Life with one or more chronic illnesses is tough. Yet each year we expect our pain riddled bodies to keep up with the ghosts of Christmas or holiday past. Here are a few suggestions to help you survive the holidays!
Within a few months of seeing me for psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia, my rheumatologist could see how much I was struggling to walk any distance. In fact, it was he who suggested that I get a parking placard for my car and handed me a form with his signature to get one asap. What was strange is that he never discussed use of a mobility aid.
There two forms of self-care. There’s the fun kind that everybody likes and the not so fun kind that feels more like work than a good time. Today I am sharing the importance of both and why they should be discussed with newly diagnosed patients.
I can’t imagine anyone likes asking for help. I know I don’t. But as the pain and fatigue from fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis increased, I had no choice but to give in. I often wonder if it would have been such a painful process had I been warned at the time of my diagnosis. My guess is that….
I was caught off guard by the changes that took place in regards to my relationships with others. As a stay-at-home mother and wife my role was to care for everyone. But that all changed after my body was hijacked by fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis.
To expect millions of people who are as different from each other as the sun and moon are to find relief from one, two, or even three options is absolutely ridiculous! What we need are pain management plans that address us individually, not as group.
The problem is
For doctors and patients to have a better understanding of how the disease progressing, what could be triggering symptoms/pain, and the impact it is having on the patient’s life they both need to see the full story, not just one day or week of the patient’s life.
Let’s talk about sex!
Chronic pain from fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis will destroy your sex life unless you are willing to accept and make changes.
What needs to change?
Things that may need reevaluating are:
Our prescribed treatments aren’t going to help if we are struggling with our mental health. Reasons why therapy is important after receiving a chronic illness diagnosis.
Receiving a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease is overwhelming. There is so much to take in, especially if you have no knowledge about your diagnosed disease and weren’t expecting it.
You’ll be both comfortable and the hit of your Thanksgiving celebration in these fun tees!
How many times have had an appointment with a new doctor only to have them ignore, dismiss, or laugh at your symptoms and concerns? What if you could interview doctors before scheduling an appointment?
The pain scales used in hospitals and doctor’s offices may be a useful tool for people of average health, but they are utterly useless when it comes to conveying the pain experienced by those of us with fibromyalgia.
The day I received my diagnosis of fibromyalgia is also the day I formed a love/hate relationship with it. It was a hot summer day in Arizona when I received my diagnosis. I entered my doctor’s office with hope of finding out why I felt like crap and what could be done to make me feel better. Little did I know that only one of those would come true.
Living with fibromyalgia is more than painful.
It is frustrating and often embarrassing.
This wretched chronic illness has caused embarrassing moments from the beginning.
Today I am sharing seven of my most embarrassing fibromyalgia symptoms.
This month we are scaring up healthy habits! No tricks just a bag full of treats for your body and mind.
The Disabled Diva’s Product picks for Sept. 9-13 2019
The Disabled Diva’s Product picks for bathroom safety!
This week’s product picks were chosen to help you get around with less pain!
Everyone likes hearing that they did a good job or that their work made someone else’s life better, right? Sure, but when you have been continuously doubted, made fun of, or shamed because of your chronic illness, accepting a compliment isn’t so easy.