It’s time for another chronic illness gift guide. We’re heading into the holiday season, and as someone who can never remember when people ask me what I want for Christmas, I figured I would make a list (but not check it twice). This is a collection of my favorite chronic illness products, so hopefully, you…Continue reading 2017 Chronic Illness Holiday Gift Guide
Category: coping
5 tips for faking chronic illness (it’s just that easy)
Faking chronic illness is not nearly as easy as people think, it actually takes a lot of time and preparation. Before you undertake this project, here are a few tips to keep in mind. 1. Make sure you’re faking a real chronic illness Don’t pick a fake illness like Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, or Lyme Disease.…Continue reading 5 tips for faking chronic illness (it’s just that easy)
People with chronic pain did not cause the opioid epidemic
Chronic pain did not cause the opioid epidemic. So many people are uncomfortable with how often I address the “opioid epidemic” and how it hurts people with chronic pain. It’s just so easy to blame marginalized populations for complicated problems because they don’t have the resources to fight back. The myth of health as a…Continue reading People with chronic pain did not cause the opioid epidemic
How to find comfortable shoes when you live with chronic pain
Finding the right shoes for chronic pain feels like a futile mission. Last week I was going somewhere I needed to dress up for. After I chose what dress I’d wear (the most comfortable one of course) it came time to pick out the shoes. I debated between vanity and comfort. I have some really cute…Continue reading How to find comfortable shoes when you live with chronic pain
4 surprising ways chronic illness can change your life
Chronic illness has changed my life in many ways, there is no doubt about that. Most of the changes were fairly obvious, but recently I noticed a few changes I made without even knowing. Some of these changes are funny, some of them are not, but as usual I try to look at all of…Continue reading 4 surprising ways chronic illness can change your life
5 questions to ask yourself before you say yes
Learning to say no is one of the most difficult parts of living with a chronic illness. No one wants to be considered selfish and uncaring because they never help out a friend or a family member, but when your body has limitations you cannot do everything that is asked of you. It’s especially difficult…Continue reading 5 questions to ask yourself before you say yes
7 simple ways to distract yourself from pain
With the constant hysteria about the “opioid epidemic” getting treatment for chronic pain is getting more and more difficult. Often people in pain are accused of being drug seekers and told they just need to get over their pain. Of course, those of us who have experienced pain know that there are no easy answers.…Continue reading 7 simple ways to distract yourself from pain
The 4 biggest lies you’ll hear about life with chronic illness
So much of what you hear about chronic illness is lies or obfuscation. You’re constantly being hit with all this information, and not all of it is accurate. You’ll hear things from doctors, friends, family, and even other people with chronic illnesses that just aren’t true. Here are the lies I’ve heard the most. 1.…Continue reading The 4 biggest lies you’ll hear about life with chronic illness
What it’s like when pain never goes away
Some people are under the impression that pain is something that can be conquered. That if you just try hard enough you can beat it and live a normal life. So I thought I’d share a few snapshots from my life with chronic pain. After all, life with chronic pain is absolutely the best, and…Continue reading What it’s like when pain never goes away
What to wear when your clothing causes pain
When you’re living with chronic pain, every piece of clothing you wear has the potential to cause pain. One of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia and chronic pain is skin so sensitive that even the slightest touch causes pain. Many people can develop such hypersensitive skin that it’s difficult to find the right clothing to wear.…Continue reading What to wear when your clothing causes pain