10 best gifts for chronic illness

10 best gifts for those living with chronic illness

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more details. A few weeks ago I shared my favorite spoonie items that I can’t live without, but today I’m sharing the best gifts for chronic illness. After hearing from other spoonies about what products they rely on I’ve added several new items to my…Continue reading 10 best gifts for those living with chronic illness

what self care means when you have a chronic illness

What self care means when you have a chronic illness

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned because of chronic illness is the necessity of self-care. Self-care is vital when you have a chronic illness because you can’t help anyone else if you don’t help yourself. I learned this the hard way when I first got sick. I stretched myself to my limits and…Continue reading What self care means when you have a chronic illness

when doctors don't want to listen to their patients

When doctors don’t want to listen to their patients

It’s no secret that I dislike doctors and don’t trust them because they don’t listen to their patients. I have a whole category on my blog entitled “doctors suck” after all. A lot of people wonder how I can dislike doctors when they are thoughtful, educated, and selfless human beings who are just trying to…Continue reading When doctors don’t want to listen to their patients

how the opioid epidemic hurts people with chronic pain

How the opioid epidemic hurts people with chronic pain

The opioid epidemic hurts people with chronic pain THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AMERICA’S ADDICTION TO OPIOIDS HOW BAD IS AMERICA’S OPIOID EPIDEMIC? HOW TO STOP OPIOID ADDICTION THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IS RIGHT HERE     These are just some of the scare headlines that flash across the news every single day in the US. The media…Continue reading How the opioid epidemic hurts people with chronic pain

5 ways to cope with fibromyalgia fatigue

5 Ways to Cope With Fibromyalgia Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of Fibromyalgia, and it’s probably the symptom that I personally struggle with the most. It is all-encompassing and can quickly take over your life, leaving you little to no control. Fatigue is hard to understand, which is why people with Fibromyalgia are told to “just sleep more” or…Continue reading 5 Ways to Cope With Fibromyalgia Fatigue

7 harmful myths about chronic pain

7 Harmful Myths About Chronic Pain

Myth #1– Taking pain medication makes you an addict Fact:  There is a difference between physical dependence and addiction. Addiction involves compulsive cravings, inability to control use, and use despite potential harm and self destructive behavior. Physical dependence occurs when the body becomes used to the presence of a drug. Many substances – such as nicotine, sugar, and anti-depressants can cause…Continue reading 7 Harmful Myths About Chronic Pain

Practicing self care with chronic illness sounds like an oxymoron, but it's necessary. Learning to prioritize yourself and set boundaries is key

Practicing self care with chronic illness

Self care with chronic illness always feels like an oxymoron, but what is self care? The WHO 1998 definition is: ‘Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten),…Continue reading Practicing self care with chronic illness

7 ways to distract yourself from pain

Pain often takes over everything, it demands to be felt. Despite what the people who think pain isn’t real think, pain acceptance does not make the pain go away. So here’s a few suggestions that might help to distract you from the pain for a short time. A relaxing salt bath A bath can be…Continue reading 7 ways to distract yourself from pain

Is fibromyalgia fake? 5 fibro myths debunked

 You may have landed on this page because you googled “Is fibromyalgia fake” looking to confirm that someone in your life is a lazy hypochondriac. Well unfortunately for you ( but fortunate for them) fibromyalgia is real. Now don’t get me wrong, Fibromyalgia is overdiagnosed. Many people who have chronic pain issues end up getting…Continue reading Is fibromyalgia fake? 5 fibro myths debunked

10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness

10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness

10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness 1. People are both better and worse than you think Illness tends to bring out the best and the worst in people. You find out very quickly how awesome some of your friends and family are. People will be there for you that you might have never…Continue reading 10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness