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You are here: Home / Archives for decreasing pain

Fibromyalgia and the Importance of Forgiveness

Last Updated: February 19, 2021

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...]

3 Comments Filed Under: Coping, Extra Spoons, Fibro and Marriage, Fibromyalgia, Medical Studies, relationships Tagged With: acceptance, decreasing pain, decreasing stress, forgiveness

Magnesium for Fibromyalgia

Last Updated: November 28, 2020

Using Magnesium to treat fibromyalgia pain

Magnesium for Fibromyalgia Some of the earliest recommendations that I received for Fibromyalgia involved magnesium. A friend suggested epson salt baths and my chiropractor suggested taking magnesium supplements. Since those early days, I've read many studies that confirm that most of us with … [Read more...]

2 Comments Filed Under: Coping, Fibromyalgia, Tips and Tricks, Treatment Tagged With: chronic pain, decreasing pain, supplements

Distraction as Pain Reliever: 10 ways to distract yourself from pain

Last Updated: November 5, 2020

10 ways to distract yourself from pain (image of a fidget spinner)

Distraction as Pain Relief: 10 Ways to Distract Yourself From Pain Whenever my TMJ doctor does trigger point injections on me, one of his nurses will gently tap on my shoulder or head on the opposite side from where the injection is going. It took me a couple of visits before I realized this was a … [Read more...]

10 Comments Filed Under: Coping, Fibromyalgia, Medical Studies, Treatment Tagged With: chronic pain, decreasing pain, decreasing stress

Chronic illness and letting go of guilt

Last Updated: August 18, 2020

Letting go of guilt with chronic illness

Chronic illness and guilt go hand in hand, it seems. There are so many types of guilt that we deal with every day that dealing with guilt becomes another symptom of chronic illness. I often feel guilt related to living with chronic illness. Guilt at not being able to do the things others … [Read more...]

2 Comments Filed Under: Coping, inspiration Tagged With: chronic fatigue, decreasing pain, decreasing stress, guilt

Are these seven habits increasing your pain and fatigue?

Last Updated: August 13, 2020

Are these 7 habits making you feel worse

Chronic illness is fatiguing enough. Yet, sometimes we do things (often unknowingly) that zap our energy, create stress, and leave us even more fatigued. Below are seven habits that are increasing your stress, pain, and fatigue, and generally making you feel worse.      1 . … [Read more...]

1 Comment Filed Under: Coping, Extra Spoons, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: asking for help, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, decreasing pain, decreasing stress, stress

CBD for Fibro Relief

Last Updated: June 10, 2019

Fibro Relief CBD capsules from Every Day Optimal - a review from Counting My Spoons

If you've been around my blog much at all you know I'm a huge fan of CBD oil. I've continued to use CBD oil nightly since I first tried it about two years ago and finally started sleeping easily and well throughout the night. CBD oil tincture is primarily what I use, but I also use topical … [Read more...]

1 Comment Filed Under: Fibromyalgia, migraine, sponsored, Treatment Tagged With: anxiety, cbd oil, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, decreasing pain, sleep

Does Anger Increase Pain?

Last Updated: September 26, 2018

Anger increases pain in fibromyalgia (no really!)

Does anger increase pain? It always amazes me that they do studies to prove what (to me) seems obvious. Those of us with the chronic pain of fibromyalgia already know that the stress of negative emotions like anger increases pain. Anger increases pain. Stress increases pain. Anger increases … [Read more...]

1 Comment Filed Under: Coping, Extra Spoons, Fibromyalgia, Tips and Tricks, Treatment Tagged With: anxiety, chronic illness, chronic pain, decreasing pain, decreasing stress, mental health

6 steps for coping with stress and improving your Fibromyalgia symptoms

Last Updated: April 30, 2018

6 steps for coping with stress and minimizing the symptoms of chronic illness

Coping with Stress to Reduce Fibromyalgia Symptoms Learning to cope with Fibromyalgia is stressful. Your body becomes unpredictable and you rarely know what to expect from one day to the next. This creates stress and can often make us feel even worse. Coping with stress can be a key to improving … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Coping, Fibromyalgia, Symptoms, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: chronic fatigue, chronic pain, decreasing pain, decreasing stress, stress

4 Things I Avoid to Keep My Pain Levels Low

Last Updated: September 18, 2017

4 things I avoid to keep my pain levels low

4 Things I Avoid to Keep My Pain Levels Low In August of 2017, I went to Chicago for the Midwest Chronic Pain Education and Treatment Expo. It was a really great event full of vendors showing off unique products and services that help those of us with chronic pain. As well as, some amazing … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Extra Spoons, Fibromyalgia, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: chronic pain, decreasing pain

TechCare TENS for chronic pain

Last Updated: March 24, 2017

TechCare TENS Unit

I've shared a few times here about how TENS has helped me through many chronic pain issues. I was first introduced to TENS through physical therapy for tennis elbow back in 2007. I can't recall if that was when I received my first home unit as well. Back then they were expensive and I was lucky that … [Read more...]

1 Comment Filed Under: Tips and Tricks, Treatment Tagged With: alternative therapies, chronic pain, decreasing pain, product review

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About Julie

Spoonie. Fibro Warrior. E-health advocate.

Julie Ryan was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2010 and endometriosis in 2012. She's lived with chronic migraine most of her life. In 2019 she was diagnosed with inter-cranial hypertension.

Julie has a degree in Psychology, and works as a freelance writer and marketer. Freelance work allows her to work when she can and not be tied to a desk or a schedule. Julie believes in living an inspired life despite chronic illness.

"I have chronic illness, it doesn't have me."

More about Julie

Blog title inspired by The Spoon Theory, by Christine Miserandino, an excellent explanation of what it's like to live with invisible illness. Read More…

Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor. I do not claim to be a doctor. I do not play a doctor on TV or the internet. I simply share my experiences and what has worked for me. We are all different and before you try any new treatment, exercise, supplement, etc you should talk with your doctor (the real one, not the one on TV).

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