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 “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

Receiving a Fibromyalgia diagnosis can be overwhelming since there is a lot of controversy and there is no cure, but here's some tips on finding the right treatment for you

The ultimate guide to Fibromyalgia and how to treat it

Receiving a Fibromyalgia diagnosis can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, while there is no cure there are Fibromyalgia treatment options. I’m fairly confident that in the last ten years I’ve tried most of them! Some work better than others, and each answer is individual, but a Fibromyalgia diagnosis is not a death sentence. So here’s…Continue reading The ultimate guide to Fibromyalgia and how to treat it

Florence Nightingale is famous for her nursing during the Crimean War, but many don't know she also a disability and spent much of her life bedridden. Was her illness Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or Myalgic Encephalitis?

Disabled Women in History: Florence Nightingale and Fibromyalgia

Florence Nightingale and Fibromyalgia seem like an unusual parring, but May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and it’s time to raise awareness of Florences’ Fibromyalgia like symptoms that disabled her for most of her life. She was a hero and inspiration to many women through nursing, but no matter how hard she worked, doctors still said…Continue reading Disabled Women in History: Florence Nightingale and Fibromyalgia