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 opioid hysteria and moral panic worsened the opioid crisis

How opioid hysteria and moral panic worsened the opioid crisis

A moral panic is happening in the United States right now, and it’s the so-called “opioid crisis” or “opioid epidemic” that pops up daily in the news. Reporters can be heard lamenting that the sky is falling and that anyone and everyone is addicted to prescription drugs. Of course, we know that isn’t true, but…Continue reading How opioid hysteria and moral panic worsened the opioid crisis

How racism in pain management endangers the lives of Black Americans

Racism in pain management has been around since the beginning of medical care, but thanks to the opioid crisis, it’s really ramped up in the last few years. It’s become so prevalent that now doctors are patting themselves on the back because they’re “saving” Black people from the opioid crisis by being racist. Doctors racist…Continue reading How racism in pain management endangers the lives of Black Americans

Disabled Women in History: Frida Kahlo and life with chronic pain

This week’s disabled woman in history features the incomparable Frida Kahlo who lived with chronic pain. From the beginning of her life to the end, Frida was a force. I enjoyed every single minute of my research on her. I felt her physical pain, her emotional sorrows, and her triumphs. Frida was someone with lots…Continue reading Disabled Women in History: Frida Kahlo and life with chronic pain

Rosemary Kennedy was Rose and Joe Kennedy's oldest daughter. Because of oxygen deprivation when she was born she lived with disability. Her parents, not wanting anyone to find out the Kennedy's had "bad blood" allowed a lobotomy to be performed. This lead Rosemary to be profoundly disabled.

Disabled Women in History: Rosemary Kennedy and the Lobotomy

Today’s story features a Kennedy you may not be familiar with. Rosemary Kennedy was disabled and was President (JFK) Kennedy’s younger sister. This is a hard story to get through. I was reading and taking notes in bed next to my spouse and I kept scoffing, yelling at the book, and writing notes like “THIS…Continue reading Disabled Women in History: Rosemary Kennedy and the Lobotomy

How the opioid crisis can lead those with chronic pain to suicide

1 out of 10 suicides is due to chronic pain, and yet the link between chronic pain and suicide is often ignored. Furthermore, no one connects the opioid crisis to chronic pain suicide even though they’re all related to each other. Society demands that pain be concealed I’ve long struggled with finding the words to…Continue reading How the opioid crisis can lead those with chronic pain to suicide

When you're newly diagnosed with Fibromyalgia it's hard to know what the right medication is for you. Here are 8 of the top medications prescribed by doctors for Fibromyalgia

What are the best medications for fibromyalgia?

Disclaimer: This content should not be substituted for medical advice. Please seek the advice of your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. The content in this posts links to many NIH studies, but I am no expert on these topics. This blog  is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute…Continue reading What are the best medications for fibromyalgia?

Many politicians think that chronic pain is the cause of the opioid crisis. Yet, cracking down on pain patients has only increased overdoses of illegal opioids.

Why politicians are wrong about the opioid crisis

Dear politicians in Washington, The opioid crisis was not caused by chronic pain and yet you seek to punish people in pain anyway because we’re the convenient scapegoats. I’ve written dozens of articles about the opioid crisis previously, but it has clearly not reached you so I’m begging you to listen this time. What you…Continue reading Why politicians are wrong about the opioid crisis