People in pain know what works for them and what doesn't. It's time for unsolicited advice (have you tried yoga?) to go away.

All the yoga in the world can’t make chronic pain disappear

Nothing like the sweet ring of “have you tried yoga?” in the ear of somebody with chronic pain. What these people miss is while yoga is great, it can’t fix chronic pain. Why? Because pain controls everything. It controls: -what I do – what I eat – when I sleep – my relationships – my…Continue reading All the yoga in the world can’t make chronic pain disappear

Fibromyalgia is extremely painful because there are so many different types of pain that are possible.

How is Fibromyalgia so painful and what does the pain feel like?

I’m often asked if Fibromyalgia is as painful as people say, and if so what does that pain feel like? It’s not an easy question to answer because Fibromyalgia and the resulting pain are complicated. However: Yes, Fibromyalgia is incredibly painful It’s not one type of pain, there are multiple ways of feeling that pain.…Continue reading How is Fibromyalgia so painful and what does the pain feel like?

How to live with TMJ disorder as a side effect of Fibromyalgia

I’d never heard of TMJ until I had Fibromyalgia and started seeing the two words paired together. It’s not surprising as Fibromyalgia is one of those illnesses doctors rarely explain correctly because they’re too busy to pay attention. One of those random symptoms is TMJ or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). What is the TMJ (temporomandibular…Continue reading How to live with TMJ disorder as a side effect of Fibromyalgia

How “Dopesick” misinformation is killing people with chronic pain

Dopesick is killing people with chronic pain.  In the last six months, things have spiraled out of control with regards to the opioid crisis hysteria. The release of “Dopesick” has created armchair addiction and pain experts. They believe Dopesick is a documentary even though it’s an entertainment show. Don’t you dare tell them that though, they’ll…Continue reading How “Dopesick” misinformation is killing people with chronic pain

Sometimes it's the little things about living with chronic illness that annoy you. There's nothing like yet another person trying to sell you a magic cure, or tell you that you're not trying hard enough.

How the absurd little things annoy you when you have a chronic illness

Life with chronic illness can be stressful, weighty, and overwhelming, but sometimes it’s the absurd little things that annoy you. Life has been a stressful mess the last year and a half, so I figured it was time for some chronic illness humor. Here are a few things that annoy me the most, with sarcastic commentary…Continue reading How the absurd little things annoy you when you have a chronic illness

Having a positive outlook will not cure your chronic pain, that's toxic positivity. At best, it will help you to survive your pain, at worst it will put you into denial about your situation and keep you from getting appropriate treatment. 

How chronic pain is brushed away by toxic positivity

Toxic positivity is now the premier coping mechanism touted for dealing with chronic pain. Doctors have decided that pain is all in the attitude, and if someone is in pain, they’re not being optimistic enough. This has horrifying results for people in pain whose doctors are blaming them for their own suffering, and telling them…Continue reading How chronic pain is brushed away by toxic positivity

How the Ugly Laws were designed to keep disabled people out of sight

Today first takes us to the lovely Portland Oregon where we’re learning about “The Ugly Laws” that were created to stop disabled people from being seen in public and “obstructing the roadways.” For people with visible disabilities, this history will not sound surprising, considering how entitled the public feels to comment on the way disability…Continue reading How the Ugly Laws were designed to keep disabled people out of sight

Heat intolerance and temperature sensitivity can be annoying and disruptive symptoms of Fibromyalgia that no one takes seriously. Yet, they can have a significant impact on your life, so why do they happen?

How heat intolerance can be an annoying and overlooked symptom of Fibromyalgia

Heat intolerance and temperature sensitivity are often overlooked side effects of Fibromyalgia. They don’t kill you except in the most extreme situations, so doctors don’t typically address them. Or if they do address them, they simply advise you to stay inside and avoid the sun. Unfortunately, it’s never that simple. Heat intolerance itself has its…Continue reading How heat intolerance can be an annoying and overlooked symptom of Fibromyalgia

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female doctor in the U.S. and England. She lost an eye in an accident, but spent her whole life denying her disability.

Elizabeth Blackwell: The disabled doctor that hated sick people

I’ve known about Elizabeth Blackwell for a long time, but what I did not know was that she suffered a serious eye injury while practicing medicine and became disabled. That injury changed the trajectory of her life, and possibly the trajectory of medicine as she taught the world that women were capable human beings. I…Continue reading Elizabeth Blackwell: The disabled doctor that hated sick people

Wellness culture preys on women with chronic illness who have been rejected by the sexist medical system. Wellness culture convinces women that they can cure their diseases if they just try hard enough, and that is toxic.

How wellness culture is toxic for people with chronic illness

Wellness culture is toxic for people with chronic illness and chronic pain, and many chronic illness blogs and influencers get sucked into the culture and spread it with the best of intentions. They arrive so excited to talk about their illness, but slowly over time, they realize that chronic illness is a very niche topic…Continue reading How wellness culture is toxic for people with chronic illness