With the constant hysteria about the “opioid epidemic” getting treatment for chronic pain is getting more and more difficult. Often people in pain are accused of being drug seekers and told they just need to get over their pain. Of course, those of us who have experienced pain know that there are no easy answers.…Continue reading 7 simple ways to distract yourself from pain
Tag: Invisible Illness
To the person with chronic illness who feels invisible
I know it feels like no one thinks about you and that you’re invisible because of your chronic illness. I know it feels like no one cares or even notices when your illness forces you to disappear for a while. I know you carry a heavy burden that no one else sees. You carry the…Continue reading To the person with chronic illness who feels invisible
5 ways chronic illness makes you awesome
No one who knows me in real life would ever call me an optimist. I consider myself a realist which means if something is positive, yay! However, I’m not going to pretend something is awesome when it’s not. This is why I tend to shy away from “my illness is totally empowering” “my life is…Continue reading 5 ways chronic illness makes you awesome
I’m not faking being sick, I’m faking being well
As someone with a disability, I’m not faking sick, I’m faking being well. I was reminded of this the other day when I received the strangest compliment. I was told that I am a professional organizer when it comes to my illness. It was pointed out to me that I put a lot of mental effort…Continue reading I’m not faking being sick, I’m faking being well
5 things not to say to people with chronic illness
When you have a chronic illness you tend to get the same reactions from people over and over again. As much as you try to remember that most people have good intentions being regularly put into a position where you have to defend your illness is exasperating. Here are some suggestions for what not to say…Continue reading 5 things not to say to people with chronic illness
Invisible illness: when people can’t see your pain
This week is Invisible Illness week, and so I’ve been thinking about what it really means to have an invisible illness and chronic pain. While everyone’s experience is different, this is what invisible illness is to me: Invisible illness is being pressured into doing things you’re too sick to do Invisible illness is being…Continue reading Invisible illness: when people can’t see your pain
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
Why no one cares about chronic illness, part 3
Read my much angrier part 1 and part 2 for background context of this post. I’ve learned a lot about humanity through having a chronic illness. When you’re sick you really see the best and the worst of human beings. I have been on the receiving end of some wonderful service, and I have also been…Continue reading Why no one cares about chronic illness, part 3
To the person with chronic illness that feels like they can never measure up
I know it feels like no one thinks about you, the quiet person in the corner who just looks a little tired. No one notices how hard you try or how much effort you put into pretending you’re okay. Sometimes it feels like they only notice you when you make a mistake, or when your…Continue reading To the person with chronic illness that feels like they can never measure up
You can’t just “try harder” when you live with chronic pain
People with chronic pain are constantly told that they need to try harder or put more effort into fixing their pain. For example, I found myself walking out of a meeting recently. It wasn’t a situation where anyone was trying to be insensitive or judgmental, and I wasn’t being criticized. Everyone speaking had the best…Continue reading You can’t just “try harder” when you live with chronic pain