Find out how I became The Disabled Diva, accepted my conditions, and more in this piece I wrote for Healthline. If anyone would have told me in my 20’s that I’d be writing about living with multiple chronic illnesses in my 40’s I would have laughed. I’ve been experiencing various symptoms since the age ofContinue reading “Why I call myself The Disabled Diva”
Tag Archives: fibromyalgia
PainKare
In this chronic pain product review, I put the PainKare Patch to work! Did it relieve my pain? Find out what I liked and disliked.
Living while waiting instead of waiting to live
Living while waiting instead of waiting to live Have you put your life on hold as you wait for a cure or relief? Are you hesitant to make plans because you aren’t sure of how you will be feeling physically? Not only have I done that very thing, but am currently fighting the urge toContinue reading “Living while waiting instead of waiting to live”
Ten pitfalls of using a wheelchair at Disneyland
Ten pitfalls of using a wheelchair at Disneyland Some people think that those who use wheelchairs at Disneyland get on rides faster and/or have it easier than other guests. However, that is far from the reality. Using a wheelchair at Disneyland is tough, especially for those who don’t use one often. In this post IContinue reading “Ten pitfalls of using a wheelchair at Disneyland”
Mobility aids, everybody uses them.
Accepting that I needed to use a mobility aid meant acknowledging and accepting my disability. Here’s why I had nothing to be ashamed of!
Pain Acclimation and Relief Relativity
You know the phrase “It’s all relative”? Well, that is how I explain my ever-changing tolerance to higher pain levels and how my definition of relief continues to change. Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my Disney obsession if you use these links to make a purchase.Continue reading “Pain Acclimation and Relief Relativity”
My Review of Mo’s Dream Cream and Pain Stick
I was skeptical about trying out Mo’s Dream Cream and Pain Stick. While I have tried many natural products in the past that provided little or no relief. I have had allergic reactions to many as well. In this review, I share my experience with this product. This post is sponsored by Mo’s Dream Cream.Continue reading “My Review of Mo’s Dream Cream and Pain Stick”
Renting a Wheelchair From Disneyland Versus an Outside Vendor
There is much to think about when choosing whether to rent a wheelchair from Disneyland or an outside vendor. For guests that don’t use a wheelchair on a regular basis yet need one for extended outings, choosing where to rent a wheelchair can be confusing. To help you decide, I compiled this list of prosContinue reading “Renting a Wheelchair From Disneyland Versus an Outside Vendor”
My review of FibroSleep
Do you suffer from Fibromyalgia and find it hard to go to sleep at night? You are not alone! FibroSleep is a product that may help you.
PillSuite Review
PillSuite is an answered prayer for those who take medication on a daily basis. No more hauling around bulky pill dispensers or bottles.
Facing Setbacks with a Positive Attitude
2016 has not been the kindest to me in regard to my physical pain. I started the year with a severe cluster flare (several conditions flaring severely simultaneously). I spent the first two and a half months with all or some of my conditions continuously flaring at some level. I finally caught a break aContinue reading “Facing Setbacks with a Positive Attitude”
Realistic Expectations
When making plans it is important to keep our conditions and limitations in mind at all times. It took me close to 10 years to accept my conditions and to begin planning my daily life around them and a few more years until I began planning outings and vacations with them in mind. Here are a few tips to help you plan your next getaway:
Vacation Downtime
In the past, I was on the go from the moment I left home to go on vacation until the moment I arrived home. After chronic illnesses entered my life, I began scheduling downtime prior to and following my trips. However, this was not enough after my condition progressed. In the past year, I haveContinue reading “Vacation Downtime”
Living multiple lives.
Originally this post was going to be called “Living a double life,” but then I realized that I don’t just lead two lives; I live multiple lives. What I mean by this is that my life, when going through a flare, is totally different than when my Psoriatic Arthritis is in remission, and my remissionContinue reading “Living multiple lives.”
Starting the New Year a little later than I had planned
Happy New Year? What? Is everyone done celebrating the New Year? Unlike everyone who celebrated the New Year on the first of January, I wasn’t physically or mentally up for celebrating it until last weekend. Just before Christmas, my psoriatic arthritis started coming out of remission. At the same time, a few of my otherContinue reading “Starting the New Year a little later than I had planned”
Spoonies are like snowflakes, each has a different story to tell
Recently a fellow spoonie posed a question online. She asked if she should share the details of her struggle because some people have rudely questioned her disability. They say that she is just fishing for attention. Anyone who suffers from chronic conditions like Fibromyalgia, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus, Lymes, MS, Endometriosis, etc.… knows that the struggleContinue reading “Spoonies are like snowflakes, each has a different story to tell”
Why I would suggest Disneyland over Disney World to someone who suffers from chronic pain.
It is no secret that I love Disneyland. Besides the magical memories made with family and friends, Disneyland provides me with physical and mental therapy. Because of this, I never hesitate to suggest a Disneyland vacation to my friends that suffer from chronic pain. However, I am not as quick to suggest they go toContinue reading “Why I would suggest Disneyland over Disney World to someone who suffers from chronic pain.”
Doctor Appointments That Do More Harm Than Good
Whether someone suffers from chronic pain or not, I feel it is safe to assume that most people see their doctors for two reasons. The first is to stay healthy, and the second is to find answers and get well. The last thing we expect is to leave that appointment physically feeling 10X worse thanContinue reading “Doctor Appointments That Do More Harm Than Good”
Insult or Compliment?
When someone says “You don’t look sick“, do you take it as an insult or a compliment? Personally I take it as an insult and here is why. 1. “You don’t look sick” is an accusation, not a compliment. Those words accuse the person in pain of being a liar. If people who haven’t aContinue reading “Insult or Compliment?”
What they don’t see
After almost two weeks of suffering from my muscles attacking my spine and neck, last night I felt like I was finally on the upswing. I could feel my muscles relaxing and my joints popped whenever I moved my body. I sounded like a bowl of rice krispies. With less pressure on my neck, my brainContinue reading “What they don’t see”