I've been thinking about how in a lot of ways chronic illness is kind of like a marriage. This post isn't as serious as most of my posts, I wanted to have a bit of fun, and take a light-hearted (tongue-in-cheek) look at how chronic illness is like a marriage. Sometimes we get stuck in … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to Caregivers
Off and on for the last 8 years I've been the one needing care. I've struggled as a patient, but I never knew how much my caregivers struggled as well. I only saw my pain and my struggles. Recently, that has changed. I'm learning what it's like to be on the other side and just how … [Read more...]
6 Things I Focus on When Dealing with Energy Vampires
Do you have someone in your life you'd call out as an energy vampire? Someone who seems to just suck the life and energy out of you in no time at all?Sadly, too often the worst energy vampire in your life is someone close to you, a family member or a good friend. I've had those people in my life. I … [Read more...]
7 Positive Facebook Support Groups for Fibromyalgia
Facebook seems to have everything these days. Facebook groups have largely replaced online forums as a place to go to get questions answered about most any topic. But, not all Facebook groups are created equally, especially when it comes to finding support groups. For years, I largely avoided the … [Read more...]
Fibromyalgia and the Importance of Forgiveness
Fibromyalgia and Forgiveness You may not think that forgiveness (or holding a grudge) would play a role in fibromyalgia, but as with all negative emotions it can play a huge role in the symptoms you experience. Holding a grudge is the opposite of forgiveness. Along with that grudge comes the … [Read more...]
10 things that are making you feel worse
When you live with chronic illness it's not always the physical actions that make you feel worse. It's not all about what you eat or don't eat, or whether you exercise, or take your meds. Often, the interactions and emotions you allow in your life can do just as much to leave you feeling just as bad … [Read more...]
The Stew of Pain: the highly sensitive person, chronic stress, and chronic pain
The Stew of Pain: The Highly Sensitive Person, Chronic Stress, C-PTSD and Central Pain Sensitization guest post by Jade Bald I am part of a subgroup of people who make up 15-20 percent of the world’s population I’m a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). I discovered I had the trait about a year … [Read more...]
No one understands chronic pain until they get it
What's the difference in sympathy and empathy? Only someone who shares our experience can really be empathetic, because no one really "gets" chronic pain until they get it! To be empathetic they don't' have to be in the hole with us, but they do have to have been in the hole at some point. Those … [Read more...]
Advice Overload Adds Stress to Chronic Illness
When you live with chronic illness, you find that advice comes at you from every direction. Everyone you speak to seems to know everything about your illness and exactly what you should do to feel better. All that advice is overwhelming... Eat this don't eat that! Exercise more! Don't … [Read more...]
My Story of Recovery from Fibromyalgia
It's been a decade since I became ill and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I spent the first two years barely existing. Getting out of bed was a struggle. Thankfully, I did find some answers that helped me recover and return to a mostly normal life. My story of recovery from fibromyalgia Don't get … [Read more...]
