Today we are interviewing Kate Mitchell, an author and Fibro Warrior from Nashville, TN. She was diagnosed in 2011, when she was 20.
What lead up to your diagnosis?
My primary rheumatologist (who I saw for Rheumatoid Arthritis) had been talking about my neuropathic pain for a few months. When I started seeing my secondary rheumatologist (who was in Nashville; primary is in Massachusetts), she focused in on the fibro based on my muscle pains, generalized pain, and fatigue.
How long have you had RA?
We aren’t sure how long exactly I have had RA. My orthopedic surgeon believes that I have had it in my system since I was 13 – that was when my first surgery was, and it was unsuccessful (due to the RA, according to him) – but I didn’t realize that it was a problem beyond my ankle until I was 19. That was when I was diagnosed.
Were you working at the time?
I was a full-time student and working as an RA at Vanderbilt University, where I was a junior at the time.
What was your family life like?
Single college student. I lived in a dorm. My family (parents and younger sister) were in Maine.
How did your family initially handle your illness?
I think my dad accepted it okay. My mom had a ton of questions, and it felt like she was questioning it a lot.
How has your family/ work situation changed since Fibromyalgia entered your life?
Well, at the beginning of October in 2011 I quit my job as an RA. I went to class when I could, but that was the worst year of my medical life. Since then, I have graduated from college (thanks to finally finding a successful RA treatment and managing the fibro) and currently live in Nashville full time and work as a high school teacher.
What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of Fibro?
Explaining it to people who don’t know about it, probably. Also, trying to find time to do the things that help keep it managed.
[Tweet “It’s difficult to explain chronic pain to those who don’t live with it. via @kmitchellauthor”]
Do you have any other co-existing conditions? If so, what are they and how do they impact your Fibromyalgia?
I do. I have Sero-Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis. We believe that the Fibro developed as a result of the RA. In my experience, when my RA is better, the fibro is better. When the RA gets bad, the Fibro gets bad. So, for example, I’m on a working treatment right now for the RA. For the first 4.5 months that I’m on it, things are great with a few bumps in the road. When we get to the last 1.5 months, before my next RA treatment, things start getting rough. I honestly notice my fibro symptoms getting worse before I notice the RA symptoms when this happens. Seronegative means that I test negative to the blood test for RA. There are plenty of people who do, and it isn’t that uncommon.
What (if anything) have you found/ done that has improved your symptoms?
I am on some medications, which help. Yoga really, really helps. Exercising on a regular basis helps. And watching for warning signs and knowing when to start taking it easy is very important.
How open are you with friends & family about your illness & symptoms?
I’m very open and always have been. This is probably due to the fact that I’ve been dealing with chronic pain since I was 10 years old (making me in year 13 of constant chronic pain). It has been a huge part of my life, so I feel comfortable talking about it with people, especially because that can help them understand better and maybe treat other people with these conditions better.
[Tweet “It’s important to be open about our conditions as helps others understand. via @kmitchellauthor”]
Do you blog about your illness? If so, what inspired you to do so?
I do! I mostly do because I want to show people that it doesn’t have to ruin your life or take it over 100%. It is a large part of my life, yes, but it isn’t all of who I am. The benefit to me dealing with this for so long is that I grew up and learned how to be an adult dealing with pain. I have seen so many adults who were extremely active or who haven’t experienced chronic pain being devastated by learning about their chronic illness and not knowing how to deal with it and still live a life. So I do blog about it, because it is important for people to understand 1) certain ways to manage their chronic illness/pain/etc. and 2) that just because it’s a big part of your life doesn’t mean that it is all of your life. I blog about infusions, traveling with chronic pain, doctor’s appointments, and more, but I also write about all the other cool parts of my life. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
Your website lists you as an author, tell us about your book.
I am an author! My first novel, Aureole, was published in July 2012. I wrote Aureole when I was a senior in high school. I had a lot of down time because of surgeries and not feeling well/recovering, and I threw myself into it. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and I’ve wanted to be a published author for forever. I’m currently working on a book of short stories as well as another novel. I’m hoping to finish and publish the novel by October 2016.
What is the best advice you’ve received regarding Fibromyalgia?
I have honestly never received good advice regarding fibromyalgia. The advice I’ve gotten from people has either been unhelpful/insulting (usually from someone who has no idea what it’s like living with it) or generic and something that I’ve heard a million time and therefore doesn’t help me at all.
What was the worst advice that you followed?
“Don’t talk about it.” I tried this. It just made me feel alone and like my voice was gone.
What is your favorite to cope with your life as a spoonie?
The Internet. Reading. Writing (books and blogging). It’s a great way to be a part of the world even when your body is telling you that it can’t handle leaving the house.
What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself since your diagnosis?
That I can handle way more than I thought I could.
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