By Jeannette - Within the chronic illness community we speak a lot about the importance of visibility. We discuss the need to self-advocate, to have our rights heard, and the importance of speaking out against stigma, especially when you have an illness that has debilitating symptoms that impact our interactions with the world, but aren’t always … Continue reading The Vulnerability of Visibility
By Winslow -With the rising prices of pharmaceutical medications, a great deal of people are searching for more natural solutions to treat their migraines. Below is a list of herbs thought to be beneficial in the treatment of migraine headaches. *Disclaimer: This list is not to be used to diagnose, treat or manage any condition. … Continue reading 5 Herbs That May Treat Migraine
By Liza - "Fibromyalgia symptoms are only about 30% amenable to current pharmaceutical strategies on the market." This is according to Kathleen Houlton, PhD, MPH, lead author of Potential Dietary Links in Central Sensitization in Fibromyalgia. Given that statement and the current estimate of about 5 million people struggling with fibromyalgia (and no doubt the … Continue reading Fibromyalgia and Nutrition
By Wanda - Do you make lists? I do. Tons of them. So many lists! Contacts, recipes, shopping lists, allergies, to do lists, appointments, doctors, medications, surgeries, conditions, test results, books to read, health studies... I make SO many lists! So, medications -- 27 at the moment. Some daily, some as needed, some I’d rather … Continue reading Chronically Fabulous at Fifty
By Jorie - For 18 long months I planned, and planned, and planned my perfect dream wedding. I thought the day would never come. My now-husband, Trey, proposed to me in January of 2017 and as soon as the ring hit my finger I hopped on Pinterest searching for inspiration, joined Facebook wedding planning groups, … Continue reading How I Survived My Wedding as a Chronically Ill Bride
By Jeannette - On social media I often see fellow patients with chronic pain and illness, questioned and put in the position where they have to explain how they can have a bit of beauty, joy, smiles, and soul shine, while they are sick and in daily pain. Apparently, a smile must negate pain. I … Continue reading You Are Allowed To Live With Pain & Still Shine
By Sarah Faith - Chronic pain drains your energy, leaving you exhausted. It keeps you from being productive. It turns your life inward. It causes isolation, depression, loss of hope, and even loss of motivation to get better. First you give up and then eventually even begin making excuses above and beyond your actual limitations, … Continue reading My Journey to Self Care & Self Discipline
By Wanda - In 2010, Botox (onabotulinum-A by Allergan) was approved by the FDA as a treatment to prevent chronic migraines. Chronic migraine is defined by the FDA as affecting at least 2% of the population -- those people having at least 15 migraine days a month. This was a historic step forward for those … Continue reading Looking Back on My 9 Years of Botox for Migraine
By Dana - Migraineurs and spoonies quickly learn that change doesn’t operate on a schedule. Treatments work until they don’t. Doctors order new medications or regimens. Migraines and pain flares occur even with the best management programs. Patients often find themselves working to adjust to a different course of treatment, only to find they have … Continue reading Handling the “Next Normal”
By Kristie of HopeVsHeadaches (Guest Blogger) - Hindsight is a wonderful thing, right? When I was in the midst of suffering from chronic migraines it was hard to make sense of it all, but as the pain began to disappear, I was able to reflect on how I broke free. So today I wanted to share … Continue reading 3 Secrets To Becoming Migraine-Free I Wish I Had Known Sooner
