How to start an exercise routine when you have Fibromyalgia

How to start an exercise routine when you have Fibromyalgia

This month the Fibro Blogger Directory is running a series on answering questions about fibromyalgia that readers have sent in. One of the readers asked this question: Can you please help explain how I can get started with exercising – I want to but can’t get up off the lounge most days and can’t even…Continue reading How to start an exercise routine when you have Fibromyalgia

9 things to help with winter and chronic illness

9 things to help you cope with winter and chronic illness

This post includes affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy for more details. One of my most popular posts ever is about managing fibromyalgia with heat and humidity. I felt eminently qualified to write that post because I basically live on the sun (if the sun had 99% humidity). I’ve never before written a post…Continue reading 9 things to help you cope with winter and chronic illness

when your body needs rest, but your life won't let you

When your body needs rest, but your life won’t let you

This blog first came about in 2011 because I was a parent with young kids, and I found that much of the advice about managing chronic illness didn’t apply to me. I couldn’t pace, exercise, or sleep like I was told to because my kids weren’t (and still aren’t) like the TV children who magically…Continue reading When your body needs rest, but your life won’t let you

7 tips for reducing stress when you live with chronic pain

Living with chronic pain causes stress, thanks to the “just get over it,” attitude put forth by doctors and politicians. Of course, it’s never that easy. Living with chronic pain has long term side effects that we often don’t discuss. One thing that most people don’t realize about living with chronic pain is how stressful it…Continue reading 7 tips for reducing stress when you live with chronic pain

9 things people with chronic illness don't have time for

9 things people with chronic illness don’t have time for

One of the most aggravating part of living with a chronic illness is navigating other people’s expectations and opinions. It’s incredibly draining and can actually make chronic illness worse. I came out with a blog post called shit I don’t have time for a few years ago, but I felt like it was time for…Continue reading 9 things people with chronic illness don’t have time for

how to survive a chronic illness flare up

How to survive a chronic illness flare up

Living with the unpredictability of chronic illness is incredibly stressful and the possibility of a chronic illness flare adds to that stress. You never know how you’re going to feel on a certain day. You have a tiny bit of control of your health through pacing, sleeping right, and eating right, but for the most…Continue reading How to survive a chronic illness flare up

5 tools to relieve chronic pain without pain medication

5 tools to relieve chronic pain without pain medication

This post includes affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy for more details. A while back I wrote a post called “5 tools for chronic pain.” A lot has changed in my life and in my health since then so I thought it was time for an update. I’m a big proponent of allowing people…Continue reading 5 tools to relieve chronic pain without pain medication

how to find the right doctor to treat your chronic illness

How to find the right doctor to treat your chronic illness

Finding a doctor willing to treat a chronic illness can be a long and difficult process. Finding a doctor who will believe you and take you seriously is easier said than done, and it’s even harder to find a doctor willing to treat an illness with no cure. In my personal experience, it took me…Continue reading How to find the right doctor to treat your chronic illness

to the person with chronic illness who feels like they're never good enough

To the person with chronic illness who feels like they’re never good enough

 The feeling of being never good enough sneaks up on you. I know it feels like no one thinks about you, the quiet person in the corner who just looks a little tired. No one notices how hard you try or how much effort you put into pretending you’re okay. They don’t notice that you’re…Continue reading To the person with chronic illness who feels like they’re never good enough

when having chronic pain means you're labeled as an addict

When having chronic pain means you’re labeled as an addict

I’m told that I am an addict because I have chronic pain, even though that is no longer the correct term for people experiencing addiction, and chronic pain has nothing to do with addiction. In the interest of full disclosure, I thought I’d share what a typical day for a chronic pain “addict” looks like.…Continue reading When having chronic pain means you’re labeled as an addict