. Yet while she was excelling professionally, her health was not receiving the same level of attention.

As Annemarie explains, “My story starts with a knee replacement.”

In late 2023, she began experiencing issues with her knee. She knew something was wrong and repeatedly asked for an MRI, but instead was required to go through the standard protocol—physical therapy, injections, and months of waiting. Six months later, she finally received a diagnosis: a torn meniscus.

The meniscus surgery failed, and not long after, she needed a total knee replacement.

Missed Conversations Around Menopause

At the same time, Annemarie was approaching age 50, when many women are experiencing peri- menopause. Yet in more than 20 years with the same gynecologist, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) was never discussed. When she brought it up herself, her questions were dismissed.

“I wasn’t sleeping well, I had 15 extra pounds of weight on, and since I was on birth control, I didn’t know where I was at in terms of menopause. Each time I asked about HRT, nothing was done,” she recalls.

The frustration grew.

“I felt shuffled and invisible in the traditional healthcare environment. My PCP wasn’t helping me optimize my health—only stepping in when I was sick. Since I didn’t ‘look sick,’ nothing was being done.”

Searching for Something More

Annemarie wanted more than basic sick care. She wanted a physician who was informed, open to new therapies, and proactive in helping her optimize her health.

“I was doing my own research, listening to podcasts like Andrew Huberman’s. I wanted to talk about things like BPC-157 and NAD. I wasn’t even thinking about GLP-1s yet, but I wanted access if I decided they were right for me. I realized the traditional system wasn’t set up for that.

I decided I was going to spend my money on my health. I don’t want just a long life—I want a long healthy life.”

That’s when she found Companion Health.

Finally Heard

“When I went to see Dr. Jorge, he sat with me for over an hour … and I finally felt heard at the age of 51.”

Together they focused on fine-tuning her health:

• Gut testing, to support hormone balance
• Hormone testing and appropriate HRT
• Addressing genetically high cholesterol (previously overlooked)
• Exploring GLP-1 therapy
  

Real Results

Annemarie, a data-driven former collegiate athlete, was consistent with her workouts and nutrition—but still struggled with weight gain during perimenopause.

“I love talking about GLP-1s,” she says. “It’s just medication! There’s such a taboo around them, but for me, they were a tool that worked. I was never overweight, but by age 50 I was 20 pounds heavier than at 30. No one told me to lose weight, but I tried, and I couldn’t get it off. The GLP-1s stopped the food noise and gave me the focus I needed.”

Within three months, she lost the weight she had gained in perimenopause. Just as importantly, she maintained her healthy routines: three days of strength training, three days of walking, a protein- and fiber-rich diet, and reduced alcohol intake.

“Lifestyle has always mattered to me, and I didn’t lose sight of that,” she says.

Looking Ahead

Today, Annemarie feels like she has turned a corner.

“I think we have the HRT, weight, and cholesterol under control. Now I’d like to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat. In just six to eight months, I’ve made a huge turnaround.”

She also hopes to help normalize conversations around GLP-1s.

“For me, they were never about vanity. They were about health, energy, and feeling like myself again. We need to normalize these conversations—because when used responsibly, GLP-1s can be life-changing.”

Reflecting on her journey, she sums it up:

“2025 was the year of me—the year of health. You have to take your health into your own hands and find partners who will help you with those solutions. When your body is working well, everything else works well.”

If you’re tired of feeling unheard in traditional medicine, discover what personalized, concierge functional medicine in Charlotte can do for you. Apply for membership with Companion Health and start building your path to lasting wellness.