How the medical system fails people with chronic pain

Because of the opioid epidemic chronic pain is something of a hot topic these days. However, in these discussions the lives of people who live in constant pain are often overlooked. This is because the medical system is set up to fail  people with chronic pain. Here’s just some of the ways the medical system…Continue reading How the medical system fails people with chronic pain

5 pain management techniques for chronic pain

Top 5 most effective pain management techniques for chronic pain

This post includes affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy for more details With the latest obsession about the “opioid epidemic” doctors and politicians are increasingly phasing out medication as a treatment for pain. Most often they like to point out that there are a number of coping techniques that people can use to deal…Continue reading Top 5 most effective pain management techniques for chronic pain

how to deal with people who don't believe you're sick

How to deal with people who don’t believe you’re sick

One of the hardest parts of living with an illness is the emotional toll it takes when people don’t believe you’re sick. It’s hurtful when people think you’re faking, exaggerating, wimpy, or just need to take antidepressants. This is compounded when you have an invisible illness and people are always telling you, “but you don’t…Continue reading How to deal with people who don’t believe you’re sick

surviving the hurt and pain that comes with chronic illness

Surviving the hurt and pain that comes with chronic illness

Hurt and pain come with chronic illness. It’s that old feeling of never being right, of never being enough. It creeps on you in the middle of the night. It creeps on you in the middle of a difficult flare. It creeps on you when you let your guard down and let yourself feel for…Continue reading Surviving the hurt and pain that comes with chronic illness

10 hilarious things overheard at the doctors office

Like many people who live with chronic illness I find myself at the doctor’s office more than I would like. I absolutely loath going there because it takes up all my energy and wastes an entire day. It’s also not even helpful to go, I only go to get medication refills. It’s basically just throwing…Continue reading 10 hilarious things overheard at the doctors office

top 10 chronic illness posts of 2017

Top 10 chronic illness posts of 2017

I like to share the top chronic illness posts of the year, every year. 2017 has been another interesting year here on Chronic Mom. Every year I go back and forth on whether to keep blogging. I’ve been doing it since 2011 and I always wonder if I’ve run out of things to say. However,…Continue reading Top 10 chronic illness posts of 2017

12 days of chronic pain christmas

12 days of chronic pain Christmas

1 Painful flare Life can be hard enough when you live with chronic pain, but getting through the holidays can be even more stressful on the body. Too many things to do, too much pain to do them.   2 Heating pads Life with chronic pain is dependent on heating pads. I currently own two…Continue reading 12 days of chronic pain Christmas

What the pain acceptance movement misses about life with chronic pain

What the pain acceptance movement misses about chronic pain

Anyone who lives with chronic pain is aware of the backlash against opioids for chronic pain and the treatment of pain in general. This backlash has emerged because of the so-called “opioid crisis” which puts the blame on people in pain instead of the dangerous illegal drugs on the street. Some doctors are now taking patients…Continue reading What the pain acceptance movement misses about chronic pain

5 gifts people with chronic pain really want this year

I’ve already shared by 2017 Chronic Illness Gift Guide, but there are so many non material gifts that people with chronic illness really wish they could receive. 1. To be taken seriously Having a chronic illness is not only difficult physically, it’s difficult emotionally. Many people with chronic illness are accused of faking by their…Continue reading 5 gifts people with chronic pain really want this year

managing the holidays as a parent with chronic illness

Managing the holidays as a parent with chronic illness

The holidays can be a rough time period for everyone. There’s so much to do it’s easy to feel stressed, hurried, and overwhelmed. It’s even harder if you have a chronic illness and you have to deal with the limitations of your body. Often we can barely make it through the typical day so the…Continue reading Managing the holidays as a parent with chronic illness