Everything you need to know about chronic pain in 2020

2020 has definitely been a strange year. I’ve spent so much time at home or wearing a mask in public that I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been. Despite that, my chronic pain has continued to be out of control, and I don’t think I’m the only one. Of my top posts in 2020, almost all of them are about living in pain, one way or another. I have to wonder if this is connected to the opioid hysteria.  I’ve collected all the popular posts about chronic pain this year so that they’re all in one place for reference.

1. Top 5 reasons Fibromyalgia is the best “fake” disease

This post is back in the #1 spot after being number two for the last few years. The reason it’s so popular is not because people with chronic illness or Fibromyalgia have shared it, it’s because of google. It’s a top hit for “is fibromyalgia fake” google search, for which I take great pleasure.

 

*See also How I fake my Fibromyalgia symptoms

2. The relationship between Fibromyalgia and allergies (rhinitis)

This is an old post from 2015 that I re-did to make more thorough. The original post didn’t have as much research as I would’ve liked, but I must not be the only one struggling with this problem. The incidence of allergies (rhinitis) is about 4-5 % higher in those that have fibromyalgia. One theory says it’s because part of the central sensitization or how the body magnifies pain signals.

See also: How to start and exercise routine with Fibromyalgia

3. Managing Fibromyalgia in heat and humidity

Living in a hot humid climate sometimes feels like torture, and I’m not alone there. For many heat and humidity cause swelling, pain, and misery. Thank goodness air conditioning was invented.

• See also 9 things to help you cope with winter and chronic pain 

4. What to wear when your clothing causes pain

This is a 2017 post that continues to be popular. I even wrote an updated post this year that has some tips for less painful winterwear for Fibromyalgia.

One of the hallmarks of Fibromyalgia and chronic pain is skin so sensitive that even the slightest touch causes pain. Many people can develop such hypersensitive skin that it’s difficult to find the right clothing to wear. While ideally we could all accommodate our bodies by walking around in just a fluffy robe (or nothing!) that’s not very realistic.

One of the hallmarks of Fibromyalgia and chronic pain is skin so sensitive that even the slightest touch causes pain. Many people can develop such hypersensitive skin that it's difficult to find the right clothing to wear. Click To Tweet

 

• See also How to find pain free clothing when you have fibromyalgia 

5. The side effects of chronic pain no one talks about

I think this post is popular because so many people are suffering in pain thanks to the opioid hysteria. There have been some discussions by doctors, politicians,  and the CDC about how people with chronic pain should get over their pain by accepting it and using “nonpharmacologic therapy” such as massage, or physical therapy. This often leaves people in chronic pain with no treatment, and the effects of the lack of treatment for long term chronic pain are not something that doctors and the CDC ever address.

 

*See also A myth, not chronic pain is at the roots of the opioid crisis

6. 8 surprising items everyone with chronic pain needs

I’m not exactly sure why this post was popular this year, but I’m not about to complain. My most important item on the list is my kindle (affiliate link) it’s so much easier to carry than the heavy books I read.

Living in constant pain has serious side effects. Sometimes you just get tired of being sick and hurting all the time. Click To Tweet

*See also Pain awareness and being called to be brave 

7. What to do when you’re tired of being in pain

I’m sure this was popular this year because of the many people who are suffering in pain and have been left with no options. Being sick is hard everyone has times where they’re sad and cranky. Living in constant pain has serious side effects. Sometimes you just get tired of being sick and hurting all the time.

 

*See also Is kratom a revolutionary treatment for chronic pain?

8. 5 tips for cleaning with chronic pain

Keeping your home clean when you have chronic pain seems like a endless exercise. It’s just hard, even if you’re lucky enough to not have other people running around and making ginormous messes, like it my house. When cleaning with chronic pain remember to:

• Do a little at a time
• Use the right tools
• Prioritize rooms
• Delegate as much as possible
• Reduce clutter

*See also How to benefit from decluttering when you have no energy

9. 7 surprising ways to exercise with chronic pain

I had no idea this post was popular this year. I imagine many people clicked on it thinking it was serious, when the whole post is just sarcasm because exercising with chronic pain is a joke.

*See also Finding strength when you live with chronic pain 

10. How to cope with sensory overload with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain

I discovered that there was a name for my symptoms just this year. I also learned that I’m far from the only person to experience symptoms of overstimulation and sensory overload. Whenever my pain levels gets really high I cannot stand touch, loud noises, smells, or temperature changes.

Touch sensitivity is a big part of chronic pain and is why wearing clothes hurts and the lightest touch can cause pain Click To Tweet

 

*See also How to find the best Christmas gifts for chronic pain